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Raising a Princess: Eight Essential Virtues To Teach Your Daughter by Croyle, John (2014) Paperback
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First published April 8, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 30, 2018
A random conversation with a woman at church led me to this book. Its phenomenal and I am so glad I read it. I love the spin on the word 'princess'. This book was also heartwarming for me as I realized all the things that my parents did for me when I was little. I consider myself lucky to have my parents and I am glad to see that copying what they did for me has been a good idea. Excellent specific to-dos that I'm going to write in place where I see them regularly.
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April 15, 2020I love this book and recommend it for anyone who has girls or anyone who is around young to young adult girls! This book opened my eyes and lol at the way I perceive myself to others and especially if my daughter.
January 21, 2018
Powerful read. Opens my eyes to the standard set by the Proverbs 31 women and what it means as a parent to instill those qualities in my daughters.
June 20, 2014
My daughter is my princess but as a parent I certainly am increasingly aware that how I interact with her in these formative years of adolescence can have a tremendous impact on her growth into adulthood. The virtues, values, and instruction I provide her now will carry on into how she views life as well as how she forms her own family structure someday in the future. Thus, understanding ways by which parents should equip their daughters to be the Proverbs 31 woman that is the model in Scripture for what a righteous woman looks like is a vital tool for the parenting tool chest. John Croyle, founder of Big Oak Ranch and author of books that have proven to be helpful guides for parenting, has written a new book that aims to help parents in the effort to raise a princess who will turn into a Proverbs 31 woman.
Using the acronym of “princess”, Croyle engages 8 key virtues he believes are essential for parenting daughters. These virtues are praiseworthiness, righteousness, initiative, nurture, character, empowerment, servant-heartedness, and stability. Each chapter of this book is devoted to exploring in great detail each individual virtue while exploring how these virtues are noted in Proverbs 31. Additionally, Croyle does more than just note 8 virtues and send you on your merry way with the hopes you might just get it right in your day to day struggle of parenting. Conversely, he examines these virtues in a very practical and helpful way, providing clear and easy to use examples of how parents can leverage these virtues in their parenting efforts.
For example, in his chapter on righteousness, Croyle aptly notes that righteousness is all about “living the way you were meant to live, regardless of what the world around you is doing – a way that feels right.” This is a very important concept to relay to young girls, especially in a day and age where the pressure to look a certain way, to succumb to the temptations of sex in order to fit into the popular crowd at school, or the element of society redefining normal for their own sick purposes rains down like a thunderstorm on young girls. This is even more important for girls who come from hard backgrounds, something Croyle is very familiar with in his work at the Big Oak Ranch. Girls who were never taught by their parents what righteousness and standing up for what is right is all about are often the first to fall prey to the allure of short term pleasures.
Croyle’s discussion of nurturing also hit home with me. He notes regarding Proverbs 31:26-28 that the idea of nurturing is inherent in the attitude of the Proverbs 31 woman, a person who “opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” As a father, I need to nurture my daughter so I can prepare her to “nurture her daughters and sons”. God nurtures His children which is something Croyle rightfully reminds the reader. This often involves being gentle and tough depending on what the individual situation warrants. Croyle also aptly notes that the word “helpmate” which described why God created Eve for Adam connotes the idea of nurturing and sustaining. Nurturing can be taught in many ways, one of which is through the avenue of taking care of a horse, a suggestion provided by Croyle that fits into our family dynamics given we own a horse. Essentially, he stresses the need to develop such a virtue by providing situations and the means by which daughters can practice this virtue, knowing sometimes they will be successful and sometimes they will fail. It is the learning process that is important, the spending time with your daughter to instruct them in why nurturing is important that is the key to future success.
Parenting is tough. Anyone who says otherwise is either not a parent or if they are, they are perhaps not parenting as they should. Raising up a daughter who will be a Proverbs 31 woman is my desire and Raising a Princess by John Croyle is going to be a vital tool I will use time and again as my wife and I work with our own daughter on understanding the virtues that form the heart of what makes a Proverbs 31 woman. I highly recommend this book for all parents, especially those such as myself who are the parents of adopted kids from tough backgrounds.
I received this book for free from B&H Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Using the acronym of “princess”, Croyle engages 8 key virtues he believes are essential for parenting daughters. These virtues are praiseworthiness, righteousness, initiative, nurture, character, empowerment, servant-heartedness, and stability. Each chapter of this book is devoted to exploring in great detail each individual virtue while exploring how these virtues are noted in Proverbs 31. Additionally, Croyle does more than just note 8 virtues and send you on your merry way with the hopes you might just get it right in your day to day struggle of parenting. Conversely, he examines these virtues in a very practical and helpful way, providing clear and easy to use examples of how parents can leverage these virtues in their parenting efforts.
