Parenting is not an easy job. There are plenty of how-to manuals out there, but every relationship is different. Every child has different needs.
One thing that any good parent can agree on, however, is the importance of unconditional love and teaching vital life lessons. No matter if you're a mom, a dad, a grandma, a stepparent, an older sibling, an aunt, or an uncle, children need role models to look up to and learn from.
Benny Harlem takes his role very seriously. Harlem is a model, an artist, a singer-songwriter, and, most importantly, a father to his young daughter, Jaxyn.
Growing up, Harlem didn't know his father until he was 7 years old. Upon their first meeting, Harlem's father rejected him, and it shaped the way Harlem decided to be as a person and as a parent to his daughter.
In order to instill self-love and self-confidence in his daughter, Harlem began taking her on photo shoots, and the results are absolutely beautiful.
Scroll down to see this daddy-daughter duo showing off their gorgeous hair, and let us know what you think of his parenting skills in the comments below!
[H/T: XO Necole]
Growing up, Benny Harlem leaned heavily on the strong women in his life.
Although he didn't grow up with a dad consistently in the picture, he learned how to be a great parent from the role models he grew up with.
Harlem is very present when it comes to his relationship with his daughter, Jaxyn.
He makes sure to instill the importance of self-love and culture each day.
The daddy-daughter duo have gorgeous waist-length hair that they often style in the same way for their incredible photo shoots.
Harlem believes it's important that his daughter accepts her natural beauty.
He may be a little overprotective at times, but what father isn't?
"I put my child on a pedestal," Harlem explained to XO Necole.
"What my daughter knows is that if she loves herself first, love will align in her friendships, relationships, and all aspects of her life."
The way in which Harlem and his daughter maintain their beautiful tresses is a life lesson in itself.
"In my family, we make our own shampoo, just as we take the time to make our own meals," Harlem explained. "It's just a discipline."
Harlem and Jaxyn's love for one another simply radiates from the incredible photos posted to his Instagram page.
Over 100,000 people follow his account and are inspired by his parenting skills every day.
Today, living within a culture filled with impossible beauty standards, it's important that parents break through the noise and teach their children what is truly important.
Beauty is fleeting, but the love between a parent and child is forever.
What do you think of Harlem's approach to parenting his young daughter, Jaxyn?
Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to SHARE with the amazing role models in your life!
