Super Dad and LuLu survived their “vacation” in Florida. In fact, they did better than survive…they ENJOYED it! LuLu (the quintessential beach baby) convinced Super Dad to spend most of the day on the beach, swimming, building sand castles and exploring for a variety of crabs, sand dollars, and even jelly fish.

And Super Dad, prepared for a daily storm (it rains everyday in Florida…and LuLu has a minor meltdown of her own nearly every day), weathered it all well. He was proud of having “made it” and I know a bit relieved to be home. LuLu herself admitted that she didn’t know if they would “make it without yelling at each other”, but apparently they did just fine.

This success was so important for both of them. I’m a firm believer in the deep importance of father/daughter relationships on the daughter’s self-esteem. I witness this as I’ve watched Super Dad with our three daughters. And I know it well through the relationship my two sisters and I had with our own Super Dad. The time I spent with my own father and the messages I received from him were critical in my developing self-image and how I viewed relationships with boys, my own career potential and women’s place in the world.

And frankly, at our house, Super Dad’s just a lot more fun. He’s the one that will stay in the pool with you for hours playing tag. He is always up for any project, or game, or going to the movies. He is definitely more fun than I am.

Today, I ran across an article where researchers have found that a dad’s relationship with their daughters also increases or decreases the daughter’s interest in math (and science). I found this article extremely interesting in light of our family dynamics. The article says that dads are more likely to buy science and math toys for boys than girls, and that in the families where the dads follow that stereotype, the boys’ interest in math increases; while the girls’ interest in math decreases.

I don’t know if it’s been intentional on Super Dad’s part, or more a way of seeking a common interest, but he has always engaged our daughters in science projects and math games…all three of them. I’m sure he tried to share that interest with our oldest, his only son, too. But things were different for him. He is the creative one…the one for whom art and music are the true interests.

And what about the girls? Well, W is working toward teaching degree to teach math & science to middle schoolers. And LuLu favorite subject is and always will be science. And Kay, the actress and musician extraordinaire? Well, Kay announced last fall that Biology was by far her favorite course of study ever and that science was likely to be her major in college.

So, we’re definitely bucking the trend around here…and producing some very science and math-minded females. And I’d say it’s all Super Dad’s fault!
Dads & Daughters website

An equally interesting article on how raising daughters influences the way dads think.

The Fathers’ Network – a website for fathers of children with health care needs and developmental disabilities.


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