Hey dads, welcome back to Dad Connections in 5—where in just five minutes, we give you real, practical ways to stay connected with your daughter, no matter her age. I’m Dr. Christopher Lewis, and today we’re talking about a question every dad eventually asks: “How do I keep my daughter talking to me as she gets older?”

You know how it goes—when she’s little, she can’t stop talking. She wants to tell you about her day, her dreams, her favorite color five times in one hour. But then, things change. She gets older. More independent. And sometimes… quieter.

But here's the good news: You can stay close. You can keep the conversations going. And today, I’ll show you how.

Why This Matters

Staying connected through conversation isn’t just about knowing the details of her day—it’s about: ✅ Keeping the door open for deeper topics ✅ Building trust so she turns to you when things get hard ✅ Letting her know: “Dad is always a safe place to land.”

The habits you build now shape whether she’ll come to you later—when it really counts.

3 Ways to Keep the Conversation Flowing (at Every Age) 1. Listen More Than You Talk

This sounds simple, but it’s powerful. When your daughter shares something—big or small—pause, stay present, and just listen. Avoid jumping in with advice, correction, or distraction.

Say things like:

• “That sounds frustrating. Tell me more.”
• “What did you think when that happened?”
• "I’m really glad you told me.”

When she sees that you won’t interrupt, judge, or fix, she learns that you’re someone she can come back to again and again.

2. Make Talking Feel Natural, Not a Big Event

If every conversation feels like an interrogation, she’ll shut down. So, make talking part of your daily rhythm—not something formal.

• Use car rides, bedtime, walks, or dinner as natural check-in moments.
• Keep your tone relaxed, your questions open, and your attention full.
• Don’t force it—sometimes the best conversations happen when you’re doing something else together (like cooking, shooting hoops, or running errands).

She’s more likely to open up when it doesn’t feel like a spotlight is on her.

3. Stay Curious About Her World

As she grows, her interests will change. Music, shows, social media, hobbies—you might not always understand them. But if you dismiss them, you might also miss your chance to connect.

• Ask her what she’s into
• Watch a show she likes and talk about it
• Ask for her playlist recommendations
• Be genuinely curious, even if it’s not your thing

When you stay interested in her world, she’s more likely to invite you in.

Quick Takeaway: Try This Today

Here’s your challenge: Today, ask one open-ended question—and just listen. No judgment. No fixing. No distractions.

Try something like:

• “What was the funniest thing that happened today?”
• “If you could plan our weekend, what would we do?”
• “What’s something you wish adults understood better?”

Then—just be present. Be quiet. Let her talk. And show her with your silence that her voice matters.

Because keeping your daughter talking to you as she grows isn’t about saying the perfect thing—it’s about being consistently safe, curious, and available. And when she knows she can talk to you about the small stuff, she’ll trust you with the big stuff too.

That’s it for today’s Dad Connections in 5. If this episode reminded you of how powerful your presence can be, share it with another dad who’s working to stay close as his daughter grows up. Until next time—keep listening, keep showing up, and keep letting her know that Dad is always ready to talk.