5 conversations you must have with your daughter

This book has had a profound impact on how I think about raising our girls. It is a book for parents (geared mostly for mothers although Nate has started reading it too) of girls of any age. It doesn't matter if you have a newborn, a five year old, or a high schooler. It is applicable to all for all ages.

Vicki Courtney is a Christian mother who is "in the trenches" raising her own girls and offers her experience and insight as a leading thinker in the area of ministry to girls and their mothers. A handbook of sorts, this is an invaluable resource to help mothers navigate the waters of life and culture and influences that their daughters will undoubtedly face. Each chapter is written for each conversation which are:

1. You are more than the sum of your parts
2. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up
3. Sex is great and worth the wait
4. It's okay to dream about marriage and motherhood
5. Girls gone wild are a dime a dozen-dare to be virtuous

As a mother of two girls, ages 5 and 3, I am so thankful to have read this book. Vicki Courtney gives lots of information and truth about the things girls face growing up, and she offers practical advice for each situation. Do I agree with everything she says? No. But, I agree that letting life happen to my daughters without my intentional guidance isn't in their best interest. And I want them to know what they are going to face in this life, moreso, I want them to know the truth. Not what they see on tv or read in magazines, but the truth. Especially from a Godly perspective. I want them to know that they are loved my me and by God--unconditionally.

5 conversations addresses so many good situations that we are all going to encounter as mothers. What do you do when your child wants to play at someone's house who you don't know or might not approve of? How do you address weight and dieting with your daughter? When is it appropriate for kids to have a Facebook or MySpace account? What rules do you have for boys who are interested in your daughter? What do you do when you find out your daughter is having sex? So many good questions, and they are ones that I want to think about and have a plan for before Jenna asks me to go on a date with a boy!

If anyone has read it or has questions, I welcome comments! This is such a great book--I recommend it for all parents with girls of any age!