Review of the Complete Idiot's Guide to Raising Girls




GirlMogul Mom received a copy of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raising Girls. We confess to being a fan of the Idiot’s Guide – for a quick, well organized overview of a subject, it’s hard to beat. Of course, trying to take a subject as complex as girls and distilling it down would seem to be a challenge. The book does live up to its promise of a “A positive approach to parenting girls.” and it does cover everything from day one through the tween years. It was team written by a pediatrician and father of girls, a mother and teacher, and a health writer and mother, so these guys know what they’re talking about. Dr. Weisenberger adds in a unique perspective as both a doctor and a father and gives good advice for dads of daughters too.

The book starts with day one and proceeds through gender sterotypes (by parents and society), toys and play patterns, through the tween years – covering school, best friend issues and body issues. There is also a good section on understanding online and social networking and what you should be aware of. Also of interest were two chapters – Confident Child of Mine exploring the competing pressures between “I can be anything I want to be” and the reality of being a superwoman/mom and Modesty Rocks about setting guidelines about clothes and appearance.

From first steps to the first date to letting go, this book covers just about every topic about raising a positive and healthy girl.