How can I be a good father and role model?

Question

I know there is not handbook to life, but what the heck, I might as well just ask this question. I love my gf and we are going to move in together soon. She has a four year old daughter and I don't want to become the "evil stepdad." As of right now, the daughter and I get along wonderfully. She always hugs me when she sees me and we play together, etc. I have never really been very firm with my girlfriend's daughter, however. My gf and I discussed this and my gf said that it's okay for me to discipline her daughter (give time outs), etc, if I feel she is getting out of hand. I just want to be loving, but I have never been a father. I always compliment my gf's daughter when she does a good job at something, and I encourage her to do good things, etc. What else can I do to be a good father? I want to provide a loving environment for both my gf and her daughter, but this is a big step for me. I've never lived with a woman before, let alone a single mom.

Answer 1

You're doing just fine," DAD""! The fact that you care, tells me you're going to be the best Dad imaginable.

Answer 2

Please take a parenting class, with your gf. One thing I will let you know now, is as the "step" parent, you are to be the good guy-the mom, being her mom, is to do the disciplining. The only time I could see you doing time outs, is if you are alone with her for a few hours. It's great that you encourage the little girl when she does good. Stay with that. That is what helps to keep from having time outs. Also, just talking with the girl, more on her level will help. I believe in explaining things to children, especially little ones. That is one way for them to learn. By the way, I'm glad you asked this question. I had an instructor in college who said, "the only stupid question is the one that is not asked". I wish you well. Take care.

Answer 3

You will be a great step dad to her i feel. I really admire you for wanting to be such a great dad and step up to the plate for this precious little girl. There should be more real men like you out there. I was a single mom when I met my current husband and i had 3 kids at home when he married me and he was never married before or even has kids of his own. He is a great dad to these kids and a wonderful husband as well. Yes discipline her as long as it is okay with her mother. Discuss and agree upon discipline techniques with your gf and make sure you are both in agreemen with them. I sure hope everything goes great for you and your new and upcoming family and hopefully someday you will marry her and make a wonderful couple till death do you part. Good luck to the both of you and here comes hugs to all of you today. You are already on the way of being a great dad! It may also help and be beneficial for you and your girlfriend to take parenting classes as well.Congratulations!

http://www.drphil.com

Answer 4

Keep up the good work, and don't become a disciplinarian overnight. I would suggest slowly easing into it, it's not an easy task, and even less easy to hold your ground when her little eyes are welled up with tears and she claims to hate you because you won't let her play in the traffic. Just know that you are doing what is best for her, and in time the parenting thing will be like 2nd nature. Believe me, I have a 2 year old, and even parents who have born the child themselves have no idea what they're doing half the time, so don't feel alone...

Answer 5

Go to stepparenting association of america's website. You'll find all kinds of advice there on how to be a good step dad. You are very lucky that the girl is so young. Step parenting older children is much more difficult. For your sake I hope the child's birth father is accepting of your relationship with her and her mom and not a pain in the $#@.

Answer 6

You're trying way too hard and stressing about this way too much so relax. Concentrate on being the best boyfriend and companion you can be for your girlfriend, the other details will fall into place naturally. Besides, trying "too" hard where the stepdaughter is concerned may come across strangely to your girlfriend. I'm pretty sure she's more concerned about how much you love *her* rather than how much you love her daughter.

Answer 7

Be good to her mother; give her hugs and kisses; I wouldn't suggest you and your girlfriend move in together unless you plan on staying ...like in getting married....

Answer 8

Assalamu alaykum fairly prophet Muhammad became right into a stable place type for fathers and likewise husbands and leaders. consequently the author Michael H Hart has entered Muhammad because of the fact the 1st one among a hundred leaders who've been evaluated because of the fact the main influential persons in historic past in his e book called "The a hundred:A score of the main Influential persons in historic past" He enjoyed all of his better halves and taken care of them nicely fairly and gently.He respected and enjoyed and likewise helped his better halves.He became into recognised as a stable father by utilising all of his little young little ones consisting of Fatimah..in line with hadith he prayed and permit his grand toddler Hassan on his returned so his flow in praying became into so slow.He became right into a great chief who became into depended on by utilising all of his shahabahs He became into additionally stable commander in the conflict He became into enjoyed by utilising all of his human beings/followers and likewise became into respected by utilising his enemies

Answer 9

I'd say be consistent. Don't use profanity or bad language around the kid. Don't get drunk around the kid. Be aware of what you say and do in front of her, set the example.

Be fair but hold firm to whatever standards you set.

Answer 10

well first of all don't drink smoke or do other drugs cause thats not a person you want to look up to and why are you babysitting why your girlfriend is at work don't you have a job who wants to look up to a person with no job