A Father’s 11 Promises To His Daughter – A Must Read For Dads

A few years ago, Brene Brown (a long time researcher on shame, guilt and human connection) brought parenting manifestos into the international spotlight, after writing a parenting manifesto that made Oprah cry.

But parenting manifestos aren’t a new fad, and they’re not just written by mothers either.

Many years ago, Graham White decided to sit down and write a manifesto for his first born child, who is now a beautiful young woman.

What compelled him to write such a thing?

“Before my first daughter was born, I felt like I had failed – failed to create a life I wanted, failed to achieve my potential and failed to create security for my family. I was determined that I would do whatever it took be a success as a father. I knew that it took more than positive intention. So I began to read, study and think about the areas of life a father touches and is responsible for in the life of his children. I refused to fail at this part of life. It was this which was behind the promises I made,” Graham explains.

Forward to today, he’s a father in a blended family of seven amazing children, aged between 7 to 24.

Here are the 11 promises Graham made to his daughter in a touching manifesto.

A Father’s Promises

I promise to teach you the importance of doing the difficult things first.

I promise to support your talents and interests and help you discover the special gifts you have to offer this world.

I promise to encourage you to take risks and open your mind to new ideas and possibilities.

I promise to participate with you in a healthy lifestyle and live a life of social grace & emotional intelligence that you are inspired to model.

I promise to support you in discovering your purpose and sharing that unique value in a way you find personally and financially rewarding.

I promise to exemplify the way a man should treat a woman by the way I treat the women in my life.

I promise to remember that you have your own valid feelings and inner guidance.

I promise to set firm boundaries and hold you accountable for your actions, but give you enough room to learn to make your own wise choices.

I promise to be there when you suffer loss and celebrate with your success and to tell you the things that I am proud of you for.

I promise to attend your events, find activities we enjoy together and to spend time finding out what is important to *you*.

I will allow you the freedom to fail, I will forgive your mistakes and apologize when I’m wrong.

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Simple promises like Graham’s significantly help to create a loving, connected relationship, sealed with trust and safety. What promises will you make to your daughter – or son? Follow Graham on the Facebook page, What Evolved Women Want.