Bringing Up Girls: Month of Thanksgiving - Day 20

Today I'm thankful for my girls:

What a high calling and amazing privilege it is to be shaping two members of the next generation of women.  I am humbled every day as I tread these waters of partnering with God in raising Cecily (12) and JennaBeth (20 months).

When I was pregnant with my son Bentley (now 5), one of the first books I couldn't wait to get my hands on was Dr. James Dobson's Bringing Up Boys.  It is a book I have gone back to many times over the past five years as I've encountered many questions about raising Bentley and one I'm sure I'll refer to many more times before he leaves the nest.

So, when I found out that Tyndale was offering Dobson's Bringing Up Girls:  Practical advice and encouragement for those shaping the next generation of women, I jumped at the opportunity to read and review this book for them.  Tyndale sent me a copy free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Once again, Dr. Dobson did not disappoint!  In Bringing Up Girls, Dobson covers a wide range of topics such as:

• Girls in Peril
• The Fair Sex
• Why She Is Who She Is
• Teaching Girls to be Ladies
• Embarrassing the Angels
• Girls and Their Mothers
• Young Women Talk About Their Mothers
• Why Daddies Matter
• Fathers and Daughters
• Cinderella At the Ball
• The Obsession with Beauty
• The River of Culture
• Charming Your Daughter
• Puberty and Adolescence
• Bullies, Buddies and Best Friends
• Protecting Your Daughter from Invasive Technology

The book is somewhat a lengthy read at 272 pages, but well worth the time spent.  Dr. Dobson does get rather "technical" in places when discussing some of the medical and psychological aspects and these portions are a little difficult to muddle through.  However, Dobson's knowledge helpful in understanding the nature of girls. 

I really enjoyed the very practical advice he offers.  The chapters which were organized in a question and answer format were helpful as I had some of the very questions dealt with in those portions of the book.  Dobson doesn't just give you a lot of information to consider, but helps you think through answers and practical solutions, but provides tried and tested recommendations.  You also get the advantage of other contributors throughout the book.

Here's Dr. Dobson from the introduction:

"Children are a gift from God, and we are stewards of their welfare.  Training up our daughters in this sense implies helping them to navigate the cultural minefields that lie in their paths - teaching them eternal values, talents, and perspectives.  It means instilling within them an appreciation for truthfulness, trustworthiness, self-discipline, self-control, generosity, and sweetness of spirit.  It means teaching them modesty, morality, and manners.  It means helping them overcome the natural inclination toward selfishness, aggressiveness, violence, and slovenliness. It means teaching them to work and learn and think.  That is just eh beginning, which is why parenthood is such a daunting responsibility, requiring careful forethought and planning."

I am thankful for the guidance and knowledge with which God has blessed men like Dr. Dobson and thankful for Tyndale for sending me a review copy.  I will be returning to this resource often in the years to come.  I recommend if you have girls of your own or are a grandparent to get a copy of this resource.

This book can be purchased at Amazon.