For example, in his chapter on righteousness, Croyle aptly notes that righteousness is all about “living the way you were meant to live, regardless of what the world around you is doing – a way that feels right.” This is a very important concept to relay to young girls, especially in a day and age where the pressure to look a certain way, to succumb to the temptations of sex in order to fit into the popular crowd at school, or the element of society redefining normal for their own sick purposes rains down like a thunderstorm on young girls. This is even more important for girls who come from hard backgrounds, something Croyle is very familiar with in his work at the Big Oak Ranch. Girls who were never taught by their parents what righteousness and standing up for what is right is all about are often the first to fall prey to the allure of short term pleasures.
Croyle’s discussion of nurturing also hit home with me. He notes regarding Proverbs 31:26-28 that the idea of nurturing is inherent in the attitude of the Proverbs 31 woman, a person who “opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” As a father, I need to nurture my daughter so I can prepare her to “nurture her daughters and sons”. God nurtures His children which is something Croyle rightfully reminds the reader. This often involves being gentle and tough depending on what the individual situation warrants. Croyle also aptly notes that the word “helpmate” which described why God created Eve for Adam connotes the idea of nurturing and sustaining. Nurturing can be taught in many ways, one of which is through the avenue of taking care of a horse, a suggestion provided by Croyle that fits into our family dynamics given we own a horse. Essentially, he stresses the need to develop such a virtue by providing situations and the means by which daughters can practice this virtue, knowing sometimes they will be successful and sometimes they will fail. It is the learning process that is important, the spending time with your daughter to instruct them in why nurturing is important that is the key to future success.
Parenting is tough. Anyone who says otherwise is either not a parent or if they are, they are perhaps not parenting as they should. Raising up a daughter who will be a Proverbs 31 woman is my desire and Raising a Princess by John Croyle is going to be a vital tool I will use time and again as my wife and I work with our own daughter on understanding the virtues that form the heart of what makes a Proverbs 31 woman. I highly recommend this book for all parents, especially those such as myself who are the parents of adopted kids from tough backgrounds.
I received this book for free from B&H Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
August 9, 2016
Fair warning: This book may make those of you with tender hearts - cry... hard.
Not all of us are called to be an advocate for children but all of us who follow Christ should do everything they can to stand up for and help any child who is not being treated the way they should - even if all we can do about that treatment is pray!
No. It's not enough to just be a good parent to your own children, although that is one good way to show others how children should be treated.
If more parents were properly informed of how to be the parent that God calls us to be, there would be a lot less children in need of wonderful organizations like the Big Oak Ranch.
Boys need the principles in this book just as much as girls. They also need to know to look for a young woman with all of these principles to marry one day. And they need to know how to incorporate these principles in their own children one day.
After reading this book with tears running down my cheeks, I realized that I was just as much in need of these principles as my daughter. I have spent so much of my life thinking very little of myself - because I listened, far too much, to the people in the world. Unfortunately the world is, far too often, full of people who do everything they can to drag you down.
And I didn't have a clue that I needed to be praiseworthy, righteous, stable... I never knew how important it was to have a servant's heart or Christ-like character. Nobody taught me - and it wasn't really my mother's fault either because nobody taught her either. And my dad is another story that I won't go into here...
But since I became a mother, I have finally begun to follow God's leading in my heart and in my life and with that has come a greater understanding of what being a mother means according to his word.
Not all of us are called to be an advocate for children but all of us who follow Christ should do everything they can to stand up for and help any child who is not being treated the way they should - even if all we can do about that treatment is pray!
No. It's not enough to just be a good parent to your own children, although that is one good way to show others how children should be treated.
It's also very important to raise up our children the way we want them to raise up their own.
If more parents were properly informed of how to be the parent that God calls us to be, there would be a lot less children in need of wonderful organizations like the Big Oak Ranch.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to EVERY parent! Having said that, it really doesn't matter if you have children yet or not and it doesn't matter if you have children but only boys...
Boys need the principles in this book just as much as girls. They also need to know to look for a young woman with all of these principles to marry one day. And they need to know how to incorporate these principles in their own children one day.
I feel it would be beneficial reading for parents who might not have had the best childhood themselves.
After reading this book with tears running down my cheeks, I realized that I was just as much in need of these principles as my daughter. I have spent so much of my life thinking very little of myself - because I listened, far too much, to the people in the world. Unfortunately the world is, far too often, full of people who do everything they can to drag you down.
And I didn't have a clue that I needed to be praiseworthy, righteous, stable... I never knew how important it was to have a servant's heart or Christ-like character. Nobody taught me - and it wasn't really my mother's fault either because nobody taught her either. And my dad is another story that I won't go into here...
