Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

Publisher's Summary

Drawing on her 30 years' experience practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine, teen health expert Dr. Meg Meeker explains why an active father figure is maybe the single most important factor in a young woman's development. In this invaluable guide, Meeker shows how a father can be both counsel and protector for his daughter as she grows into a spiritually and mentally strong young woman. From cradling his newborn to walking her down the aisle, a father must relish his paramount responsibility - guiding the course of his daughter's life.

Meeker reveals:

• How a man can become a strong father
• How a father's guidance influences every part of a woman's life, from her self-respect to her perspective on drugs, alcohol, and sex
• How to lay down ground rules that are respected without creating distance in your relationship with your daughter
• Why you need to be your daughter's hero
• The mistakes most fathers make and their serious consequences
• How to help daughters make their own good decisions and avoid disastrous mistakes
• How a father's faith will influence his daughter's spiritual development
• How to get through to your daughter, even during her toughest don't-talk-to-me years
• True stories of daughters who were on the wrong path - and how their fathers helped to bring them back

Learn how to grow, strengthen, or rebuild your relationship with your daughter to better both your life and hers in the best-selling Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know.

©2006 Meg Meeker (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Kind of sweet, kind of preachy

I like the idea of this book, as a source if inspiration and guidance for fathers of girls. It is nice to hear how much influence we have in our girls' lives, and in ways we don't always realize.

That said, this book is high opinionated and voices its opinions in a way that makes them sound like facts. It uses a lot of "shocking" statistics to prove how scary the world is and how bad things are getting for girls. These facts are rarely put in a larger, more optimistic context that includes the amazing progress that the world is making for our girls. I found its "the sky is falling" attitude uninspiring and got tired of being lectured and moralized at.

In many ways, this book is the opposite of the much more effective "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk", my personal favorite parenting book of all time. If you read this book, then read "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" as a counterweight!

33 of 39 people found this review helpful

invaluable resource for this father

I have read and listened to this book many times and will again and again! As a dad w/ a teenage daughter, I need reinforced guidance on how to navigate the landscape. this book is an invaluable resource!

13 of 16 people found this review helpful

Incredible

This is a great book for every father. I have learned so much that I will be putting into practice right away. It's also a book that I will read every year so I can continue to put different things in practice with my daughters as they continue to age. Dr. Meg thank you for this gift.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Good book for multiple sessions

I believe this will be a book I will listen to every year right before my daughter's birthday. I know young ones like to see the rules updated as they get older, this will quickly remind me to watch those fences and likely pull them in just a bit. Thank you!

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Insightful

Dr. Meeker does a superb job describing the unique relationship between a father and his daughter and then discussing the importance of the relationship. An excellent listen.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Every dad should read

Absolutely loved this book. I sincerely believe the content will help me be a better father to my precious 9 year old daughter.

Dr Meeker has the ability to present this information in a well-researched, scientific manner, while also clearly expressing the love of a parent and pediatrician.

If you are a Dad, please please read this book. I sincerely believe your daughter will thank you for it.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

awesome

I just can't say how valuable this book is to raise daughter's, I am really grateful because I have learned so much as a Mom and the change in my Husband's relationship with my daughter is already showing in her behavior... wisdom in every minute!

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

good book.

a lot of good points to become a better father. loved the stories and experiences

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

all it requires is that you be a man, a real man

If the following quotes resonate with you then you might like this book:
"Someone has to tell fathers to uncage their masculinity."
"Nice men beware. When your 2 year old daughter has a temper tantrum put her in timeout and ignore her until she calms down. When she’s 16, do exactly the same."
Daughters and wives appreciate "fathers who are heroes… who don’t relax until the battle leaves home, and really not even then… All it requires is that you be a man, a real man."
For me it's the antithesis of everything I've learned and experienced as a parent. The author is basically saying it's a scary world (and here are a bunch of dubious facts to "prove" it) full of evil "pop culture" and you need to man up and show your daughter who's boss because if you don't she'll be an out of control depressed pregnant alcoholic prostitute by the time she's 13. And she's going to tell you she hates you but that's normal because kids are dumb and she'll eventually love you for it. And the author thinks her own father was awesome because when she herself was a 20 year old adult and was out "too late" her father called the restaurant she was having dinner at to get her to come home.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Avoid

This is probably on the Proud Boys required reading list. Was super optimistic about the reviews and content. Myopia and fearmongering trump kindness and loving parenting. I'm a strong enough father already to recognize masked hate regardless of how elegantly wrapped it may seem.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Evidence based and straight talking

A must read for any father who seeks to protect, nurture and give his daughter the best chance of growing up emotionally and physically whole.

A lot of useful things to know

A lot of the content of this book is good common sense. The author emphasises how important a father's role is to his daughter's life, which I think is true but I often forget. This book has been a good reminder. As other reviewers have commented the author writes from a Christian perspective. Whatever your view on this, Christianity offers a view of what's good for human flourishing, which is interesting to hear. Sometimes I think the author is a little too fearful. She works as a doctor and sees lots of problems, which perhaps colours her perspective. Nevertheless it is good to know some of the things that can go wrong (EG anorexia) and how to recognise some of the symptoms.