Can't connect with daughters.

[photobuff42]

Originally Posted by hunterseat

True. But there are horse rescues that will introduce kids to horses. You really needn't purchase one. Although I have. I was up to 4 at one time.

Glad to hear it!

[EvilCookie]

Think of what you would do with a son who wasn't into the stereotypical 'guy' hobbies of camping, fishing, cars or sports?

There are plenty of non-gendered activities that you could do that would still satisfy their feminine side. How about going to galleries or museums? Or getting all dressed up to go to the opera or play in the city? Or ballet - what girly girl doesn't love ballet? What about cooking or even taking a cooking class together? Ask them to help you make a special dinner for their mom, plan the menu together and go shopping for fancy ingredients. Pottery painting? Ice skating? Movies? Going out to eat? Hell, even go shopping with them - ask them to help you pick out some new clothes. I'm betting they would love to give dad a clothing makeover! Be open-minded and have fun trying them on! Let THEM take the lead and choose the activity, don't force it on them - but make it clear you want to do something all together, and be willing to participate.

[Zeurich]

Originally Posted by CSD610

Perhaps being involved in their lives more starting 13, 15 & 16 years ago would have helped.

I think this is it. When you involve with kids when they young and did things together then they are in your life more often for me it look like your daughters grown up with their mother more often DAD figure was not that much in action. I have a daughter from 11. It is the same with her too. Her father was not there for anything did not do anything with her.

[somebodynew]

Originally Posted by Vladias

Would really appreciate some advice as I am at a loss what to do. I have 3 daughters; 13, 15 and 16, and they are all practically clones of their mother who is the type of woman that one could say is high maintenance as in she won't go anywhere without looking her best and always has her hair/nails done etc. etc. It has translated to our daughters who have taken up after her wholeheartedly.

They all read fashion/teen mags and my wife loves taking them to get all the stuff she does done and shopping and all that stuff, which I am not saying is bad or wrong but it leaves little for me to do and believe me I have tried. I have taken them all camping which they hated with a passion, took them fishing which they also hated, tried to do other things but to no avail. I have asked them what they'd like to do and they always say go to the mall or something of that nature.

I have talked to my wife and she just says that's how they are and I can't change it. I am not looking to change who they are and I am glad they all have a great relationship with their mother but there seems little room for me. I do certainly love my daughters but sometimes I do wish I had had a son or at least one of them were a tomboy. Heck just yesterday I was out grocery shopping with my 13 year old and she wanted some fashion magazine which I did get her but I wish she and other daughters were at least willing to do something else.

Lunches and dinners out? My son likes Magic the Gathering. Snore. But he is the kid. I am the grown up. So he shows me his cards. Daughter likes to sing karaoke. Not my fav, but I take my off key and sing with her. While it would be nice if your WIFE met you half way, though not sure how you married someone you had nothing in common with, you cannot expect your kids to. You meet them all the way. Then when there is an actual connection, they might meet you in the middle. Oh and listen more than you talk. Oh how about museums?

[G-fused]

I would like to hear the OP address the question of what he did with the kids at their younger ages. Was it anything? Or did they just lose interest in sports and other things? But OP hasn’t chimed in so it makes me question if this is a real post.

If so, I say to the OP – you married their mother, who they take after right? You must love their mother/your wife right? Or you did at some point. What is it that you two do together? What are your common interests with this woman who is high maintenance? What do you appreciate about her? Etc.

Whatever that is, perhaps you’ll find something similar with your daughters.

Best of luck.