Customer Reviews

She Calls Me Daddy: Seven Things Every Man Needs to Know About Building a Complete Daughter

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book has the nice manly theme of "building a daughter" and uses building analogies frequently. It starts out by admitting that for most all of us, we can honestly say, "I'd rather start a project than finish it." But in the project of building a well rounded daughter, we must keep up our work and finish well. Seven main areas are covered: Protection, Conversation, Affection, Discipline, Laughter, Faith, and Conduct. There are many stories from the author's experience of raising two girls, which are sometimes instructive. Each chapter ends with a "builder's checklist" that summarizes the main points, which is good for later review.

On a few occasions the principles seemed a bit simplistic, but then again, this is a book written to men, and we can be quite dense sometimes when it comes to relating to women, even (or perhaps especially) the "little women" that are in the life of a father. Due to the broad nature of the books scope, some topics are only covered very briefly, which is understandable.

This is of course written from a Christian perspective, and although the only Scripture is in last chapter, the principles of the book are based on many biblical principles. The discussion questions at the end are quite brief, but could be interesting if you could actually get a group of dads together to discuss them. The book is a quick read and very practical, just what Dad's need. If all dads in our society tried to apply these principles, our culture would be radically different.

I have two daughters, ages 10 and 15. They were 5 and 10 when I first bought this book and read it about 5 years ago. The author really knows how to emphasize your importance to your daughter, and also gives great ideas for ways to build your daughter and the bond between the two of you. My daughters still look forward to breakfast with Daddy on certain Saturday mornings. As my daughters have turned older, I read it again just recently to refresh my memory and to read it from the perspective of a Dad with a 15 year old. I got even more from the book the second time through, and have already implemented several ideas with my older daughter. I am like several other reviewers of this book - I think so much of it, that I have started giving it as a present to new Dads of daughters. If you are the Dad of a daughter, whether a new baby, preschooler, or teenager, this book will really help you with that girl that calls you Daddy.

I was given this book when my daughter was born in January 2000. I read it right away and I am now reading it again. THe practical wisdom in this book is perfect for dads of girls. I heard a radio interview with Robert and his daughters and they are very well-rounded young women so Robert did something right.
We all make mistakes but if you take the advice in this book and put it to work, with love, your daughter will have an advantage in life.

As a father of 2 young daugthers (9 & 7), I found this book to be both enlightening and humorous. I was able to read it during a business trip and once I picked it up I was unable to put it down, forsaking my business responsibilities in order to continue reading this book. The serious but light hearted approach that the author takes to partenting is wonderful and the little tips that are given along the way (laughter, hand squeezing ideas, ect.) have been used in our home and brought much laughter and love. I highly recomed this book to fathers with daughters of any age (in fact I purchased 30 copies to give to friends and family members for Christmas) . I assure you that if read, it will be a blessing to both you and especially your daughter.

I am the proud father of the first girl born into my family in over two hundred years. With 13 males alive in my immediate family I had ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE on how to raise a daughter. What do I do with someone I can't wrestle with, or take to football games, or teach how to use power tools? This book was wonderful to me because it gave me the insight and confidence to become a great "Daddy" to my little girl. It highlights the differences and similarities between sons and daughters and gave me the knowledge to raise a wonderful and trusting girl. Thank You Robert! For giving all us first time Fathers of little girls not only a clue, but a workable plan as well.

I now own both of Robert Wolgemuth's books (see Daddy@Work also) and find them indespinsible! I have given at least four to five copies as gifts to new fathrs of daughters that I know. A great resource for raising a daughter when..let's face it...most men are scared to death of raising a little girl.

I have three daughters and this book has provided invaluable, practical advice to help me raise them. I was one of three sons and had no clue how to relate to little girls. Robert Wolgemuth does an excellent job of teaching general concepts while also providing specific "how-to's". There is advice for fathers of young girls (mine are 7, 4 and 1) and also for fathers of teenagers (the dreaded dating years!!).

In a nutshell, five stars is not enough, this is an excellent book and I highly recommend it!

First let me say that I really intended to give 4.5 stars. It's an excellent book and I'm a better dad for having read it. It's a fast read (I read it in a day) and holds the attention of even dads who don't normally read "self-help" type books. Wolgemuth (author) is a man writing to men so it's not filled with warm fuzzy platitudes often seen in these types of books. (Men, you know what I mean!) He's one of us!

Of particular help is the point summary at the end of each chapter. This enables one to refer back to a given chapter and get the gist of the matter without having to re-read the entire book. It's an excellent memory-jogger and I wish every book of this genre had this. Great idea! It's almost like a checklist.

At times, it seems to delve into the common sense stuff a little too long (that's where he lost the half star) but most of it is excellent. Even when Wolgemuth is belaboring a point obvious to most dads of daughters, he still offers some kind of tip or activity to do related to that subject that you may not have thought of but sounds good.

Kudos to Wolgemuth for tackling subjects us dads are afraid of like physically touching your daughter. He deals with the subject forthrightly and delineates the appropriate and inappropriate. Another great inclusion is the chapter on blended families, single-dads, and long-distance dads. Some of his best insight is on the subject of dating and dealing with your daughters' friends and that worthless bum who seems to feel worthy to date your daughter. (OK, that last part is my phrasing, not his.) That part alone makes the entire book worth reading.

The book, as I mentioned, is a fast read; almost too fast. I would have liked him to go into more depth on a few things as it seems to me that he knows his stuff.

Bottom line: Dads will enjoy and understand this book. You will better protect your daughter and raise her to be a great woman with these principles.

When I read the introduction to this book, my first thought was, "I want with my daughter what he has with his daughters." By focusing on seven areas for "building a complete daughter," the author gives practical advice and terrific anecdotes to guide a father in the unique aspects of raising a girl.

I especially liked the chapter on communication. This seems like the key to building a great father-daughter relationship and helping your girl communicate well with others.

From discipline to faith to laughter, the author covers the most important aspects of nurturing the early life of your daughter.

A great, useful, and easy read.

As most self-help style books are written with no real end, this one at least gives some very practical advice. I read this one two months ago, immediately started with some of Robert's suggestions, and the immediate change in my 4 year old daughter was amazing.

Highly recommended - but, remember that it's written in very a simplistic manner.