5 "Easy" Steps to Decoding Your Daughter
Michelle Watson
I recently got to write a guest post for my friends at myfatherdaughter.com. Since it's right along the same topic as my book, which was released TODAY and can be ordered here, I thought I'd share a snippet of this guest post with you! Follow the link below if you'd like to read the whole thing!
5 "Easy" Steps to Decoding Your Daughter
(Now and then we have a guest post by a friend to this blog. Over this last year, we came to know Dr. Michelle Watson. She is doing phenominal work with Dad’s and is excited to share some thoughts with us. Also, see the note below announcing her first book which is being released TODAY! A great READ and should be picked up by eveyone who has a daughter)
Before I dive into clarifying this blog title I figured a little backstory might be helpful. I am now in my fifth decade of life (which is crazy because I don’t feel that old!), the oldest of four girls, and have spent my entire adult life ministering to girls and women in various contexts. All this basically means is that after more clock hours than I can count I have a pretty good idea of what we girls want from the men in our lives, particularly our dads.
I often hear fathers tell me that their daughters are complicated and complex, especially when they hit adolescence. I do get that but want to say something that might shock you: we’re really not all that “un-figure-out-able.” (Insert laughter). I’m hoping to give you a few pointers that literally come from one story in Scripture that will assist you in decoding your precious girl, particularly in those times when things are emotionally intense.
I’m sure you’ve heard of two sisters, Martha and Mary, who were dear friends of Jesus. This means he knew them and they knew him. Up close and personal. For better or worse.
Let’s pick up the story at the point where Martha is overly reactive, super stressed, overwhelmed, and basically freaking out. (Luke 10:38-42). Does any of that ever describe your daughter, especially if she is traveling through “juvenile puberty,” a season that Dr. James Dobson describes as lasting at least five years where high levels of estrogen lead to significantly unstable and reactive moods, thinking patterns, and behaviors?
If you can relate, watch what Jesus (with his male energy) does to enter the fray with his frazzled female friend. 1. He lets her vent to Him while He listens to all of it. Even when she dramatically tells Jesus that he “doesn’t care” (false assumptions always take place during “Category 5” meltdowns), in a self-absorbed way she continues by crying about having to do everything “by myself.” And if that wasn’t enough, she then barks at Jesus and demands that he tell her sister to help her. Excuse me! Doesn’t she know that you don’t talk to the King of the Universe like that?! Now bringing it closer to home: Does any of this sound familiar, especially during those times when your daughter talks to you with that tone or attitude?
To read the rest of the guest post, click here! And don't forget to head to amazon.com and check out my new book! I can't even tell you how excited I am to be releasing this to the world today! Many blessings, friends!