Better Dads, Stronger Sons: How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character

by Rick Johnson

The relationship between a father and a son is like none other. Dads have a God-given role to protect and provide for their families, always striving to teach their sons the life skills they'll need to grow into honorable men. But many dads struggle with feelings of inadequacy regarding their fathering abilities. They want to be better dads.

Rick Johnson can show them how. In this insightful and practical book, Johnson shows how fathers can be equipped and inspired to be positive role models for their sons. He stresses the significance of male bonding, discipline, and spiritual leadership; discusses important topics such as sexual purity, respect, and self-discipline; and reveals the top ten mistakes to avoid as a father.

From commitment and courage to honesty and humility, Better Dads, Stronger Sons helps men strive to be the dads God designed them to be--so their sons can grow to be everything they are meant to be.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Family, Christian, Religion, Christianity, Self Help

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

Rick founded Better Dads, a fathering skills program, based on the urgent need to empower men to lead and serve in their families and communities. Rick's books have expanded his work to include influencing the whole family, with life-changing insights for men and women on parenting, marriage, and personal growth. Inspiring and equipping through innovative multimedia presentations and seminars, Rick's resources, methods and personal approach have been transforming the lives of men, women, and their families for over 20 years.

Rick speaks at many large conferences across the US and Canada. He is a popular keynote speaker at men’s and women’s retreats and conferences on parenting and marriage.

He is a nationally recognized expert in several areas having been asked to deliver papers at venues such as the International Convention of Adult Children of Alcoholics, County of Los Angeles Child Abuse Prevention Conference and the State of New York Fatherhood Conference. Rick’s work with men and fathers was recognized when he was invited to the White House as part of the “Champions of Change” ceremony in 2012.

Prior to becoming a bestselling author and speaker, Rick was a small business owner for 16 years, owning and operating an environmental engineering firm. He attended George Fox University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, and has a Masters Degree in Education from Concordia University. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, has served on the Board of Directors for several community and business associations, and coaches high school basketball in his spare time. Rick has been featured in many national publications such as New Man Magazine, Crosswalk.com, Christianity.com, Christianity Today’s Men of Integrity, Relevant Magazine, Pentecostal Evangel, Thriving Family, and Proverbs 31 Ministries Magazine.

He is the bestselling author of twelve books and has appeared on over 300 radio programs and television shows around the United States and Canada. He is the former co-host of a live, weekly radio show and a frequent guest host of other local programs. Rick is actively involved with the men’s and family ministries as well as speaking from the pulpit at his church and various other churches.

Rick and his wife Suzanne have two adult children (one deceased) and is raising an adopted granddaughter having recently re-located to Texas.

You can find out more about Rick on his web site at www.betterdads.net .

Reviews

[Christopher M · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a soon-to-be first time father I found this book to be very insightful!

Most of the topics come across as common sense but there are some that were absolutely eye-opening. Some may argue this book has many traditional viewpoints but I personally don’t mind it. In some cases traditional topics of instilling discipline in your kids, having bonding time with them, showing love to your wife and ensuring her needs and goals are fulfilled, working and healing yourself in order to spread that wisdom to your children - these may sound like elementary things but for lots of folks out there it will work and make them better fathers and husbands as a result.


There’s tons of sections in here that really spoke to me and made me feel more excited about becoming a father. Things in here where I knew my own father taught me throughout my life while he was still here.

I also really appreciate Rick’s marriage tips. Where again these ideas of ensuring your wife is loved and cared for, understanding her love language, show through actions and words that you love her (especially when around the kids), handle disagreements in a respectful manner, listen actively and intently to her, communicate effectively and understand her needs and goals and help her to accomplish those and vice versa. These are all seemingly simple ideas and what some may consider traditional but you’d be surprised at the positive impacts and the harvest you’ll receive if you just planted a couple of those seeds in your marriage and around your children.

All in all - if you’re a first time dad or even if you’ve been married and had kids for years this is worth the read. You never know what little piece of knowledge could be the eureka moment for you to help you become better in your everyday life. Investing energy and time into your wife and kids will pay off.

Don’t be discouraged by some of the other reviewers that mention the book not being worth their time because of its genre or because they’ve been married for 20 years. God clearly had a reason for drawing them all to this resource in order to better themselves in some way and whether you choose to admit it or not on Goodreads I’m pretty sure if they implement even one piece of advice from Rick Johnson it’ll make them and their children better for it.