But since I became a mother, I have finally begun to follow God's leading in my heart and in my life and with that has come a greater understanding of what being a mother means according to his word.
And I feel that this book will be a tremendous help in that endeavor. As it would be for any other parent who is trying to raise a Proverbs 31 woman!
While I did receive this book free in exchange for an honest review,
I plan to purchase as many of John Croyle's other books as I can find because...
100% of the author's proceeds from his books goes to the children at BIG OAK RANCH!
May 7, 2014
My Thoughts About The Book: Even with the tutu-wearing, wand-carrying princess on the cover of the book, I found that this book isn't at all about filling our daughters with a Disney Princess dream come true life. Croyle focuses on empowering our daughters to be strong, independent, kind and confident. Each chapter is filled with precious nuggets like: "When your daughter makes a mistake, she needs to know that even if she has to live through painful consequences, that mistake doesn't cancel out the good things in her life." He writes as a dad, mostly to dads, with a clear and concise style that touches the hearts of fathers. As a mom and a single mom I certainly got a strong message and some affirmation that I did some things right when raising my own princes. His writing is very easy to read, it is extremely enjoyable, and the book moves smoothly from one chapter to next. I think this is a great gift for a new or young mother....or father. If they are looking for Biblical advice, help, and practical thoughts on raising daughters to be godly women, then this book is a must read.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Shelton Interactive. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thanks guys for allowing me this opportunity.
Labels: Big Oak Ranch, child rearing, daughters, John Croyle, Shelton Interactive, virtue
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Shelton Interactive. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thanks guys for allowing me this opportunity.
Labels: Big Oak Ranch, child rearing, daughters, John Croyle, Shelton Interactive, virtue
September 27, 2014
Although I often read Christian fiction most often, I do enjoy reading nonfiction also. I especially like a book that makes me think, that convicts me, or that inspires me. I recently had the opportunity to review Raising a Princess by John Croyle, and it did all three.
Because of his years spent working with boys and girls at the Big Oak Ranch and because of his experience parenting his own children, John writes with knowledge about the subject of teaching your daughter how to be a real princess.
Many of the comments in the book were aimed at dads, but the information was also very relevant to me as a mom. And I think that it can be beneficial for me as a mom to think about these virtues that John is describing and question whether or not I truly display that virtue myself. Was I taught that this was important. And do I communicate its importance to my daughters.
In each of the book's chapters John examines one of these virtues. He describes what that virtue will look like and gives practical suggestions for instilling those virtues in your daughter. Throughout the book he weaves stories from the Ranch and from his own children to illustrate.
I was encouraged and inspired by Raising a Princess. I can walk away with practical ideas for my own girls. And I can definitely recommend this one as a good read.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own, and I was not compensated in any other way.
Because of his years spent working with boys and girls at the Big Oak Ranch and because of his experience parenting his own children, John writes with knowledge about the subject of teaching your daughter how to be a real princess.
Many of the comments in the book were aimed at dads, but the information was also very relevant to me as a mom. And I think that it can be beneficial for me as a mom to think about these virtues that John is describing and question whether or not I truly display that virtue myself. Was I taught that this was important. And do I communicate its importance to my daughters.
In each of the book's chapters John examines one of these virtues. He describes what that virtue will look like and gives practical suggestions for instilling those virtues in your daughter. Throughout the book he weaves stories from the Ranch and from his own children to illustrate.
I was encouraged and inspired by Raising a Princess. I can walk away with practical ideas for my own girls. And I can definitely recommend this one as a good read.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own, and I was not compensated in any other way.
May 10, 2014
There were two things that drew me to this book. The first is John Croyle himself. Anyone that would give up a promising career in the NFL to start a place like Big Oak Ranch for abused and neglected children is someone that I want to listen to.
The second thing that drew me was the principle of raising daughters with the end in mind. In the end these girls are going to go on and raise daughters of their own and pass on to them what they know. If we take that into account we have a long range perspective that will impact not only our daughters but our daughter's daughters and beyond.
Most of the concepts outlined in the book aren't new, they are just under used in our current culture. John's systematic approach to raising our girls to be godly women is not only doable but practical as well. One of the main things that you are going to come away with is the knowledge that ultimately what YOU do and model is what is going to stick with your daughter. So with that in mind I think this is really more a book about who you are as a parent than who your daughter is.
I enjoyed this book and found it to be very thought provoking. I think it would make a great addition to any parent's reading list that desires to raise a daughter worthy of the KING.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
The second thing that drew me was the principle of raising daughters with the end in mind. In the end these girls are going to go on and raise daughters of their own and pass on to them what they know. If we take that into account we have a long range perspective that will impact not only our daughters but our daughter's daughters and beyond.
