The Importance Of The Father-Daughter Relationship

The Father-Daughter Relationship

The father-daughter and the father-son relationship sets the precedence for how the children will grow up and become. The bonding process is crucial for the psychological development of the child. The psychological development includes; their mental and emotional well-being. On the other hand, when the foundation of the child’s upbringing lacks the vital bonding process, it sets the tone for future emotional and mental health problems.

The Lord has written principles parents should follow when raising children.

Bible Principles To Follow

Ephesians 6:4 AMP – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 AMP – Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],

Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:15 AMP – Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;

The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.

Proverbs 29:15 AMP – The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 13:24 AMP – He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].

Deuteronomy 6:7 AMP – You shall teach them diligently to your [a]children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.

Proverb 29:17 AMP – Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;

Yes, he will delight your soul.

These Bible principles are clear about how we should bring up our children. Children need to grow up to be emotionally, mentally, and spiritually sound. God has given us guidelines on how to raise children. According to the Bible principles, there are certain things parents have to do to raise healthy children.

Here are guidelines you can follow in raising your children as dictated in the word of God to bring up emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy children.

Don’t exasperate your children to the point of resentment.
Don’t show favoritism to your children. Love all your children equally.
Bring up your children tenderly with lovingkindness, in the discipline and instruction of The Lord.
Teach your children to seek God’s wisdom.
Sometimes a child may lack good judgment when they stray from instructions; administering correction using godly wisdom, lovingkindness, and discipline will remove foolishness far from them.
Disciplining your children will give them wisdom; allowing them to have their own way will bring shame to you.
Teach your children diligently about God. Teach them how to love The Lord with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their strength.
Lovingly correct your children, and they will give you comfort and they will bring delight into your life.

When we follow these principles, we will raise children who will be psychologically developed and grow spiritually, knowing the ways of God.

Studies have shown that the parent-child relationship, most notably the father-child relationship plays a crucial role in the child’s psychological development.

What Is Psychological Development?

Psychological development develops human beings’ cognitive ability, emotional ability, intellect, social capabilities, and overall functioning in life. For example, our cognitive ability helps us with our reasoning and problem-solving. Also, our emotional well-being helps us with our moods and sense of self.

For example, a healthy father-daughter relationship helps the little girl grow into a woman who has a healthy sense of who they are, more confidence in themselves, healthy self-esteem, and sets healthy boundaries.

What Happens During The Bonding Process?

The bonding process (a very crucial process) nurtures the child’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and social development. The bonding process is between the ages of 0 years to 21 years old. During this process, there is psychological development happening, as well as spiritual development. In addition, emotional bonding with the parents, especially the father, builds the child’s self-esteem.

Bonding includes:

Spending quality time with the child.
Showing lots of affection to the child
Building trust.
Instructing them in The Lord.
Disciplining them when needed.
Healthy affirmation helps the child build healthy self-esteem.
Doing activities with the child.
Communication
Lots of laughter

In conclusion, the bonding process is vital for the psychological and spiritual development of the child.

What Happens When The Bonding Process Is Broken In The Father-Daughter Relationship?

Not having a bonding process affects the child emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. In addition, this lack of bonding process often creates psychological problems that affect the child throughout their life until they seek help through therapy. Psychological issues can also hinder a person’s relationship with God.

The Two Types Of Upbringing – Home A And Home B

Home A

Quality bonding time with children
Parents who affirm their children in a healthy way
Good communication
Emotionally available parents
Discipline in the proper manner
Teach children about the fear of God
Supportive parents
Setting healthy boundaries

Home B

Emotionally detached parenting
Disapproving parents
Lack of communication
Dismissive parents
Direct or indirect rejection
Verbal abusive
Physical abusive
Parental invalidation
Strict/authoritarian parents
Parents who are indifferent
Unsupportive parents
Parents who don’t affirm
Direct or indirect neglect
Abandonment

These Are The Effects Lack Of Father-child Bonding Does To A Person

It affects their psychological development.
Also, It creates emotional issues such as low self-esteem, validation, insecurities, hopelessness, inability to create boundaries, and poor decisions in life.
In addition, It creates mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, fear, PTSD, narcissism, OCD, and separation anxiety.
Also, It may affect their relationship with God.
In addition, It affects their interpersonal relationships.
Also, It affects their overall outlook on life negatively.

Men Should Seek Therapy If You Need Help Healing Emotionally And Mentally

A child’s emotional, mental, and spiritual development starts at home. The father’s role is critical; hence men must seek therapy if they believe they have their own psychological problems before they begin to raise a family. The Lord calls on the father to train the children; how a father relates to his daughter will set her up for healthy future relationships; likewise, how a father raises his son will set him up for a successful future.

The nurturing and training from the father in the home are essential because a father’s influence in his child’s life is crucial for their psychological and spiritual well-being. For example, suppose there are cracks in the child’s emotional development. In that case, that child grows up with emotional and mental problems such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, unhealthy fear, insecurity, anger, addictions, and validation issues.

In addition, when there are cracks in their emotional development, it makes it easy for people to be susceptible to trauma later in life. And, because there are psychological cracks in a person’s life, people look for ways to fill those voids by turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drugs, alcohol, excessive shopping, unhealthy/abusive relationships, and work-obsessed.

What Is Trauma?

Going through very stressful, frightening, or distressing events is called trauma.

Examples Of Traumatic Experiences

It can be a one-time stressful event

Repeatedly hearing negative words or phrases

Verbal abuse

Mental abuse

Sexual abuse

Physical abuse

Lack of communication

Emotional detachment

Gaslighting

Rejection/abandonment

Strict parenting (authoritarian)

Absent parents

A sin that opens doors to demonic spirits that afflict people

Generational curses

Trauma is a negative event that affects our minds and our emotion. Your body then goes into survival mode (eliciting the fear response) to protect itself.

Psychological Symptoms Of Trauma

Fear

Anxiety

Depression

Inhibitions

Anger

Bitterness

Resentment

Low self-esteem

Low self-confidence

Validation issues

Impatient

Separation anxiety

Lack of self-control

PTSD

Boundary issues

Co-dependency

Loneliness

Abandonment issues

Rejection

Hopelessness

Insecurity

Jealousy

Envy

Worry Doubt

Pride

Arrogance

Unforgiveness

Kleptomaniac

Slander

Impulsive lying

Compulsive

Hatred

Prone to Stress

Psychosis

Compulsive cheating

Pessimist

Gaslighting

Addictions

Identity crisis

Phobia

Healing From Emotional Trauma

Once an individual has healed from emotional trauma, there is a drastic turnaround in that person’s life. There is a newfound meaning to life. The person exhibits behaviors such as

Hope – Things turn around for the best

Gratitude – Appreciation

Peace – Calm

Joy – Feeling of affection

Serenity – State of peacefulness

Inspiration – Uplifting experience

Confidence – Sense of high-esteem

Individuals who heal from emotional trauma begin to exhibit these positive emotions. It propels them to step out into a new sense of life, identity, and purpose in life. As a result, there is a dramatic shift in their attitude toward themselves, their family, their career, and their relationships.

How To Work Towards Becoming Emotionally Healthy

Emotionally healthy people can manage their feelings, emotions, minds, and cope with life’s challenges, and bounce back from trauma. Depending on the effects of the trauma growing up, you may have to seek therapy or counseling. Working towards emotional health and well-being may look different for each individual. So, therapy or counseling will benefit your healing because your therapist will create a personalized healing plan to help you heal mentally and emotionally.