If you have a plan and your plan is working then you may not need this book, but if you are making it up as you go, this book can help.

The author, a constitutional lawyer, has ten kids, six of which are girls. It is fair to say that he has earned the right to write on the topic. Any father of a soon to be teenage daughter could use Farris's experiences to help him be a better Dad. A few of the ideas I liked are as follows: I liked the ideas about relationships not being stagnant, kids are either influencing or being influenced by their peers. Another concept I thought was useful was the one on teaching out of a problem with the goal of influencing their behavior when you (as a parent) are not in the room. Another is avoiding the pairing up issue by facilitating groups of friends instead of a one on one relationship with just one boy. Finally I liked the way he defined the purpose of dating - for marriage only.

The book is just 175 pages but seems like it is much shorter. The text can come across as somewhat stiff and "legalistic" in nature, especially chapter three, but believe it or not - in general the book is a very easy read overall. The chapters are short and contain a few questions for discussion at the end of each. One note of criticism is that I am a bit surprised that EVERYTHING that Mr. Farris tried with his daughters worked. It would be interesting to hear from his daughters more, specifically about some of what they thought was the most difficult challenges they faced growing up.

In the end I would say the book provides a good jumping off point for a men's/father's bible study group discussion. It gives a good point of reference for dad's attempting to raise daughters with a strong Biblical foundation. You won't use all of the concepts presented, but you will use some of it. Rating: BUY

PS I liked it enough to buy two additional copies for my brothers who have daughters. It is a good gift idea for any dad raising a daughter.

The author, a constitutional lawyer, has ten kids, six of which are girls. It is fair to say that he has earned the right to write on the topic. Any father of a soon to be teenage daughter could use Farris's experiences to help him be a better Dad. A few of the ideas I liked are as follows: I liked the ideas about relationships not being stagnant, kids are either influencing or being influenced by their peers. Another concept I thought was useful was the one on teaching out of a problem with the goal of influencing their behavior when you (as a parent) are not in the room. Another is avoiding the pairing up issue by facilitating groups of friends instead of a one on one relationship with just one boy. Finally I liked the way he defined the purpose of dating - for marriage only.

The book is just 175 pages but seems like it is much shorter. The text can come across as somewhat stiff and "legalistic" in nature, especially chapter three, but believe it or not - in general the book is a very easy read overall. The chapters are short and contain a few questions for discussion at the end of each. One note of criticism is that I am a bit surprised that EVERYTHING that Mr. Farris tried with his daughters worked. It would be interesting to hear from his daughters more, specifically about some of what they thought was the most difficult challenges they faced growing up.

In the end I would say the book provides a good jumping off point for a men's/father's bible study group discussion. It gives a good point of reference for dad's attempting to raise daughters with a strong Biblical foundation. You won't use all of the concepts presented, but you will use some of it. Rating: BUY

PS I liked it enough to buy two additional copies for my brothers who have daughters. It is a good gift idea for any dad raising a daughter.

I bought this book to help provide me tips on raising my daughter. I found the book to be very applicable to both my daughter and my son. In fact, I would even say that it's a good book for not only fathers but for both parents. It is very conservative which I personally like and carries a traditional approach towards raising daughters. I found it helpful, insightful and very encouraging. I would consider going through the book in a parent Bible Study since there are questions at the end of each chapter. I found the book very practical as well.

I bought this for my son who has 2 daughters. I have read it myself and was very impressed with the excellent practical advice that Michael Farris has for fathers. This book is not for the timid, he gives fathers lots of authority but much responsibility in raising godly daughters. Liz

I am an adoptive Father of a (now) 6 year old girl and in the two years since she and her brothers moved in I started to realize how completely lost I was. As I watched her grow and be shaped by the world around us I knew I needed some good, solid, real-world advice. Knowing that the author has raised/is raising 6 Daughters went a long way towards meeting that, "real-world" criteria!

Addressing a vast number of areas - some you'd expect, (helping to create positive friendships, communication), and others you wouldn't, (being politically aware/active) - he serves up doses of both common sense and sometimes surprising advice.

Although at 6 my Daughter is still a bit too young for some of what I read, I feel I will be a better Father for having read this book. I intend to keep it around and go back to it for gentle reminders as I need them.

What a Daughter Needs From a Dad is a book for dads about raising their daughters, from birth to parenthood. Author Michael Farris has five girls of his own and uses this book to advise men on their roles as their daughter's protectors, leaders and spitritual guides.

Farris gives advice on raising daughters from infancy to adulthood, and backs it all with Biblical principles and scriptures. Farris includes plenty of antecdotes from his own experiences to back up the points he is trying to make. Farris also warns you about what kind of dad you shouldn't be. You SHOULD NOT be an "All-Male" dad, only spending time with your daughter if it includes many activities such as watching sports. You shouldn't be a "pushover" granting her every request, or a "sugar daddy", thinking you can buy her love. Farris urges the reader to become engaged in his daugter's lives, to be supportive and admit when you are wrong.

The one unique point I will take away from this book is the chapter on dating. With my daughter being only three, I'm closer in years to my dating period that she is to hers, but Farris says he didn't let his daughters date until they were actually ready for marriage. This seems controversial, highly conservative, and pratcially unrealistic. But the principles are strong. Farris says that girls, and boys, when in "love" when they are young (high school or even college), but not ready for marriage, they will ultimately give parts of their heart to the person that will not end up being their spouse. So, while girls may remain sexually pure, their hearts will be damaged. I don't know if it is reallistic to keep a high school senior from dating, but I will definitely pass on to my daughter some of the wisdom in this book.

