Raising Girls: Learn How to Encourage, Challenge, and Inspire Your Daughter to Discover Who God Is Calling Her to Be

by Melissa Trevathan, Sissy Goff

"My six-year-old fusses with her hair for hours. Is this normal?" "Yesterday my seventh grader was all sunshine. Today she's wearing black and won't leave her room." "I'm worried my teenager may have an eating disorder." In today's complex world, parenting a girl is harder than ever. It takes more than love. It takes insight into the things that make your daughter tick as she grows from childhood to young adulthood. Drawing on the authors' fifty-plus years of combined counseling experience, Raising Girls takes you inside the mind and soul of your girl. You'll obtain seasoned, expert insights on Spiced with stories, humor, and much reassurance, Raising Girls will help you encourage your daughter, challenge her, love her, and help her discover who God is creating her to be.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Christian, Audiobook, Faith, Family, Christian Non Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Melissa Trevathan, MRE, is the Executive Director of Daystar Counseling Ministries, which she founded in 1985. A graduate of Southwestern Baptist Seminary, she's written seven books and spoken at churches, schools, and graduate programs across the country.

Reviews

[Gabriella Rothrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a daughter, please read this. If you are a daughter, please read this. There were moments while reading this book where things in my own heart were brought up and needing to be dealt with. There were also moments where I could see my daughters so clearly in what was written, and moments where I pondered the question “what will my daughters be like in this stage?”. This book encourages us to pray for and enjoy our daughters, the girls we love. As a parent I felt encouraged every chapter that through God’s grace, we really can enjoy every stage with our girls.

[Jessica Gemeinhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oldie but goodie. Would love for them to do some revisions based on cultural changes in last 10 years (social media, technology, post-millenial). Might be the same grid can be used, but there are certainly new challenges as well.

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a joy to read about the development of girls — from the “discovery years” to adulthood. There are things in this book I was reminded of in my own life.

This is a heartfelt book that causes you to consider your little lady from her perspective, even when you are at odds. I loved hearing their thoughts on what they need in each stage. I’m thankful for the insights they shared as counselors, and the spiritual truths they used as reminders as we attempt to raise healthy, confident, God-dependent women.

[Caitlyn McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved! Very high level, need to re read in a few years

[Brittany Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

So thankful.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy your girls, catch a vision of who God is calling them to be, and call out who God had made them- these were my biggest take-aways.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is broken down into age groups and gives great information about the developmental milestones and challenges that girls face at different stages. They also outline ways that we can help and support them during that time. I also love that it is faith based and they talk about spiritual development as well, knowing their identity in Christ. I found it very informative and helpful in understanding my daughter at this stage in life (8yr).

[C.D. Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more general and geared toward elementary age and older girls. I didn't find a lot of what I was looking for for my pre-school aged girls but will hold on to it and read it again in the coming years as we reach new milestones.

[Jessica Woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me clear recommendations and also takes a lot of the pressure off that I put on myself as a mom of girls. I loved how it was split up into each age group. The advice was sound and wise. I will probably read this one again!

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an great book. I learned a whole lot and I can definitely see how some of the things I've done over the years have been really good and also how to tweak some things going forward. This is one I'll put on my "read again" list.

[Joanna Shuffield · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sad to say I was a little disappointed with this book! It’s quite dated, and feels like it could have gone deeper into more topics. I love the Raising Boys and Girls Podcast, though! Great content there

[Amy Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one took me a bit longer to read than normal and it’s a bit dated but most of the information is just so good and still applicable, especially the breakdown of the growing up phases. I would definitely love to see an update on this if that’s an option.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone raising girls. Having 3 girls this is a book I will hold on to and come back to in the coming years. Knowing what is normal and what isn't was so helpful as well as the practical tips on what to do and at what point you need further help.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read and one to read again and again as they grow into each next phase!

[Cagefighter18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on understanding girls from a parent’s perspective. Also helpful in discussing different phases of a girl’s development and how to care for her in each.

[Sonnigirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all moms of girls!

[Jodi Skulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book with solid, godly wisdom! I know it is a book I will come back to over and over again.

[David King · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title itself is a bit off putting, but there is good info in here. The stages of maturation is a helpful grid to consider. Some brambles to spit out, but overall helpful.

[Lori]

Practical book for parents of girls written from a Christian perspective.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every parent of a girl should read this book! Spot on! Christian values are evident throughout the book. Highly recommend!

[Ali Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and gave me some takeaways for now. But definitely flagging to reread when my oldest daughter is in 7th grade

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource if you have girls. So much wisdom from Sissy and Melissa. I’ll be referring back to this book often as my girls get older.

[Adayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A great equivalent to Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys, a book I've found myself coming back to through the years. This was exactly what I was looking for.

[Jeffrey Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for those raising girls. Both informational and helpful.

The book breaks down the life stages a daughter goes through. That was very insightful to me.

[Silviya Mircheva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea unfortunately. I am not religious and the number of times God was mentioned is overwhelming.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published almost 20 years ago. But I still found the information pertinent! As a mom of 3 girls, this is one I’m glad I own… and I’ll refer back to many many times.

[Rachel Neahusan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will reread, especially when my daughter is 13+

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaks down what behaviors and changes are normal at stage of development, how to support girls at each stage, when to be concerned and when to just wait it out as part of the development process.

[Laura Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I’ll be reading this book over again at each stage of my girls lives!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. I think this is a book I will need to reread every few years as a good refresher on what it’s like raising girls. A lot of things to consider.