I'm a single father raising my baby girl, how do I raise her not to be a tomboy?

Answer 1

find a female friend and let her have a girl day.
my friend is going through the same thing.
and thats what he does.
and the lil girl, thanks she a princess:-)

Answer 2

Do you know how many women are claiming to be teachers and they can't even assemble a shelf and screw it onto a wall.
By women,I mean females over 20. A woman or a girl is not any less feminine. If she can't fix her own bike, replace a car tire, assemble something,fix a sewing machine, hold a drill correctly,
make an intricate work of art. Hopefully, she won't turn out to be a bimbo like Paris Hilton or Britney Spears or those booring Sex in The City type of women.
So,don't worry about her becoming a tom boy. Wouldn't you rather have a wife who's a tomboy than a bimbo ?

Answer 3

Oh barf...you want her to be one of those helpless mall rats who can't do anything because her nails are wet?! ;-)

Seriously, she'll be who she is. if you're worried that you can't help her with feminine stuff *if* she wants it, then call in grandma or an aunt. If you have female friends that you know will be around (not a girlfriend, if you breakup that could be ugly later) you could ask them to become a mentor to her for her life. I think it's awesome that she'll have a dad who is so involved that she'll never have to worry about a male rolemodel. Girls develop their ideal of the perfect husband from their fathers, so that's a lot of pressure :-)

Tomboys usually are a phase that every girl goes through, and some choose to remain adventurous and outgoing, some move into more feminine pursuits. My seven year old just told me last month that she "couldn't decide who she was...a princess or a tomboy" When I asked her why it was important to choose one or the other, she said she didn't have to, she was just who she was. that's the best answer you could hope for!

Answer 4

You don't really have much say in that. Your daughter's personality is already set. Just let her be herself and make sure she has good female role models. You might consider putting her on the waitlist for Big Brothers/Big Sisters or some other mentoring program.

I am the oldest of Four girls. We all have the same mom and dad and were raised with both parents in the home.

I was afraid to get dirty and was afraid to do anything where I might get hurt, but I have always hated wearing anything other than jeans and a t-shirt

My oldest sister liked to wear frilly dresses but she also was a tomboy and often ripped her pretty clothes playing kickball with the boys.

My next sister was quiet and liked to do woodworking and other crafts and tended to wear whatever would draw the least attention to her

My youngest sister was a social flower who gets along with just about everyone. She also was very charming and able to get herself and others out of trouble.

What's more, we are all very different people now than when we were kids.

Answer 5

I guess my question back to you is "What's wrong with her being a tomboy?"

I'm a tomboy and I love it! My husband does too! He never wanted a "trophy wife." I love to go outside and get dirty - it doesn't matter if we are building a fence, planting the vegetable garden or playing football in the mud and rain with the neighbors. And I figure my son will appreciate it too when Mom can build him a way cooler tree house than Dad OR when Mom teaches him how to change the oil and filter on his car while giving it a tune up!! =)

I don't think that being a "tomboy" means that she will sacrifice any of her femininity. For example, I HATE to dress up, but will bit the bullet and do it when the occasion calls for it. I would prefer to run around in jeans and a ripped t-shirt, but I can't always do that.

And therein lies the key. My parents didn't try to curb my adventurous spirit or my need to compete with the boys (did I mention that I am a goalie for the men's ice hockey league???), however, they DID stress the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behavior (i.e. belching at the table, picking my nose, dressing up when necessary, etc.)

So, I don't think the question is about raising her NOT to be a tomboy, but more raising her to know right from wrong, what appropriate behavior is vs inappropriate behavior, etc. If you love her, cherish her and teach her that she is valuable and wonderful and special and unique (etc. etc. etc.) you will raise a successful, confident, well adjusted young lady.

Besides, I think it's important for any young woman to be able to take care of herself - be able to mow the lawn (and fix the lawn mower when it breaks), be able to patch a hole in the leaky roof, fix her own car (or at least know enough about her vehicle to NOT get "taken" at the mechanics) and also know how to roast a turkey for Thanksgiving. My Dad raised both of us girls to be able to be self-sufficient and not have to rely on anyone (man or woman) to take care of ourselves.

And what more could a proud Daddy want?

And just as an aside, I'm the tomboy and my sister is definitely into the clothes and the make up and the fashion...HOWEVER, she will throw down with the best of them!!

Answer 6

I'm having the same problem. My daughter is only a month old but people have been telling me to have her bond with a female friend or something. Being a tomboy is in their genes. There is nothing that you can really do about it. Just try to have her spend time once in a while with a female friend, family member, your mum, or someone that can help you. The only thing that you can do is treat her like a girl and tell her that you think she is pretty and things like that. It will help encourage her not to be a tomboy. I don't know how old your daughter is but try to get her into dolls and things like that. It will help her not to be a tomboy in some aspects. Good luck.

Answer 7

Congrats to you. Just raise her with lots of love and make sure she knows she can talk to you, no matter what the issue.
She may decide she wants to be a tomboy, or she might become a girly-girl. Having a single father raise her really won't influence her that much. My niece is a tomboy, and she was raised by both mother and father.
It's more important that she feel loved and secure in who she is.

Answer 8

My mom used to make me wear dresses. Gave me dolls. We did dress up with makeup. It didn't work. At about 8 years old. I turned into a tomboy. You can't stop a child's personality or prevent it. Raise her to the best of your ability and be proud of her no matter what.

Answer 9

It is great that you are raising your daughter on your own. But don't worry she won't be a tomboy because Daddies spoil there little girls.And as long as you treat her like a girl and not a tomboy you won't have a problem. It wouldn't hurt to have a little female influence around.

Answer 10

Truthfully you can't decide that. I understand what you're trying to say. You don't want her belching at the table or anything lol* Think is, children are given a personality. You can see them start to develop it at 6 months are so. There's not too much you can do about it. Just love her and let her know you think she's pretty.

As she gets older she may need guidance on female things, such as puberty. If you don't feel like you can handle it let her talk to your mother or another female friend, or even a friend of hers mother. I'm sure someone will be willing to help you explain to her what's happening to her

Congrats and good luck. I think that's awesome you are taking resposibilty of your daughter!

Answer 11

i have 2 girls 1 is a tomboy and the other is the girly girl.
let her be who she's going to be. she'll grow out of some tomboy stuff and possibly become a girly girl. i noticed my tomboy wearring make up the other day. who does she have for influences that's female. .you'll get along alot better if you let her
be who she's going to be just gide her in the right directions.
nothing wrong with tomboys their just tougher.