What a Daughter Needs from Her Dad: How a Man Prepares His Daughter for Life

by Michael Farris

This powerful and important book encourages and guides men in becoming the dads they want to be. A father of six daughters, Michael Farris addresses issues common in all families with friends, dating, personal appearance, and preparing for the roles she'll have as a woman. Filled with personal insights, biblical perspective, and practical tips, What a Daughter Needs From Her Dad challenges fathers with the unique opportunity to train daughters for life's challenges--in ways that only a dad can. With the time-tested principles provided here, dads can help their daughters realize their God-given potential.

Genres: Parenting, Christian, Nonfiction, Family

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ryan Rodriquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, this book is VERY Christian-based. So, if you're open to reading the perspective of a man who is a believer (and has 10 children, six of them being daughters), I would recommend you read this book. But it's not JUST for believers. The principles expressed in this book can be relayed to anyone looking to raise strong daughters who will grow into amazing women as a result of being the father that she needs.

Nothing in here was life-changing for me as a father of a 12 year-old daughter. However, I did come away with some new ideas in how to more actively engage with my daughter and build a relationship of love and trust. As I do that, she will be able to easily identify those who are looking to build a relationship on that rather than the devious self-interests of those around her.

Michael Farris is a loving father who promoted what's called "Empowered Traditionalism" when it comes to his daughters and how he raises them. This term is a source of strength for his own daughters who now have their own families and are passing the torch of the ideals taught in his book.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book providing basic and advanced instructions to fathers on how to raise their daughters to be the women God wants them to be. As the first chapter explains, we can either be a stumbling block to our daughters or a building block. This book addresses a fathers' spiritual leadership, dating/courtship, positive friendships, and training our daughters to be good citizens for their nation, among many other topics. Much of the advice applies to sons as well. It is well written and a quick read. All dads with daughters would do well to own this book.

[Wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over all it offers good advice. Many paractical ideas are given on how to help raise your daughter(s). Though at times his experience and advice contradicts that of other pastors/parents experience who actually recommend a different direction (with dating and tech). This book needs some updating in light of it being almost 20 years old. I would have preferred a stronger scriptural principles approach that would stand the test of time instead of here is what I did and it worked for me so it should work for you approach.

Stengths:
Quick and easy read.
Encouraging work to guide us in raising daughters.
Adivce on being honest about your own failures (25), living and treating your wife and daughter(s) in a way that understands their needs (Ch 2), and other wise advice.

Weaknesses:
The Jephthah passage (20-ff) needed more study since it is unlikely he killed his daughter but instead offered her as a dedication to celibacy (translation of the conjunction as "and" or "or").

The Fruit of the Spirit section (60-ff) could offer a path to living "moral" without God. In my opinion that has been a major issue of our country (USA) historically as it works or appears to be moral on the outside instead of being holy via Christ. The FOTS are an out growth of loving God and others. The author does acknowledge this (71-ff), but the focus should be in the inner man.

The last weakness I saw was that the book appears designed for families with income above a living wage. For a family of limited means or time practicing some his advice will be difficult. Whether this involves regular outings like meals out with your daughter or designing overly structured learning tracts (63-ff). In the end he does mention we are not responsible for results but for faithfulness and obedience to Gods leading and teaching. (168)

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy-to-read, practical little book that I would recommend to any father hoping to raise a God-honoring daughter.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

As both a Christian and homeschooling father, I thought this was an absolutely great read. Farris' viewpoint on child-raising definitely pointed out some things outside of my paradigm that, though different, I really appreciated and think are great ways to think about parenting -- i.e., politics, training daughters for careers, and dating.

This book ssays it is about daughters, but honestly I think this is a perfect book for any dad whether you have sons or daughters.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were elements of this book that I didn't align with, but it was a could overview of the issues involved in being the father of a girl. It brought to mind some issues that I hadn't thought of yet.

A good, short, simple read, and I'd recommend it for any parents of girls.

[Matthew Bandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great practical book that my wife and I enjoyed reading out loud together and discussing this past fall. Having three daughters we both feel this is been an excellent book with a lot of good insight for us.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid practical advice from a man who has lots of girls.

[Seth Channell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes:
good but liked Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters beter