Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

I am a Middle School Principal here in the Chicagoland area. A parent of one of my students gave me this book to read. I enjoyed it so much and found the ideas to be so worthy, that I bought several copies for our school to use for teacher in-service training on discipline and responsibility. We also put several copies in the office for parents to check out to assist them in raising respectful kids. This is a great book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who works with kids and certainly to any parent! We are also looking into having Dr. Leman to our school for a parents night out seminar.

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

I heard Dr. Kevin Leman discuss What a Difference a Daddy Makes on Focus on the Family. At the end of the hour, I knew I had to buy and read this book. I cannot say enough good things about it. If I could give it six stars, I would.
There were several chapters in the book that made me think, "This chapter alone is worth the price of the book." I think my favorite was chapter five - A Good Dad. Dr. Leman offers the encouragement that a dad doesn't need to be a great dad, just a good dad who is present and consistent. Super daddy once in a great while isn't the key. Rather, good dad in generous and frequent doses is the key to raising a well-adjusted daughter.

Dr. Leman offers this profile of a "Good Father:"
1. A Father who is there
2. A Father who understands
3. A Father who honors his wife
4. A Father who believes in his daughter
5. A Father who lets his daughter hurt

I could hardly believe number five, until I read what Dr. Leman had to say to explain himself.

Dr. Leman's book endeared itself to me. His writing style is pleasant and straightforward. He shares many stories from his own family to illustrate his points. One of the greatest aspects of the book is that he shares some of his own personal failures as a daddy, not just his victories. He does not come off as one who is perfect telling others that they should be perfect too.

What a Difference a Daddy Makes covers a great deal of territory. The final four chapters are devoted to addressing difficulties that fathers will face. It was valuable reading, especially when he addressed stages of development that a father will need to know about to interact with both his daughter and his wife.

I would be amiss not to mention that this is a book about parenting for both fathers and mothers, daughters and sons. The focus is primarily on the father-daughter relationship, but periodic sections deal with the mother-son relationship as well. This book will be profitable reading for all parents.

I certainly enjoyed this book. It taught me several things I did not yet know. It affirmed in me many things I was already thinking about in rearing my daughter. This book will lift your spirits and encourage you as a parent. Enjoy!

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

As the father of three daughters (and three sons), I had a strong reaction to this book. It is terrific in the way it guides and urges fathers to be active and involved in the lives of their daughters. It doesn't provide a list of detailed actions you must take to have a successful relationship or a healthy child. Instead, it provides ten needs that can best be met by you as her father as she grows into a wonderful woman and makes her own way in the world.

When a father realizes the way her relationship with him and his with her defines so much of how she will define the male-female world in her life, it gives one pause. Daughters need heroes; she learns a lot about love from her father, she can learn important qualities such as humility, faith in God, and standing up for herself. How a father protects and defends her has a big impact on her self-image. The way a father demonstrates practicality and tenacity can provide a great example when hard times inevitably come. And he should be the kind of man he would like his daughter to marry.

Above all, he needs to help her get connected and stay connected with life. Never let her drift into a shell and withdraw from the world. This can't be done by command. It is a participatory experience that requires the father as much as the mother.

This is a fine book with lots of good anecdotes and examples. A great read for anyone still raising daughters and a terrific gift (if given the right way) to a new father of a little girl.

Recommended!

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

I've read a LOT of parenting books. This is the best one I've read by far. His methods teach a balance of respect and discipline that make so much sense! And it works! I have been trying to move away from so many punitive measures in disciplining my kids, but I could never buy into the completely positive discipline style of discipline. This book (and video series) was a true answer to prayer for me and my husband. It teaches a balance of punishment and discipline with self control and respect. We have been trying to apply this philosophy in our family, and this book gives great practical examples. I have seen a real difference in my kids and have felt it in myself.

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

A fantastic book, pulls no punches. I didn't agree with everything, and most people won't, either.
That doesn't detract from the main theme: That modern society and culture, and virtually every institution that interacts our boys is failing them, as are most parents.