Most of the concepts outlined in the book aren't new, they are just under used in our current culture. John's systematic approach to raising our girls to be godly women is not only doable but practical as well. One of the main things that you are going to come away with is the knowledge that ultimately what YOU do and model is what is going to stick with your daughter. So with that in mind I think this is really more a book about who you are as a parent than who your daughter is.
I enjoyed this book and found it to be very thought provoking. I think it would make a great addition to any parent's reading list that desires to raise a daughter worthy of the KING.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
January 21, 2016
We often talk about the virtues of a Proverbs 31 woman. But how does that woman become so virtuous? The author draws from his experience as a parent and founder of a home for girls to bring 8 essential virtues that we can teach our daughters so they grow up to become the Proverbs 31 woman.
I wasn't aware that this book was geared towards fathers until I started reading the book. But despite that fact, I still learned from it. The layout of the book is easy to read and the author brings stories and experiences into the writing to make his points more relevant. His writing style is simple, yet profound. He is able to bring a point across without sounding preachy. I also liked the fact that 100% of his proceeds will go back to the Big Oak Ranch to help more girls.
I received this book free of charge from Shelton Interactive in exchange for my honest review.
I wasn't aware that this book was geared towards fathers until I started reading the book. But despite that fact, I still learned from it. The layout of the book is easy to read and the author brings stories and experiences into the writing to make his points more relevant. His writing style is simple, yet profound. He is able to bring a point across without sounding preachy. I also liked the fact that 100% of his proceeds will go back to the Big Oak Ranch to help more girls.
I received this book free of charge from Shelton Interactive in exchange for my honest review.
July 29, 2016
Mr. Croyle writes from his experience of working with abused girls at the Big Oak Ranch, as he says above. He has a lot of valuable advice that we as parents (whether we're the dad or mom) need to impart into our daughters. They need to know they are valuable, and how to respect themselves. They need to know that what the world teaches (sex, immodest dress, etc) is not respecting themselves.
As the mother of three girls I really respect Mr. Croyle's views. He has a lot of wise advice, some that should come naturally to us as parents, and some that you don't even think of covering. Some excellent stories are included.
And for those with hearts toward the hurting, you will learn a lot about some girls' situations and why they are put into homes or sent to Big Oak Ranch. I recommend RAISING A PRINCESS to all parents of girls.
As the mother of three girls I really respect Mr. Croyle's views. He has a lot of wise advice, some that should come naturally to us as parents, and some that you don't even think of covering. Some excellent stories are included.
And for those with hearts toward the hurting, you will learn a lot about some girls' situations and why they are put into homes or sent to Big Oak Ranch. I recommend RAISING A PRINCESS to all parents of girls.
January 27, 2015
I think that if you know a female of any age you should read this book. The book takes you on a great ride with the Proverbs 31 woman. It helps us see what God has in store for the lives of women. This is a must read for every dad. John takes you through the 8 essential virtues of raising a daughter. So many young girls do not have all eight today and it is a tragedy. John is clearly a Christian man living a godly call on the boys and girls ranch. I just wish all parents would give their child the respect that John is calling us to have. If parents take this to heart, Big Oak ranch would not need to exist. But until that happens, he and his family will help serve abandoned, abused and neglected kids. Parents need to rise up and listen. I am thankful for the service of John and his family to the Glory of God.
May 1, 2015
I had a hard time getting over the use of the word Princess in this book, because I attribute that word to someone who is bratty and entitled, but he uses the word as an acronym for some great virtues, with good examples of the characteristics we hope to instill in our kids by creating opportunities and living by example.
April 14, 2015
A very quick read with some vital messages. "[W]e are in a battle for the souls of our children. ...DON'T FORGET: Raising our daughters to become the women God meant for them to be is our sole purpose!" The author describes the kind of traits you would like for your daughter to possess, and how to help instill them.
March 8, 2014
I've read multiple books on how to be a better parent to my daughters. This one is practical and full of deep wisdom from John Croyle. John walks the walk in the way he has learned in his boys and girls home, Big Oak Ranch for the past forty years. I highly recommend this book.
March 14, 2015
This is a FANTASTIC book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a daughter or wants to have a daughter or even if you work with children. This is a must read!!
March 23, 2015
Such a good book! Great advice and insight on raising girls!
March 10, 2015
Great parenting advice in an easy to read format.
November 23, 2016
Easy read. Definitely will read again as my daughters get older. I love how he gives practical ways to show each characteristic each girl should possess. Such good advice and a great read.
June 19, 2024
Great and enlightening read, for both parents, teachers, and daughters alike!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews