Hello ‘daddy’… this is the new word that every woman is excited about this year, writes JANA HOCKING

I don’t know who is coming up with the names for new dating trends right now, but we need to sit down and have some serious words.

You see, last year it was all about dating the “daddies.” You know, the older gentlemen who have their lives together. The sexy George Clooneys of the world who can make “have you filed your taxes yet” sound like a warm hug.

But that has been deleted. Yeah, dump your dad, because we’re going for a much better kind of man now. But clutch your pearls, ladies, because the term for this new “type” is equally disturbing.

They are called ‘baby girls’. Yes, all one word. And they are defined as ‘a man with energy who is vulnerable, attuned to his emotions and a little softer.’

You’ll notice that all the leading actors in films from the past year have adopted these traits. Jacob Elordi in Saltburn, Paul Mescal in almost every film/series he’s ever made, Pedro Pascal in interviews. They are in touch with their feelings, slightly gloomy and gentle souls.

They are the sensitive souls who rescue pets from the shelter and stop their cars to help old ladies cross the street.

Glorious beings.

Maybe this new “type” will really catch on because there is less stigma when it comes to therapy. By getting in touch with our feelings and learning how to communicate in a healthy way, we started looking for the same in a partner. It definitely worked for me!

Last year I found myself in an awkward situation with a man and realized I wasn’t making the best life choices. So I went to a professional therapist and asked him one simple favor: give me the tools to leave this relationship once and for all.

For the next eight weeks, my fantastic French, no-nonsense therapist did just that. By the time our sessions were over, I was in great mental health care, my self-confidence had been restored, and I was starting to make decisions that were in my best interests.

Sure, it took a box of Kleenex and some hard truths, but good lord, it was worth it.

I promised myself that I would never fall for someone who hadn’t done the work on themselves like me. That’s why I love this new trend!

She explained that the softer man, who feels his emotions and expresses them safely, is the one she wants

There’s a meme doing the rounds on Instagram that says, “Guys, we don’t want to see your bank balance, we want to see your therapy receipts!” and to that I say EXACTLY!

If you’re like me, you’ve dated the projects, the disasters, the guys with a hint of toxic masculinity – and where do we end up? In therapy that is true.

Last week my best friend lost her family’s dog, and she was in tears – and so was her husband. They grieved together and it was a healthy way to deal with the pain.

If this had been twenty years ago, the man would have been expected to ‘hold it together’, put on a brave face and fight through the pain. But we all know where that ends. In a sudden outburst of anger or worse, compressed grief.

The “baby girls” are the ones who sit with us in our moments of sorrow. They possess the greatest of all qualities – empathy – and communicate their thoughts and feelings in an open and honest way.

Doesn’t it all sound rather progressive?

In the name of “research,” I did a deep dive on YouTube to find examples of what a “baby girl” is, and it was basically hundreds of videos of Jacob Elordi being cute.

He is completely comfortable in his own skin. He is a bit shy, polite and very sweet. Other videos included Harry Styles acting in a similar manner. Oh, and Keanu Reeves, definitely Keaun Reeves.

It’s the opposite of the fake alpha males we see on episodes of MAFS, or in the deep dark corners of the internet.

A “baby girl” would never tell another man to “muzzle your wife.” Yes, I’m looking at you Jack from ‘Married at First Sight.’

No, no, baby girls don’t have an ounce of misogyny in their bones. They are very comfortable in their own skin and it shows. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it makes them shine.

So ladies (and certain guys), we can make this new type of man undiscussable in 2024. Let’s embrace the partners that are good for our mental health and build us up.

Te-taa-loo bad boys. You’re so 2023.

READ MORE: The Crazy Reason Why All These Beautiful, Successful Women Are All Single