I've recently entered a new stage of life over the last six months with the birth of my wife and I's daughter. Nothing had quite prepared me for this experience. No matter how many books I read, or how many conversations I had with people, or no matter how many classes I took....the experience has been overwhelming. Overwhelming in both very difficult ways (i.e. colic, jaundice, acid reflux, etc.), and in some really beautiful ways (first smile, first giggle, becoming a parent for the first time.) But it seems like time goes by really fast and I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a good father. So about six months ago I came across the book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker. It seemed like a very interesting book and I liked the title...said something about the importance of my relationship with my daughter.
I just started reading the book about two weeks ago since I hadn't really had anytime before (you mom and dads know what I'm talking about). And it is a great book. Every time I read a chapter I turn to my wife and have to tell her what I've been reading just to process it with someone. It's just too overwhelming. Maybe a second or third time father wouldn't be as overwhelmed, but reading about what our daughters are exposed to in society is a lot to take in. I work with college students so I'm familiar with a lot of the statistics, but I just don't think I knew how early girls were at risk and advertised to by our culture. If you read this book you might find yourself disagreeing with some things the author says (depending on your parenting style and your political/theological leanings) and others you will totally resonate with. I'm sure every father makes mistakes along the way, but I think this book is a very helpful and powerful guide for which to measure themselves by.
Meeker's 10 Secrets are as follows:
- You Are the Most Important Man in Her Life
- She Needs a Hero
- You Are Her First Love
- Teach Her Humility
- Protect Her, Defend Her (and use a shotgun if necessary)
- Pragmatism and Grit: Two of Your Greatest Assets
- Be the Man You Want Her to Marry
- Teach Her Who God Is
- Teach Her to Fight
- Keep Her Connected
Those titles were enough to get me to buy the book, and I have not been disappointed. I leave you with her opening plea in Chapter 1:
"Men, good men: We need you. We--mothers, daughters, and sisters--need your help to raise healthy young women. We need every ounce of masculine courage and wit you own, because fathers, more than anyone else, set the course for a daughter's life."
If you are a father or mother, I would be interested to know if you have read this book. What are your thoughts? What did you think about her 10 Secrets?
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