Can some one e-mail me good advice on starting a father-daughter relationship w/my daughter after 7 years?

of absence I have not had the chance to get to know my little girl after a bitter divorce she is almost 8 years old and have just seen her for the first time in 5 years two days ago. Mother is wanting to work it out for the sake or her I'm caucious and of course I still Love her mother always have but am more concerned for my daughter and self at finaly becomeing a family, we live 4 hours apart and I will sacrafice what ever nessesary to see her any advice???Can some one e-mail me good advice on starting a father-daughter relationship w/my daughter after 7 years?
Well, I think for starters, you must put yourself in your daughter's shoes.





This is a bit strange and confusing for her, I'm sure. On the one hand, this must be an answer to her prayers. She's probably dreamed of having a daddy and here it is happening. But at the same time, you're strangers and that would be awkward for her.





But she's 8 years old so she can't sort all this out. So my first bit of advice is to be respectful of this basic fact.





Recognizing this, the range of personality in eight year old girls is wide. Some are timid and shy and some are friendly and outgoing and there's everything in between. Depending on where she is on that scale, my advice would be different. So you need to consider what kind of little girl she is and apply that to placing yourself in her shoes. This process is going to guide you in how to approach her.





I think it's cool that you and she have this opportunity to share fatherhood together. There is nothing more special in my view, no greater honor than to be able to be a daddy to a little kid.





Do not buy things for her. Give her your TIME, not your possessions. You can't buy anything for her that will be more valuable than your time with her. So make that your major focus.





Do not take her to amusement parks or other Disney Land Dad types of activities. Take her for walks on area bike trails or the beach or just go to the park and sit on the swings with her and talk. Be a real daddy not a phoney daddy. Phoney daddys buy kids off with flashy crap that has no substance. A real daddy will give his time, love, care, and concern. He won't worry about being cool or what a kid will think of him. Be real and she will love you and you will create a life long view for her of what a good man is.





Your job is sooooo important. Do your best. You are who she will remember when she goes to choose a man to marry. You will be her standard for how a man should treat a woman. So take your role very seriously.





Be true to yourself, true to her, honest with her. Talk a lot and share who you are. This is how she finds out who she is.





Take care my friend. There is no greater honor.Can some one e-mail me good advice on starting a father-daughter relationship w/my daughter after 7 years?
If you have a YMCA in your town or hers, check into the father/daughter adventures program. Our daughter is 34 yr old and still enjoys talking about the great times we had.
Take it slow real slow. She needs time to comprehend what is going on around her, so bowling up and saying ';hi, I'm your Dad'; will not cut it.





Spend some time with her and your ex, don't overstay your welcome and let your ex help her to ease slowly into a conversation about you.





When the conversation does take place, be there but in the background, not saying anything until the time is right.
Always be honest with her. Never down her mother in front of her. Be there for her when she needs you. If she calls you and you can't answer the phone make sure you call her back that day. Make sure you call her just to say hi and how are you?


Maybe send her some flowers let her know you are thinking of her for no reason.
Little girls like attention (well women in general) call and visit as often as you can. Call her the first thing in the morning and right before she goes to bed.
be a father of integrity- do what you say your going to do and no excuses, be there for her- school activities, sports, band whatever, whenever. never tell her your going to do something and then don't do it- never. kids will say its OK i understand, but in reality they don't and can't because they are not adults. everything you do or don't do shows your love and how important they are to you-- in their eyes. good luck-- been there with two daughters myself- ever want to talk e-mail me
I think you've gotten some great answers there. The only thing that crossed my mind was that getting her little gifts here and there I think is actually a good thing. I wouldn't consider myself a materialistic female at all, but nothing melted my heart more when I was little than unexpected thoughtful little gifts that told me my dad was thinking about ME. It was never stuff I asked for, just stuff that showed me that he was listening to me, or noticing me. I liked the go slow idea... take her lead. Every little girl wants a daddy in her life. There is NO substitute. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
I think that you should start looking for job opportunities close to your daughter and make that a top priority.





From here on out, the key is going to be consistency. If you continue to get to know her on a half-*** basis, she will start to resent you.





This is a really good age to start building a relationship.