[Jay Hennessey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the messages in this book on raising boys, specifically:
- Create a vision for your sons - communicate it with them for what a man should grow up to be.
- Time is most important thing in raising boys. Don't worry about the activity, just spending time and modeling the right behaviors.
- Talk about the tough things - girls, sex, how to behave like a man. Start the conversations early, and boys will be comfortable discussing.
- Be the role model 24/7. Everything one does is being watched by boys. How we treat mom is especially important.
- Be a life-learner. Model reading and encourage it. Combine books with other gifts. If gifting sporting gear, combine a book on a famous player.
- Include fiction and non-fiction.
- Seek out movies and books with great role models. (End of book has list of recommendations)

While the book was extremely religious, there was nothing in it that I disagreed with, even though I am not very religious.

Overall, this was a great book with lots of great reminders and nudges for being a great, impactful dad and raising respectful, men of character.

[Tor Langehaug · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's difficult for a book in this Genre to break outside of a 3-star rating. For the most part this is because I have read several similar books and most of the material presented is common sense. That being said, I would still recommend the book because it's a fairly easy read and brings to the forefront some topics or considerations that might otherwise be dormant on our minds. The lack of good fathers is an absolute threat to our society and the author is keenly aware of that. It was worth the read and gave me some good things to think about.

[Jeffrey McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging, relevant, and needed, the author demonstrates the vital role that fathers have in stepping up and leading the next generation by example and integrity.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rick Johnson is the founder of Better Dads, a fathering skills program designed to educate men on how to play a bigger and more important role in the lives of their children. Better Dads, Stronger Sons takes materials from program workshops in order to reach a wider audience of men desiring to become better fathers to their sons.

The book begins by discussing authentic manhood and authentic fatherhood as well as talking about coming to terms with the past. What truly defines being a man and a father? The next chapters cover bonding with your son, mistakes all dads make (such as avoiding physical affection, giving too little time, fearing failure, and abusing power), making a noble man, discipline, respect, sex, role models and mentors, and leaving a legacy.

Each chapter is packed with information, examples, and instruction. Bible verses point to direction from God on each subject. At the end of the chapter there are questions for discussion and reflection - allowing the book to be used in a group study or individually.

I can't say enough good things about the content of this book, even though I'm a mother and it's not even meant for me. The role of a father in a child's life is critical, and this book can help dads be stronger and more influential role models for their sons. This is the perfect gift for Father's Day for any dad or dad-to-be in your life.

[Todd Macy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too "women are weak and need men to survive" for my taste but the overall sentiment that men have unique things we can teach boys which make them better men is certainly valid.

[Mike Mcguinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer is very conservative and some of the ideas listed are a bit traditional, I got a lot out of this and would recommend it to any dad who has a son

[Onewifeonly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as substantive as the title implies. Disappointing.

[Dale Critchley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book for someone just starting out as a father, but after over 20 years as a dad, I didn't find anything new here.

I also found some of his theology to be a bit heavy on the law: more obligation than opportunity.

That said, if your wife is pregnant with your first child, this would be worth your time to read and even reread after a few years.

[Paul Schoihet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Demasiado religioso, pacato, añejo, desordenado y poco útil. Pensé, considerando lo relevante del tema, sería abarcado de manera más interesante, entretenida y aplicable, sin embargo no lo fue. Una pena por que prometía y no entregó herramientas concretas. Como reciente padre de un pequeño de 3 meses, lamentablemente no lo recomiendo (ni para más adelante tampoco).

[Temuujin Bayaraa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were so many things in this books that I did not know about fathering and how important is the figure of positive male in young boys future. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to be better father for his son. I will definitely come back to this book to read again and get advice.

[Dave Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, 3.5 stars. Overall a very good book but not without flaws. I think one of the best aspects of the book is that the authors doesn't beat around the bush-he's a straight-shooter. That really helps the book a lot. There are some good thoughts and ideas here, so it's worth reading.

[Kendall Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many children today are growing up in fatherless homes and the attitude of a good chunk of society is that fathers are not necessary. Whether or not you are a dad I would highly recommend the book. While I would have some theological differences with the author I still found the book inspiring.

