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How can you help your teen daughter show that she still cares for her dad?

Teen girls are often unsure how to navigate communication with their fathers.  Gone are the days when Dad could elicit giggles with his jokes just by being his own silly self. Most of the time a dad may get only an annoyed, “Daaaad, stop it!” when he tries to tease her.

Help the teen in your life maintain a healthy relationship with her father by being a “bridge” to communication between the two of them. For example if your daughter gets dressed up for an occasion, say, “Has Dad seen you in your new dress? Go show him.”

You could also ask your teen to print out a favorite photo of her with her dad and write, “Thanks for being there for me, Dad” on the back. Many teens are unsure of how to demonstrate affection to their parents; writing a message is often easier than having to verbally express their feelings.

Lastly, encourage your daughter (or a friend’s daughter) to be kind to her dad. Even though their relationship is changing, she can always show him that she cares in simple, yet heartfelt ways. Her dad will appreciate it more than she knows.