It's a girl. There, you can see...

I was stunned when I heard that our child is a girl. I'm happy to have one. Like most fathers, though, I guess I hoped for a boy. In hindsight, I suppose this was only because I don't know a single thing about raising a girl. After all, being a boy, I can at least go on my own experience with a son.

My first thoughts went to protection. (I've since read that this is normal for fathers of daughters.) I remember what it was like as a boy in elementary school, a teenage boy, and a college kid. Do you know what goes through their heads? Do I want my daughter to have to deal with boys?

Second, all I know about girls I learned from the girls I've been around. What do I know about raising a girl? What about hair, make-up (Ok. This one I know only because of school), times of the month, boy crushes, etc.? How does a guy deal with these things?

I had always had an interest in how-to books, Boy/Cub Scout books, and the like. You know, the ones that teach you how to do all sorts of fun things. I had bought "The Dangerous Book for Boys" for our child (yeah right) when we thought it might be a boy. I loved it. When it ended up being a girl, I immediately decided to get the sequel, "The Daring Book for Girls".

Well, let's just say, pirate names were considered for our daughter.

My plans so far have been to raise an adventure seeking, intelligent, athletic, woman. Someone like Lara Croft, Charly Baltimore, Molly Millions (William Gibson's books). A girl who likes to climb, run, swim, build, pretend, and play. One who can hold her own against a bully. A daughter that will become famous for some great discovery or achievement.

On the other hand, I would like a child who isn't so much like my wife and I. One that won't make us worry that she'll get hurt. Can she just lead a quiet life, study hard, do well in school, get a great job and marry a very fortunate man that her mother and I like?

Either way, I know that there will be days throughout her life where I will turn to the person next to me and, with pride in my voice, say "That's my daughter". I will be happy with her no matter what.