Life to Her Years

Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

Few things in life are more comforting than a hug from dad. Never forget this.

Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good she’ll ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the presents. She will remember if you weren’t there.

She’ll eagerly await your return from work each day. Don’t be late.

When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

It’s in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She’ll still break your bank as a teenager.

Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

Intelligence will take her way further in life than beauty. Make sure she knows this.

Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday a “beauty” magazine or Hollywood will try to convince her otherwise.

Teach her the difference between right and wrong. She’ll learn more from your example than anything you say.