So I wanted to take a break from heavy, angry rants and talk about something more fun. A friend brought up that a lot of parents on Wattpad are single with a teenage daughter (the MC). And I thought that that’s a fun dynamic (and I’m all about incorporating parents more), so let’s talk about:Single Dads and Teenage Daughters

I've made a list of the worst/most embarrasing things about being a teenage girl with just her dad. I hope you enjoy my horrific stories: 

1. First period

It started being just me and my dad the same summer I got my first period and I can tell you it was a horrifying experience. I don’t remember exactly why, but I missed the one day of “sex education” that we had (I think it was fourth or fifth grade, it’s been too many years for me to remember, though) so I knew nothing. My teacher gave me a little five page booklet about periods and I read it cover to cover (and was convinced PMS was a disease), because I wasn’t asking my dad and he wasn’t offering help.

And when it happened I was ready to die. I'm a shy person (bet you couldn't tell!) and even after I learned what to do I don't really talk about periods, but I was clueless and I couldn't not ruin more panties than I had to.

But people are always looking for ways to incorporate humor (and there’s been this obsession with adding more realistic things into stories) so why not go for it? Because looking back, I see how it was probably a kind of funny experience. At the time it was the worst.

So was getting birth control. That was horrible (because I’m telling you, most people think it’s literally just for birth control, but it’s for a lot of things.) But anyway, I actually discussed it with my cross country coach (who of course had to involve my dad) and having two older men coaching you about birth control is about as fun as it sounds.

I mean, my dad was not in any way equipped to raise a daughter by himself. And he totally wasn’t prepared for the feminine hygiene aisle when we went shopping.

I had to go to my grandma’s and she helped me out so much (thank God), but seriously. What’s a guy to do when his twelve year-old daughter is pretty sure she’s going to die of embarrassment if the blood loss doesn’t get her first? Please, someone write this scene (like in My Girl, except without the dad’s girlfriend). Hilarity is best when accompanied by humiliation.

2. Dating

My poor, poor dad. I was such a brat in high school. How did he survive me? (He actually tells his football team that now: “I have a daughter in her twenties. You cannot scare me”).

See, in high school I didn’t date. (At least, I didn’t admit to it, but we’ll call it dating for the sake of ease). I had flings (and no, I didn’t sleep around, but who cares if I did) where I’d hang out with one guy all the time for a few months, then we’d go back to being just casual friends that talked every once in a while.

And of course I dated athletes. What better way to torture my father the coach? He could hear little things in the locker room, but not from me and he'd always wonder.

Let’s see, I first dated the guy I told you about in another chapter. I met him in choir and he played soccer. And I was fifteen (turned sixteen shortly after it started) and he was eighteen. So, since my dad had nothing to do with the choir and very little to do with soccer and the guy was a year younger than my brother (and they didn't know each other), he didn’t know much about the guy. So it was a nervous situation trying to hit up the right people for information. He got really, really close to the soccer coach for a while.

Then, I dated my brother’s best friend who was my dad’s quarterback and power forward as well as a pitcher and a hurdler when he was in high school. But, I didn’t date him until I was seventeen and he was about to turn twenty-two. So my dad knew him well, but he thought he was too old for me. He even called the guy and said something along the lines of “I’m always going to be your coach. And I’m always going to be able to kick your ass”. Bless his soul.

He was always hitting my brother up like “hey, why don’t you hang out with them more” because he was terrified of me going over to my “boyfriend’s” house alone. My dad always had my brother spying on me and I find that funny.

Then I started dating guys he was coaching at that moment. I dating his running back for a little bit (and he hated that so much. I remember he was pretty rough on the poor guy during that short time). And I dated his shooting guard for a while (who was also in choir with me), so I remember they had to run a lot of line drills during that time when no one would tell him about our dates (where we sat at his house and watched stupid movies).

Then obviously I dated my best friend whom my dad has known since he was born (and who was his tight end and point guard and pole vaulter and relay anchor and first baseman and never had time for anything but sports). But that started at the end of our senior year and we were never publicly a thing until a while after that.

But you can just imagine how that all went for my poor dad. Luckily, he knew most of those boys and wasn’t as lost. But I’m telling you, mom or dad, son or daughter, most parents aren’t cool when their teens start dating. Why does no one write about that? Why not explore that? It’s interesting.

