Do Fathers Love Their Daughters More Than Their Wives? (Explained)

Do fathers love their daughters more than their wives?

As a father and a husband myself, I can tell you that there is a difference in the feelings I have for my wife and my daughter.

Personally, I don’t think it’s fair to say I – or most guys – love my daughter or wife more than one another.

There are some differences in how I think about and treat them, however, and I can see how this would bring up this question.

Do Fathers Love Their Daughters More Than Their Wives?

It’s an interesting question that doesn’t have a definitive answer, but I thought I’d share my thoughts on it.

For me, there are some key differences in how I relate to my wife and daughter.

My wife is my best friend, partner, and confidante. We’ve been through a lot together and she knows me better than anyone.

I love her deeply and cherish our relationship.

My daughter is still young, but I can see so much of myself in her.

She makes me laugh, she’s smart and independent, and I know she’ll always be my little girl.

I feel the need to protect her, which is a normal and natural feeling as a dad. I also love her dearly, of course, but it’s not the same as how I love my wife.

I think the important thing is that fathers have different relationships with their wives and daughters.

We may not love them in the same way, but we love them both deeply and unconditionally. And that’s what really matters!

Related – Here is why you being a controlling parent is bad for your children.

Should a Father Put His Daughter or Wife First?

No parent wants to be put in the position where they are forced to choose between their child and partner, and it should never come up.

But for the purpose of answering this question, again I have to say it depends on what exactly the situation is.

There are some situations where putting one’s child first makes more sense.

Things like if your child is sick, if there’s some sort of emergency, or if they just need you at that moment.

There is a paternal bond that children have with their fathers. It’s something that transcends seeing their dads, they feel it.

It can be scary for a child not to have their father, or any parent there when they need them most.

And if you’re not there when your child really needs you during their formative years, it can have a lasting effect on them and damage your relationship and the bond you have.

But in day-to-day life, I think it’s important to try to put your partner first.

Or at least take their needs and feelings into account and step up when they really need you.

Being a parent isn’t easy, I’m pretty sure no one has ever said it is!

There are a lot of things to balance at times, all that can be expected of you is that you do your best.

Should a Wife Be Jealous of Her Husband’s-Daughter Relationship?

Ideally, your wife should never be jealous of your relationship with your daughter.

But it does happen.

If anything, a wife should be happy that her husband has such a great relationship with their daughter!

It’s important for children to have strong relationships with both of their parents.

And if the father-daughter bond is particularly strong, it can actually be beneficial for the mother-daughter relationship.

Why?

Well, because it can provide a model for how the mother and daughter should relate to one another.

But sometimes, a mother can feel pushed out if you’re spending too much time with your daughter and neglecting her needs.

So, it’s important you’re able to take a step back and recognize when your wife is feeling like this and take steps to make her feel just as special and loved.

Jealousy is an ugly emotion in any relationship, and it should always be addressed as soon as possible.

If you find yourself feeling jealous of your husband’s relationship with your daughter, talk to him about it.

Signs of A Healthy Father-Daughter Relationship

Some of the signs of a healthy father-daughter relationship that should be encouraged by a wife, not make her jealous are;

• Your daughter is confident and can express her thoughts and feelings freely to her father.
• The father is patient and takes the time to listen to his daughter without interruption or judgment.
• The father shows physical affection to his daughter in a way that is appropriate for her age.
• The father sets clear boundaries with his daughter and is consistent in enforcing them.
• The father is willing and able to talk to his daughter about difficult topics like relationships and other temptations in an age-appropriate way.
• The father is involved in his daughter’s life and takes an interest in her hobbies, activities, and friends without being controlling.
• A father who takes pride in his daughter’s accomplishments and is supportive of her dreams and goals.

In my opinion, there are few things as encouraging and wonderful as seeing a father and daughter with an awesome relationship!

Related – 19 signs to look for that parents do not care about their kids.

Words to Describe a Father-Daughter Relationship

I thought I’d end with some encouraging and powerful words to describe a strong father-daughter relationship:

• Nourishing
• Protective
• Encouraging
• Safe
• Loving
• Fun
• Adventurous
• Paternal
• Bold
• Close
• Respectful
• Vibrant
• Cherished

These are just a few words, but I think they accurately describe the best kinds of father-daughter relationships!

Do you have a strong relationship with your father or daughter? I would love to hear about how your family dynamic works, feel free to leave a comment below.

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Image credits – Photo by Tyson on Unsplash