We would do anything for our daughters’, yet now it seems our daughters want nothing to do with us…
Sample Exercise
One exercise that could be done at a live event for dads and daughters is a "My Story" activity, designed to promote understanding and empathy between fathers and daughters. The exercise could be broken down into the following steps:
Set the stage: Begin by introducing the exercise and explaining its purpose, which is to help fathers and daughters understand each other's experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
Share stories: Ask each father and daughter pair to take turns sharing a story from their life, either from childhood or more recent experiences. The story could be related to a particular challenge they faced, a happy memory, or a significant event in their life.
Active listening: After each person shares their story, the other person should practice active listening, which involves paying close attention to what the other person is saying and responding with empathy and understanding.
Reflection: After both father and daughter have shared their stories, provide some time for reflection and discussion. Ask questions like "What did you learn about your daughter/father through this exercise?" or "How did this exercise make you feel?"
By engaging in this exercise, fathers and daughters can deepen their understanding of each other's experiences and build stronger connections based on empathy and mutual support. It can also help to break down barriers and foster open communication, which is crucial for healthy relationships.