From TV to teachers, boys are being shaped in un-natural ways by forces with agendas and others with false ideas, and in some instances by sheer laziness. The wreckage can be seen daily as you walk through our culture.

Mr. Dobson's book will point you towards building a more traditional, stronger man as a goal. It's the same role model so disparaged by a wide range of special interest groups.

A strong, emotionally healthy, masculine, and loving man is a threat to these groups, but will be a joy to a future spouse, children, employer, community, and country.

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

I read Dr Dobsons Bringing up boys 10 years ago and wondered if he would ever follow up with a good book for girls. It is finally here and I must say it is exciting to read something based not on someones personal opinions but on solid medical and statistical findings that give strentgh to the directives he gives parents of these little young ladies! I am on Amazon to see if I can buy multiple copies to give to my friends... I want it to be accessible to anyone who will take the time to read it. It is something I would encourage parents not to put on a future to read list - sit down and read it as soon as possible, especially if your daughter is over the age of six... don't wait - it will be time VERY well spent.

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

I couldn't wait to for "the Whole Brain Child" to arrive so that I could start reading it. Let me say that it is packed with lots of information and after reading it, I must admit, I need to reread over and over again. It contains 12 whole-brain strategies that are explained in details & offers a few simple illustrations.

I like the concept of integrating both the left and right side of the brain. There are more and more products these days geared towards Right brain or Left brain learning such as Tweedlewink. I'm excited to see more and more research done on this subject that can help us understand how our brains work and how to teach and communicate to our children more effectively. "Instead of just giving the answer...excercise the upstairs brain." With this book you get advice on how you can help your children produce these characteristics:

- sound decision making and planning
- control over emotions and body
- Self-understanding
- Empathy
- Morality

I like how "The Whole Brain Child" at the end of the book reviews the type of integration, whole brain strategy and application strategy according to the age group you are seeking as a "refrigerator sheet". Overall, a very insightful book.

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

Nine Years ago I was at my wit's end with my son. His preschool was insisting on putting him on medication for ADD and I was swallowing everything I was being told hook, line, and sinker.

A dear friend of mine (who was raising three teenage boys at the time) came over to counsel me. Actually, she listened patiently to me crying about my poor baby's ruined brain, then said, "Are you done? Would you like to learn how to be a mother to your son now?"

That week, I read Dobson for the first time. My house became a battle ground for about a month as "The Boy" and I squared off. I stood firm and so did he.

Then he stopped fighting me and started loving and respecting me.

Dobson saved my son, my home, and my sanity.

I've passed out 7 copies to friends over the years and I'm now buying copy number 8 for a relative. Every person I've given a copy to has thanked me months later and swear by Dobson's methods.

This book is not a magic pill that will fix everything forever. Parenting is a long, hard process. But it will set a good foundation. It works and it works better if you start young.

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

This book provides sound parenting philosophy and easy to use guidelines to apply it. As a teacher, it is clear to me which students have been raised with loving and logical parents. So many parents confuse love with protection. Parenting with love and logic means allowing your kids to make choices ... and sometimes mistakes. Some may object to the "Basic German Shepard" tactics or the idea that claims that spanking is sometimes alright. Use what you wish from the book. I have never spanked my child, nor do I order him around like a dog. To avoid a power struggle with my son who didn't want to put on his clothes or coat for a 5 minute ride home from my sister's house, I used Love and Logic principles. On a cold January evening in Michigan I carried him to the car in his underwear. Moments later, he said, "I'm cold." I simply kept driving and said, ... Perhaps next time you will make a different choice?" A natural instinct would be to cover him up and protect him from the cold. He was not injured in any way. By sticking to the principle, however, he learned two very important lessons: 1) mom is not kidding around, and 2) it's smart to wear your clothes and a coat. Since that evening, we have not struggled to get dressed. Try it!

Amazon Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars

I read Parenting with Love & Logic as our grandchildren are successfully being raised this way. I was pleased to find out that the authors had a book specifically for us grandparents. The principles are explained clearly and examples are given of how to apply them. I think the ideas can be helpful in other relationships with children such as Sunday School teaching.