When to Give Advice and When to Just Listen

Hey dads, welcome back to another episode of Dad Connections in 5—your five-minute stop for meaningful, real-world tips to help you build a lasting bond with your daughter. I'm Dr. Christopher Lewis, and today we're unpacking a topic that every dad wrestles with at some point: "When should I give advice, and when should I just listen?" We've all been there—your daughter comes to you upset, confused, or venting, and your immediate instinct is to jump in and fix it. That's what we do, right? We want to protect. We want to help. But here's the truth: Sometimes she doesn't need you to fix anything. She just needs to know you're listening. Let's talk about how to tell the difference, why it matters, and how you can respond in ways that keep her talking—and trusting you—over time. Why This Matters Giving advice too quickly can shut her down. Just listening—without judgment—can open her up. When you respond the right way at the right moment, you're telling her: ✅ "Your feelings are valid." ✅ "You're not alone in this." ✅ "I believe in your ability to figure things out." And that's where real connection lives. 3 Ways to Know When to Listen vs. When to Advise 1. Ask Before You Answer This is the golden rule: before you offer advice, ask this simple question: 👉 "Do you want me to just listen, or would it help to hear what I think?" You'll be surprised how often she'll say, "I just need to vent." And when she says that? Honor it. Stay in listener mode. Nod. Reflect. Let her speak without interruption. Giving her that choice builds trust and autonomy—and she'll be more likely to come to you again next time. 2. Listen to Understand, Not to Solve When she's talking, don't plan your response while she's still mid-sentence. Don't jump to "Here's what you should do…" Instead, use these kinds of responses: ✅ "That sounds really hard." ✅ "How did that make you feel?" ✅ "What are you thinking about doing?" Your calm, grounded presence teaches her that it's okay to sit with tough emotions—and that she doesn't have to rush to fix everything. 3. When You Do Give Advice—Make It Collaborative There will be moments when your wisdom is needed. But make it a conversation, not a lecture. Try something like: 💬 "Would it be okay if I shared something that helped me in a similar situation?" 💬 "Can I offer a different perspective?" 💬 "What do you think about this idea?" When you invite her in—rather than directing her—you're treating her with respect. That's the kind of guidance she'll actually remember. Quick Takeaway: Try This Today Here's your challenge: The next time your daughter comes to you with a problem, pause before responding. ✅ Ask, "Do you want me to listen, or would it help if I offered some advice?" ✅ Then follow her lead—really. ✅ Let her talk without solving unless she invites you to. Because sometimes the best thing you can say is simply: 👉 "That sounds tough. I'm really glad you told me." In that moment, she's not looking for a fix—she's looking for you. That's it for today's Dad Connections in 5. If this helped you rethink how you respond to your daughter's challenges, pass it on to another dad who wants to build that same kind of trust. Until next time—keep listening well, offering advice gently, and showing up with the kind of love that puts connection before correction. If you enjoyed this episode we ask you to take a moment to take our Dad and Daughter Connection Survey to let us know more about you as a dad. You can also sign up to get our newsletter to stay connected to our community and we will send items of interest to you to help you to be the dad that you want to be. Feel free to follow me on the following social media platforms: Facebook, Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, X.