Editorial Review
Study after study shows that fathers set up their daughters for success. Involved fathers-whether or not they live in the same house as their daughters-boost their daughters' academic achievement, promote their emotional health, increase their compassion for others, and even bolster the status of women.
In What a Difference a Daddy Makes, renowned psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman seamlessly weaves the latest research on fathering with funny, moving stories about his own parenting experiences. He gives practical ideas and inspiration for fathers and provides specific direction for helping daughters grow into loving, confident, caring adults.
Cached date: AWS Called=true
Customer Reviews
Good Reading 
2008-07-12
I've read other books by Dr. Leman, and this book I bought for my husband and I ended up reading it, too. He's a great author who really tells it like it is and in this book demonstrates how much of an imprint a daddy makes on his daughter's life. I highly recommend it.
Used as study guide for dads with daughter group 2008-03-11
Dr Leman uses his real life family situations to illustrate the positive benefits a father has on his daughters. This book is an easy read. Dr Leman has a good sense of humor which makes it hard to put down. Lots of good suggestions and tips for dads of all ages!
Very good for the first time Dad and the experienced one too 
2008-01-18
This book was recommended to me by my brother-in-law who has 4 daughters. I just have one. Most of the chapters were relevant to my situation although it really focuses on the teen and young adult situations the author had experienced. It did open my eyes to other areas of my daughter's life I must pay attention to. The last chapter(Epilogue) was hard to read. I really got emotional about it. It really made me think about the future of my daughter and how to stay involved in it throughout adulthood. I highly recommend it.
What a Difference a Daddy Makes 2007-10-27
My husband read this book and it has changed how he interacts with our girls. WONDERFUL!! I then gave it to my dad. He LOVES it; he said it is changing his life, how he is looking at things and wants to make things different. He called me after he read the firt chapter and said he had no idea; that he LOVES the book. It is changing our relationship even now...
We loved it! 2007-07-17
I gave this book to my husband as a Father's Day gift, and ended up also reading it myself. Dr. Leman's advice, guidance, and personal stories in "What a Difference a Daddy Makes" really hit home with their accuracy. It forces parents to really think about how they interact with daughters and the long-term effects of a father's relationship with his daughter. Be warned, it is a tear jerker! While reading the book I felt grateful to have a husband who, as I read the book, made me think, "Hey, he does that! Oh, he does that too!" At the same time, there were a few passages that illustrated some things both of us could approach differently with our daughter.
I had two points of dissention with Dr. Leman however. I found his references to daycare as "kiddie kennels" to be offensive and disturbing. It is clear he feels very strongly that mothers should be home with their children. I can understand that, but to resort to slurs against child care, when such high quality care is available and has been shown to actually benefit children, struck me as narrow-minded. Also, Dr. Leman's strong Christian faith influences much of the book. In fact, an entire chapter is devoted to this subject. While it isn't something I disagree with, other readers may have different views. All in all, however, this book is wonderfully written and should be required reading for all daddies!
Life changing 2007-07-16
Study after study shows that fathers set up their daughters for success. Involved fathers-whether or not they live in the same house as their daughters-boost their daughters' academic achievement, promote their emotional health, increase their compassion for others, and even bolster the status of women.
In What a Difference a Daddy Makes, renowned psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman seamlessly weaves the latest research on fathering with funny, moving stories about his own parenting experiences. He gives practical ideas and inspiration for fathers and provides specific direction for helping daughters grow into loving, confident, caring adults.
Incredible, a must read for any dad 2007-04-16
What a Difference a Daddy Makes is a great book that stresses how important the role of the father is in the life of his daughter. [...] any books by Kevin Leman before, but once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Dr. Leman keeps the andecdotes coming fast and furious, and page after page is full of great advice.
After finishing the book yesterday, I know this is a book I'll need to revisit over the years as my three year old daughter gets older. Leman emphasizes that dads (and moms) need to be "good" parents. It's almost impossible to be great parents. We'll all fail at times, but it is important for dads to be their and to be involved. It is also important for dads to model what role a man should play in her life. If a girl has a father with bad traits, she will most likeley seek out the same traits as a husband. Leman also stresses to live out God in everything you do in your life. For example, don't set aside a time for devotions. Istead, constantly look to share the Bible, or talk about God, during day to day activities. Leman also points out that fathers are responsible for teaching their girls about the bad parts of life, about how not everyone is nice and about how there will be failure. This leads into one of Leman's strongest contentions: Men must take the lead in teaching their daughters about sex. That's a section I won't need for awhile, but he definitely knows what he's talking about and I believe has written books on the subject.
The father/daughter relationship is a special one. Leman's book is a must-read and a great resource for all dads out there given the privelege of having a little girl. I've also read "What a Daughter needs from a Dad" by Michael Farris, and it is a great book too, but I'd reccommend Dr. Leman's book over that one if you have to choose which one to buy.
All about perspective... 2007-03-26
You will like this book... and you will want to share it and the knowledge with others.
My wife and I are two true opposites. I enjoy cooking; my wife enjoys cleaning. I would rather cook; she would rather clean. She has six sisters and zero brothers. I have two brothers and zero sisters. What do these characteristics have to do with this book?
Everything.
From both perspectives (my wife's and mine), this is simply a superlative book! I consider myself quite savvy, emotionally attached, and a true believer of self and self-awareness. This book further elucidates the concept that the Daddy-Daughter relationship affects all of us.
Yes... mothers are affected by their respective fathers; but, more importantly, they are affected by their husband's relationship with their daughter(s). Before reading this book, my wife did not fully understand the scope of her father's relationship values (or lack thereof). Moreover, through our reading and sharing the knowledge within this book, my wife has learned to appreciate MY relationship with OUR daughter. She now understands the relative importance of me being "the "go-to" guy. She now understands that there are some things Daddies just know and do.
Much like the Mother's intuition, Daddies have a super sense of balancing teaching/learning; strength/subtlety; faith/hope; patience/expectations... and the significant-yet-natural-to-fathers concept of balancing parental expectations with our daughters' fears.
Dr. Leman covers the entire gambit in this quick read. Indeed, there are many other books available on related topics. However, Dr. Leman's approach is simple without being simplistic. You will like this book.
Overstating the Obvious 
2007-03-20
Extremely average book short on anything considered above and beyond common sense. Nevertheless ... a fairly good guide for the first time father. Definitely written with spiritual connotations that further detracted from its intellectual credibility.
wonderful example of a father daughter relationship 2007-01-03
This book gave excellent examples of father/daughter relationships and how to develop and instill them. A must read for any dad.