[Ismael Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply inspiring book. Despite the fact that the book leans heavily on religion, most of the religious references feel pertinent, and I say this as an agnostic. After reading this, I feel inspired to become a better father, and a better man

[Joey Peacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and straightforward. Same stuff I’ve read else where but good reminder.

[Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable. Well done. Our society would benefit greatly if every father read this book.

[Nathan Burrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a son this book will help remind you of the importance they are to God and this world. Steward them wisely and kindly.

[Dominic Mozel · Rating 3 out of 5]

-a bit too religious for me but still some good info and reminders
-Decent reminders on how to try to be a better father
-a good reminder to look into similar father books/podcasts

[Lynn J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book if you’re a father and raising sons.

[James M · Rating 3 out of 5]

About being a better dad. Ok. Religious

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite some extremely conservative views which border on antiquated, there are some good tips in here on how to raise a better son simply by being a better man. The book focuses on the father-son relationship, but can easily be interpolated to the father-daughter relationship as well. For the most part, Johnson offers solid advice for Dads with sons of all ages, positing that it is never to late to start being a great dad.

The book loses something on its advice when the author tries to instill some extremely conservative views on his reader, as if they are to be taken as fact. I do not appreciate having a viewpoint crammed down my throat, and took issue with several of these.

The book has a strong Christian basis, which when used as a moral compass, is a great thing. However, I also almost put the book down for good after the first chapter when the author couldn't stop talking about how blessed he was for this and that and the other thing. It wasn't relavant to the topic or the target audience, and really belonged in the author's autobiography more than anything else.

Those issues aside, I do feel as though I took away some decent advice for raising better kids, especially the notion, even if simple, that kids won't know what you expect of them, unless you tell them. Simple, to the point, and true: it's how many of the points of advice are.

I got more out of it than I rejected, so 3 stars.

[Jason Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy needs time with his father. That boy will become his father. We all grow up saying, "I'm never going to become like my father." (most of us do anyway) But inevitably it happens. Why? Because if our dads were present in our life growing up, we both consciously and subconsciously learned to be a man from him. But what if your father was not present in your home? What if he was present but very distant or otherwise a bad example of what it meant to be a father? There is hope for you too. "Before we can become Godly fathers, we must become Godly men." (pg 18) Look to God the Father as your role model.

Have a proactive gameplan for raising your son. This reduces, if not eliminates, the need to reaction to various situations. Reaction is often times accompanied by anger, not wisdom.

Boys are men in training. And training takes place 24/7.

There are many other wonderful thoughts in this book to help you develop your game plan. And most of us men need all the help we can get.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to commend Rick Johnson for writing a parenting book that is not filled with narrowly structured answers to complex issues. It seems as though he merely sought to roughly outline the obstacles encountered in Father/Son relationships and inspire the mind and heart of the men to engage the topics. If you're the wife of a Christian man and you have a son, don't hesitate to pick this book up for him.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This is an admonition to fathers to man up and be the men their sons (and daughters) need them to be. I've read several books of this nature, and while I don't recall any insights that were unique to the author, what I did notice was that this book was inspiring. He presents the material well, and in such a way that I didn't feel I could dimiss it without at least attempting to implement the ideas.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about the life purpose of fathers. Fairly speaks to the importanceof being a great father and the impact on ones son. Wrapped in Christian thought and tradition, although the message and the concepts transcend religions.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting book, but more importantly, by husband thought it was a great book. He loved it so much he asked me to read it as well. I recommend this to any man raising a son. The author has another book for single mothers raising sons.

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 6 CD volume is a great tool for men. The author is the reader so you receive his full intent in the message. It is powerful and actually will help in a man parenting his daughter too!
Great focus with a bold call for men to realize their importance.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book and definitely one I will re-read. It was nice to read through the book and recognize the characteristics my dad passed on to me (whether intentionally or not). I will definitely use and apply this with aidan throughout his childhood and teens.

[Paul Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this for fathers and sons group. Doing this all on my Kindle app with highlights and annotations. This was a good book, easy to read and uses common sense approaches. But it was not as powerful as some of the other fathering books I have read

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that will get you thinking some about how to be a better father and what you should be doing with your own son. I didn't know going in that it has religious overtones, but for the most part they weren't took obtrusive, and overall the book was good.