Father to Daughter: Life Lessons on Raising a Girl [Paperback]

Melissa Harrison (Author), Harry H. Harrison Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2003

Warm and fuzzy, anchored in values, and filled with simple words of wisdom, this beloved, bestselling book for parents speak to the important business of raising daughters, and distill their timeless lessons into one nugget of wisdom per page—some lighthearted, some serious, some practical, and some intangible, and all supported by a strong moral backbone.

Freshly updated, the book begins with the Five Keys of Parenting, a guide to navigating the extraordinary, even if sometimes exasperating, journey of parenthood. It’s filled with helpful reassurance: Tickle her, play with her, give her piggyback rides. She’s not breakable. And accepting bittersweet reality: Prepare for the day when you’re not the most important man in her life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melissa Harrison is a school library director. She and Harry are married, have two grown children, and live in Dallas, Texas.

Harry H. Harrison Jr. is a parenting expert and author of 1,001 Things It Means to Be a Dad and other 1,001 Things books from Thomas Nelson. For many years, he operated his own award-winning creative consultancy firm, Harrison Creative Directions. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 378 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (March 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761129774
• ISBN-13: 978-0761129776
• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 1 x 4.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 61 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nuggets of Wisdom for Fathers of Daughters May 15, 2005

By S. Peek VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Although a very short, small book, this is a very good collection of simple bits of wisdom.

Some readers may think that it is too simplistic, but I think it contains some things that are very good reminders for fathers of daughters. As big of a job as parenting is in today's world, we can all use reminders of even the basics. In our fast paced world, many times our relationships with family members take a back seat to work. That shouldn't be the case. In this primer on parenting, Harrison helps us remember some basic things that are very valuable.

Some of the pages deal with advice on things that are your role as a parent. Others contain insights that will make readers smile in remembering events they have experienced in child rearing.

Some of my favorite of the included 'lessons' are these:

1. Take part in her life now. Don't wait until she's 15 to try to develop a relationship.

2. Tell her from day one that she can accomplish anything.

3. Be prepared to watch Walt Disney movies with her some 200 times. Each.

4. Tickle her, play with her, give her piggyback rides. She's not breakable.

5. Realize that as you shape her, she will shape you.

6. Read to her often. Very soon, she'll be reading to you.

7. Talk to her about what she wants to be when she grows up.

Continally reinforce the idea that anything is possible.

8. When she's old enough, sign her up for karate lessons. This is more for your sake than hers.

9. Think before you speak. Even when you don't mean to, you can end up hurting her feelings.

10. Take her out of town to somewhere she's never been at least once a year. This will develop her sense of wonder.

11.... Remember, teenage girls spend hours in their room doing something. No man has ever really figured out what that something is.

12. There will be days when you think you've raised an alien. Those are the same days she feels she's being raised by one.

13. Remember, it's a good thing if the boys in her life think you are slightly unstable.

Frankly, I never would have bought this for myself. It's a very small, 'cutesy' looking book. It's just not the type of thing that attracts my attention. Fortunately, my wife saw it and bought it for me. It is a real little treasure. Read more ›

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pocket Book June 16, 2006

By Stephanie Bailey

Format:Paperback

At first, I thought this was a silly gift my husband received when I was pregnant with our daughter. I decided to take a look at it, and its such a beautiful book. It has very simple ideas and advice, but very important life lessons.

The whole book is full of common sense ideas, but they are things that get overlooked and forgotten. Every dad should be forced to read this as part of soon-to-be-daddy training.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Daddies and Daddies-To-Be May 31, 2004

By E.J. McIlwaine

Format:Paperback

This book is absolutely fantastic. I am a father of two daughters, with a new baby on the way. This book touched me, motivated me, made me think, made me change, and brought tears to my eyes at times.

I am sending a copy to all my "father of daughters" friends.

A must have for Daddies.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great gift idea!!! March 25, 2004

By Suzanne

Format:Paperback

I just happened to pick this up in a book store one day and loved it from the first page. It is a wonderful book filled with a short paragraph or even just one sentence on each page. Some make you laugh, some make you think and some make you cry. A perfect gift to get for a husband, son, uncle, brother, friend whatever. Will make the Daddy and Daddy's little girl bond even stronger!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Full of Fun-Low on content December 16, 2008

By J. Cather

Format:Paperback

This is a cute little book with a lot of fun ideas,it just lacks content in my opinion.I read the whole thing in about 30 minutes.It does have some nice ideas though.

32 of 45 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing! Don't expect much here. August 12, 2004

By J. Pace

Format:Paperback

I am sorry but I cannot give this book a good rating. It claims to have life lessons on raising a girl and all I found was a collection of sayings. Some of them were good suggestions, but most were just sentimental "warm fuzzies." Maybe this is all that some guys need to help them raise their daughter, but I have four and I need much more help than this book was able to deliver. Also, before you buy check the dimensions of the book. It is really small and each page contains about a sentence. It is really not worth the money you will spend on it. Sorry, but that's how I see it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun little book for fathers-to-be January 1, 2007

By David W. Southworth VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I received this book in the mail recently and read it in about 20 minutes. It is about 300 or so short pieces of advice for fathers of girls in various stages of development. The quotes are variously witty, funny, instructive, and serious on the challenge men face in raising healthy girls to be self-assured young women. Two thumbs up.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Father to Daughter June 20, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I'm a 46 year old man's man. I have two daughters, 9 and 15. Every page contains good advice. I wish I had it to use 15 years ago.

For all you old dad's; be careful, it will make you cry.