Don't leave your teenagers out to fend for themselves. (And don't let them move to England with their boyfriend of a week before they finish school (looking at you 1D fanfics). Involve the parents. Parents are scared, funny creatures!

3. Safe sex

No one wants to talk about their sex life with their parents. But one thing I learned being raised by a dad at this pivotal moment is this: they are terrified of their daughters having sex. My dad was absolutely, 100% terrified.

He never, never talked to my brother about anything sex related really (mostly because my brother didn’t leave the house except to go to school or work and didn’t date until he was in his twenties (and his friends were education enough. They knew everything)). But he was so scared about me.

And he was pretty cool about it. He wasn’t one of those that preached waiting until you’re married because he was a wild child, my best friend was a wild child, most of mine and my brother’s friends were wild children. He knew better than to think that I wasn’t going to at least be exposed to sex if I wasn’t having it.

But lord those were some of the most awkward conversations. He was always telling me not to do things for a guy if I wasn’t comfortable. And he told me to never sleep with a guy without a condom (even on birth control). And to never believe a stupid guy that said he loved you because he probably just loves boobs. And to never leave my drink alone or be out at night alone and all that fun stuff. And to not be afraid to come to him if I thought I was pregnant.

My dad even gave my best friend the boyfriend warning about safe sex (because me having a guy for a best friend scared the shit out of him). It was a horrible, horrible moment. I think I was seventeen (maybe just turned eighteen…can’t remember, it’s been a while; I just know my dad was pretty late to the game on that one).

But one night, when my best friend was over at my house and I was cooking dinner, my dad came in and was trying to be all casual, but you could tell something was on his mind. Then, out of left field, he just said “so you guys are being careful, right? You’re not screwing around without protection?”

I thought I was going to throw up. I burned the hell out of my hand, because I sat it down on the stove (not the burner, but it was still hot) I was so shocked at what my dad was saying. It was mortifying. And worse, he kept looking at my best friend (who was playing the if I am really still and really quiet, he’ll forget I’m here game).

I’m pretty sure even if I was married right now I’d still be trying to convince my dad I’m a virgin. That’s just weird. So I was panicked and my best friend just gave in and I remember him distinctly saying “little late, coach. About six years late to the game, but good effort.”

And I'm pretty sure I said something along the lines of "dad, shut up. I've never even kissed anyone" even though he knew that was a lie. It was awful. Write about that. That was horrifying. (And make sure to label it horror).

4. Girly Interests

I was always very close with my dad growing up, and I had an older brother and a guy for a best friend, so I did a lot of things that people still consider “boy things” (although I hate that phrase. Anyone can do those things or have those interests).

So I watched and played a lot of sports. I know a little about cars and hunting and fishing (southern things if that’s how you feel about it). I never did much shopping, never got into fashion, and never wore much makeup (just enough to cover the things I need to) but I don't hate those things.

Honestly, the only times I wear dresses or skirts are to funerals, weddings, and important events, but I don’t hate them. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wearing them (and I can walk in heels, because that’s not as hard as people want to make it sound). I have very little time for anything other than jeans and t-shirts and that’s cool.

What I’m getting at is being raised by a dad didn’t completely masculinize me. Actually, my dad did take me shopping a few times when I asked. He let me buy and wear makeup and never told me what I could and couldn’t wear.  He used to brush my hair for me every night when I was younger. He was always really supportive of my art and me wanting to go to art school. He escorted me at homecoming (and helped me pick a dress once).

No, he didn’t go to my choir concerts (because he knows nothing about music) and because I didn’t ask him to. I never invited him.

But we’ve always had a good relationship. I talk to my dad about lots of things. Now I tell him who I’m “dating” and all that fun stuff because I’ve grown out of my bratty rebellion. And we talk about sports still and classes and friends and all sorts of things. I’m at the point where he’s a dad and a friend and it’s awesome.

So I’d like parental relationships explored more. No, I’m not saying these teenage MCs have to be best friends with their parents (you can’t tell me you weren’t/aren’t an angsty teenager. All teens are. It’s part of life). But obviously parents have to play a role. And since a lot of parents are single (and more of them are dads these days) I thought this was a cool topic for a rant.

So what do you think? You think any of these things would go good in your story? Do you already having similar things in your story (drop me a link)? Do you have any other ideas or anything to add? Go for it! Do share