About eight years ago, I read Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson. At the time, my son was only a few months old, and I remember wanting to soak in every word to help me as I began my parenting journey (I also remember being thankful that we wouldn’t be facing many of the challenges for years, and now my baby is eight!). A few years later, my daughter arrived, and I wished that Dr. Dobson would write a book about girls as well. I am glad to say that Bringing Up Girls is now available, and it is a wonderful resource for parents and grandparents as they strive to raise daughters in today’s culture.
By combining his medical background, his own parenting experiences, and information from research, Dr. Dobson fills Bringing Up Girls with information and practical advice. Topics include peer pressure (there’s nothing new about that, but girls do today do face some new challenges), eating disorders, academic concerns, sex, and other timely issues. How are girls’ minds different than boys’? How do hormones affect girls? What role do parents play? These questions and many more are answered in Dr. Dobson’s straightforward manner. Of all the chapters, I most appreciated the information about the role that fathers play in the lives of their daughters and the information about how hormones can affect the decision-making process of young girls. I have marked many pages in this book, and I know I will reference it often.
I will admit that while reading, I often felt discouraged by what our young girls face today. Unfortunately, they are dealing with tough challenges at younger at younger ages. They are bombarded with lies concerning their bodies, their worth, and their abilities. Some of the chapters made me want to hug my daughter and not let her go until she is 30! I know, however, that I need to be aware of these issues in order to successfully guide my own precious daughter. As a Christian parent, I appreciate resources like this. Thanks to Dr. Dobson, I can keep Bringing Up Boys
Lauren is a wife, a mother of two, an avid reader. She blogs at Baseballs and Bows. Thanks to Tyndale House for providing the review copy of the book.
I’m with you on the feeling discouraged — and just downright scared actually, as my Amanda is entering these adolescent years right now!
Crossing my fingers and holding my breath to see if this comment goes through.