Dear Dr. Meg,

I am the father of a beautiful 8-year-old girl who means the world to me. She is our only child (at present), and I wanted to ask you how best I can nurture and protect her heart as she grows up. I want her to grow into a strong, confident woman who knows how loved and valued she is and how she should be treated by others – especially by the men who she will eventually have in her life. Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated!

– Adam

Dear Adam,

You sound like a wonderful father! The very fact that you are asking how you can best love your daughter shows me how dedicated you are to raising a strong, amazing girl. She’s very lucky to have you.

Here are a few things to consider as you move forward in your parenting journey –

1. The love a father gives his daughter is her introduction to male love. It is her reference point. You have other female loves in your life, but she doesn’t have other male loves when she is young. Every man who enters her life will be compared to you; every relationship she has with…