In conclusion, this is a short, powerful book on raising your daughters. Farris stresses that men can't do this alone. They need the help of others (spouse, brother, friend) and most importantly, God. Men should pray for their children everyday and men should not put off building a relationship with their children. In a few short years, their kids will be gone and out of the house. Now is the time to build that strong, biblically based relationship that God asks men to create with their children.

Sure, they're just 3 and 5 but every day counts, right? My husband embraced this book and so much of the suggestions rather solidly. He was raised in a home of all boys with rather Godless and unstable parents. While I was raised in a strong Christian home, I think my upbringing would have been so much richer and less heart-wrenching had this book been around 38 years ago... Our favorite part is about the dating-free courtship and how that will prepare our daughters for a lasting marriage and a pure unity to their future spouses. What a great book.

The book offers many good thoughts on raising daughters. Although the book is overtly Christian, an open-minded non-Christian might benefit as well.

The only thing keeping the book from a 5-star rating is that the author frequently amplifies one experience with one girl into a principle with broad application. Sometimes this practice works well, but other times it struck me as a stretch.

This is a wonderful book. I bought it for my husband b/c we are headed into the teen years and thought it would be helpful.
This is a must read for mothers and fathers. This book was so very helpful to us. I am hoping that it will save us from some of the heartache that we have seen others go though.

The book is wonderfully written and very interesting and easy to read.

I really do not think that anyone would be sorry for getting this book.

There are several girls in our family and we have been passing the book around to each set of parents.

This is a wonderful book. I bought it for my husband b/c we are headed into the teen years and thought it would be helpful.
This is a must read for mothers and fathers. This book was so very helpful to us. I am hoping that it will save us from some of the heartache that we have seen others go though.

The book is wonderfully written and very interesting and easy to read.

I really do not think that anyone would be sorry for getting this book.

There are several girls in our family and we have been passing the book around to each set of parents.

An Amazing book, highly recommend for both fathers and mothers on a unique way to raise your children to be healthy and whole. Good for both sons and daughters. Chapter 4 is amazing. Want your child physically and emotionally whole when they marry? Get this book.

An Amazing book, highly recommend for both fathers and mothers on a unique way to raise your children to be healthy and whole. Good for both sons and daughters. Chapter 4 is amazing. Want your child physically and emotionally whole when they marry? Get this book.

I was attending a Christian writer's convention when I saw Michael Farri's book on the table. Having a five-month-old daughter at home, the title immediately grabbed me. True to its cover, this book is a must-read for every father who has daughters.

Filled with personal insights, biblical exposition, and practical tips, What a Daughter Needs From Her Dad is a wonderful, insightful, call to fathers to raise good, solid, Christian ladies.

Michael can talk about raising girls, becuase he has six of them! This is a book that I will keep close to me as I watch Grace grow up, hopefully putting into practice the lessons Michael Farris has given in his book. It is my goal to raise a young lady who yearns for God.

Fathers, please do our country a favor, and buy this book!

As the father of six daughters, Farris offers solid and tested advice on virtually every situation that may arise in raising a daughter. He speaks from a conservative Biblical approach that is lacking in many similar books on the market, and in present day society where parenting choices are often influenced by the current television sitcom standards.

At first glance, the reader may wonder how a conservative approach can be effective in our world where popular standards are far from Biblical. However, I found that this book offers practical counsel with Mr. Farris using personal illustrations of how God-centered spiritual guidelines are steadfast, effective and relevant, making it more than worth reading to the end.

We, as Christians, still often forget that God is the One "who does not change like the shifting shadows." James 1:17b

Mr. Farris offers an organized step by step plan for issues such as:

Setting spiritual goals
"If we want a spiritually fuzzy result, then spiritually random activity will work nicely"

Clothing choices
"Your goal is to develop a lifetime habit that ensures that her inner sense of beauty and attractiveness is not set by those who don't share her moral code"

Choosing friends
"Friendships are not neutral. Interaction between two people usually results in some kind of movement - up or down - in values and behavior."

Physical and emotional purity
"Physical abstinence protects the body; emotional abstinence protects the heart."

Courtship and marriage

Preparing for career choices

Civic responsibility

And more

If you are the father (or mother) of a daughter, this book will give you parenting options that are worth considering. Even one of Farris' suggestions would make it well worth your reading time.

How does a God-fearing father deal with some of the explosive issues facing him and his daughter in this world of dreadfully loose morals? How can he help his precious little one(s) correctly face the questions and issues that are inevitable in the process of becoming a full-grown woman?

One thing he must not do is ignore these issues and fade into the background, expecting his wife to deal with it alone, even if she is present and willing and capable. Certainly there are some issues where mommy is uniquely qualified, but a father's perspective is important to his little girl even in these areas. Fatherhood is not for wimps.

That's the beginning of Mr. Farris's wise and insightful advice in this gem of a little book, one that bears reading and rereading. He writes from a conservative Christian perspective, a point of view for those of us who know that God's Word still speaks to our lives and guides us through what is often a trashheap of society around us. His advice is very much counterculture, but the Bible tells us we are to not allow worldly philosophies to undermine the timeless Judeo-Christian values we hold dear.

Many times it's hard to know how to walk the razor's edge between prudishness and an appropriately joyful Christian life that can be seen as such by those around us, especially our daughter's peers, but Mr. Farris gives us the benefit of his experience in raising six little girls in today's world. His input is priceless.