Raising Girls

I'm a grandfather, now with a two-year-old grand-daughter, and aware that, yep, I could have done things better!...and wanting to be a good "grampaa", and also perhaps pass on good ideas to my daughter, her mother. So I got "Raising Girls" to read, to see whether it was worth passing on to my daughter. In short, it certainly is.I'm a Christian, and would say that Steve Biddulph's standpoint is probably that of a very well-informed humanist strongly influenced by the christian outlook. So although my ultimate purpose in bringing up a child, (to know The Lord and to honour Him in all his/her ways), differs from that of the author, I still found the book a great help. I can readily appropriate what he has to say into my own way of thinking. Also, the book is not "technical", but written in language any literate person can understand. It's not "cerebral", but warm and understanding.On every page there's an arresting thought, and Biddulph has a great abilty to put educationalist ideas in lay language without diluting the message. His emphasis on rejecting the influences that "big business" would bring to bear on our daughters is very good. It's an insidious thing, but he makes it much easier for the reader to recognise and avoid its effects, especially that of making girls "grow up" too fast.The practical advice is brilliant. I wish I had read this book thirty years ago. I strongly recommend it.

Steve Biddulph writes interesting, informative and pretty funny books. Easy to read. Before I bought the book I thought, "I have 4 daughters - what can Steve Biddulph tell me about girls that I do not already know??" Actually quite a lot. The chapters are well set out to cover different age ranges and he has some very good advice. Wish I knew that there was scientific evidence about taking things easy while I was pregnant - my 2nd baby was born very stressed. She still is, at age 13!I was not stressed when I had the others and they are a lot calmer. My other babies would wake up and gurgle, cute as anything. Baby No. 2 screamed as soon as she opened her eyes, every morning for 3.5 years...but otherwise was very healthy and robust.

Easy read and with useful analysis. I have an 11 year daughter and starting to see the teenage years hitting. As a parent, I need to change my approach and handling of her massive increase in sensitiveness. The whole chapter about re-wiring of pre-frontal cortex at teenager phase makes me realise I need to be a lot more understanding about the mood swings and varying between the contradicting child regression bursts/desire to not be treated like a child.

I liked this book very much. As the mother of two girls I found it very thought provoking about the specific needs of girls at each stage as they grow to maturity in the twenty-first century. I agree with the author that girls as young as ten years of age are expected to look and act as if they are much older - very much to their detriment. I hope this book is widely read so that more young girls are supported by their mothers (and fathers) to resist this early sexualisation which may have negative consequences for their physical and mental health. Steve Biddulph writes in a clear accessible way and supports his ideas with stories about real people and real situations. This is the kind of book which could be used as a handbook to be re-read as your daughter grows and develops from infancy to adulthood.

As a dedicated father of two, Mr Biddulph's work was a welcome source of inspiration for two reasons:1) I particularly enjoyed reading and learning about the roots and background drivers potentially causing the behaviour of girls as they grow up; and2) This background research helped me appreciate certain behavioural patterns of my daughters, even at a very early age.I do feel somewhat better prepared to dealing with what's ahead. I will, no doubt, keep Mr. Biddulph's book within close reach as I am sure it will come handy when I need good advice in the future.

Where was all this advice when I was raising up my daughter? I am so pleased that my granddaughter will benefit from Steve Biddulph most wonderful and practical advice. I am also glad to see that I didn't make too many mistakes which was mostly due to very straightened circumstances and we couldn't therefore afford a lot of the gadgets that are causing children so much heartache with bullying and the like these days.

The ideas in the book are good and do seem to work. The only negative is that the book looks at a girls life from birth to young lady so the chapter dedicated to your daughters current age is only short and does not tackle specific problems in detail. If you need a general, positive focus on how to raise a girl then this is a great book. I shall certainly use the ideas going forward and feel they give a good positive foundation for bringing up a confident but loving girl.

I chose these books for my children as guidance for raising their relevant girls/boy.I read them through myself and found them enlightening to view with an insight into how raising a family in these modern times has changed.Lots of lessons to be learned for parents and grandparents alike.!My daughters enjoyed reading them and are trying to put the recommendations into practice. Very worthwhile books.Would highly recommend.

Very helpful, with a lot a good information and resources

Buena lectura, hace recordar lo importante en la convivencia y crianza de las hijas. Brinda varios buenos consejos. No ahonda en psicología femenina ó de las niñas, pero es una lectura valiosa.

Acabo de tener una niña así que he comprado este libro. Me ha gustado las historias que cuenta, los consejos que dan,las etapas que analizan en el desarrollo de una niña. El contenido no es demasiado, es para hacerte una idea. Para tener todo detalle sobre un bebé por ejemplo, estará en libros como THE BABY BOOK de willian sears. En general, es bueno tenerlo. Me ha gustado el libro. Acabo de comprar su otro libro de raising boys.

An easy read that will shift the way you look at the role of parents and children. So much wisdom in one book!

A must read for every mother out there! I appreciate the manner with which Steve touches on all subjects at all ages and how well he portrays potential problems and provides you with the right solutions. I have already offered both Raising Girls and Raising Boys as a gift and will continue to share this great knowledge.