Braids, buns, pig tails, pony tails – there is an endless variety of hair styles available for little girls.

Styling hair can be a be a bonding time between girls and their parents – a process often left to mothers.

Not wanting to miss out on a moment of time with his daughter, Adalyn, 8, Doug Marquardt started learning to style hair.

Marquardt said he can still remember the first time he attempted to style Adalyn’s hair when she was four years old.

It was braided pigtails, which he said turned out pretty good.

“I was a survival instructor in the military (Air Force), so I knew how to do a three-strand braid,” he said.

Still he was a little intimidated about trying any other hairdos.

About a year and a half ago, he began watching live Facebook feeds from Philippe Morgese, who shows a variety of tutorials for hair featuring his daughter Emma.

“I would occasionally step out of my comfort zone and attempt the things he did on the tutorials,” Marquart said.

One of the most complicated styles so far was a four-strand, ponytail/braid cross over.

He also tries holiday-themed styles that he learns from Morgese's videos.

Morgese, from Daytona Beach, Florida, founded the Daddy Daughter Hair Factory (DDHF).

The DDHF organization trains instructors to lead local classes for dads and daughters.

Marquardt said he began to reach out to Morgese online, writing comments about the videos or sharing pictures after he tried the styles on Adalyn.

“He’s such an inspiration,” he said.

Eventually, Morgese began responding and Marquardt felt called to become a DDHF instructor.

Marquardt said he wants to help other dads who may feel uncomfortable doing their daughters hair and promote the idea of spending quality time with their daughters.

Marquart said there are 17 DDHF instructors worldwide. In Texas, there is a class in Houston and the one in Wichita Falls, which Marquart began May 5.

“As it turns out, hair styling is not very complicated if you follow basic principles. I wasn't very good at it, but at least I was no longer intimidated by it. The more I did it, the more confident I became and the more my daughter enjoyed our time together doing it,” he said.

Marquart said is daughter is a great motivator, but maintains he’s no expert, just determined to learn.

“It’s not about the braid, it’s about the bond. And this is a great way to accomplish that,” he said.

When he and Adalyn first began styling her hair, he said it could be a time-consuming process because he would analyze each step, in order, trying to get things just right.

Now, a simple braid may take two or three minutes and a more complex style around 20 minutes.

 “I'm just a dad taking a vested interest in his daughter’s life and to her likes. I'm trying to speak her language and in doing so, I've earned the special title she gave me of ‘Super Power Daddy,’” he said.

"Stereotypically, dads aren't the ones who do this, so it makes it even more special and creates an even stronger bond between the fathers and daughters which do,” Marquart said.

DDHF classes and workshops are free, but participants must register ahead of time because each class is limited to 12 dad/daughter pairs.

The small classes, Marquart said, help ensure proper one-on-one interaction.

His first class May 5 at Faith Masonic Lodge was a success with six dads and nine daughters.

Most of the fathers had never styled their children’s hair, Marquardt said.

One dad, he recalled, was newly single and had custody of his daughters.

During the class, the families learned about hair styling tools, making your own detangling spray and how to make a perfect center part (tip: use the end of a rat-tail comb).

“I’ve several people interested in attending classes including moms. I will eventually put on classes for moms or even co-ed classes, but currently I'm only looking to have classes for dads and their daughters,” he said.

He hopes many dads take this opportunity to learn fun, easy ways to do their daughters hair.

Marquardt aims to have another class June 16 (for Father’s Day), but he is currently looking for another venue or possibly a later class time.

Dads can check the calendar of classes on the DDHF page or email Marquardt at dougcmarquardt@gmail.com for more information.

More information about DDHF can be found at Daddy Daughter Hair Factory.

You Tube tutorials made by Morgese and Emma can be found on the Phil & Emma from Daddy Daughter Hair Factory channel here.