Comment on So you grew up with a dad who didn’t know how to express love? Here’s how it could be affecting you today by Sarah Best.
Dear Anthony,
Thank you for your question. My heart goes out to you, and your daughter, for the extremely challenging circumstances in which your relationship began. I think it’s a credit to both of you that you managed to establish a bond, and an understanding.
The best advice I can give you is to tell your daughter how much it would mean to give her away at her wedding, but emphasise that while it would be the greatest honour for you, the decision is hers, and you will respect it whatever it is.
As this could be emotionally charged for both of you, consider writing to her about it rather than putting her on the spot in person. That way, you have time to compose exactly what you want to say, and she has time to consider her response without pressure.
I wish you the very best of luck with this, and with your ongoing program of recovery. I think that if you ask this question in the right way, then even if you don’t get the answer you’re hoping for, your daughter will still be incredibly touched, and it will be a huge positive for your relationship going forward.
Sarah
Sarah Best Also Commented
Thank you so much for sharing that.
Yes, it is devastating to miss the love of a father.
And it’s not made any easier by the fact that this is so little talked about and understood.
But for what it’s worth, in the four years since I began writing about this topic I’ve heard from SO many women who feel just as you do.
That’s why I started my free email series on the father-daughter relationship, which is designed to answer the very questions you posed, and which I see you’ve signed up for. I hope you’ll find it helpful.
Thanks again for the share.
Sarah x
Thank you so much for sharing all of that. I hear you and for what it’s worth, since I started writing about this topic four years ago I’ve heard from many women in similar situations who feel just as you do. That’s why I started a free newsletter, full of info and tips for women who are dealing with a challenging, painful and/or non-existent father-daughter relationship.
If you’d like to receive that you can sign up here.
Sarah xo
Are you signed up to receive my (free) Father Daughter Factor emails ‚Ä쬆those are ALL about healing the relationship and one of the topics I’m going to covering soon is the very one you asked about: “at what point is it okay to cut ties and say enough is enough?” You can sign up here.
Sarah xo
Recent Comments by Sarah Best
Eat less, live longer
Thank you, Daniel. And agreed. Fellow Dr Fuhrman fan here 🙂
14 keys to thriving as a Highly Sensitive Person
That’s wonderful to hear, and thank you so much for the share.
My new favourite brand of natural perfume
Great to know, Shelda! 🙂
The deadly drug in your kitchen
Thank you for commenting, Miriam. I’d forgotten that I recommended agave in this article and I’ve made a note to revise it, as I have since revised my views – very much in line with what you wrote, in fact! I blogged about that here: http://www.sarahbesthealth.com/is-agave-syrup-a-healthy-alternative-to-sugar/ I still consider brown rice syrup a great choice since it’s essentially fructose free. As for research on the impact on emotional and mental wellbeing of consuming a high-sugar diet, I couldn’t agree more! And I personally think that what’s come out on this so far is just the tip of the iceberg 🙂
14 keys to thriving as a Highly Sensitive Person
I can totally relate, Ariel, and I couldn’t agree more!
