Dads Only

Not sure if it's boy or girl but girl dad checking in here...

My daughter's are 7, 4 and 3. As they get older, not unlike boys they start to develop interests and likes which usually is largely impacted by the parents. My buddies have sons and I don't see a difference in the relationship other than my girls are more affectionate. I think it really comes down to parenting.

My 7 year old plays basketball and swims through our university and plays video games with me. Last year we built some yard games with lumber scraps. She used the drills while I used the saws.

My 4 year is starting to join in now too. Work to be done at the cottage? Guess who's now on my heels to help? She gets legitimately pissed if I go to home depot without her so I now have to schedule those trips while she's awake.

My 3 year old is exactly that. 3 years old, a tornado toddler and a bit of a bully. But I'm excited to see what she starts latching onto. She's already wanting to tag along to home depot although she's more of the cuddle and read a book type (someone else said read to them everyday, highly recommended)

At the end of the day, I think girls / boys doesn't really matter too much. It's what you put into the relationship with them that matter most. I'd say it starts around the 2-3 year mark. Include them in everything you do.

On that note, I'm going to go downstairs and lift weights tomorrow morning with....you guessed it. All three of my girls. (I built them some wooden play weights that the little two use. My 7 year old is now old enough for 5's and cable machine as well as the play weights). Their attention span for lifting lasts like 3 minutes and then they go play. But they're not only allowed to be there, but encouraged to join me.

Your kids will benefit from the bonds you create with them from shared interests and spent time, not gender.

I've finally been able to get out the Lego I have been keeping since I was a kid and they love it. So much so 30% of Christmas gifts this year were Lego!