Your Daughter Needs a Hero (3) Book GIVEAWAY
I’m over at Simple Mom’s today posting about 8 Simple Steps to Planning a 4th of July Party! It really isn’t as hard as you might think … I learned years ago that delegation is the KEY.
#8. Pull it all together with a healthy attitude that things do not have to be perfect. When everyone contributes, it becomes more “community” and less about you.
Read more, => HERE
I was recently asked to review a book for a friend of a friend (The Nester), called, Your Daughter Needs a Hero, by Maria Furlough. The subtitle caught my eye right away … Helping her handle insecurity and poor body image.
(my daughter and some of her beautiful friends)
Years ago I started a Balcony Girls group with my daughter, from 3-8 grades. It was such a special time, with awesome girls, as we worked through relationships, friendships, and virtues. You can read more about my 2 eBooks, here.
One of the lessons in my eBook teaches on beauty: How to be able to look into the mirror and see your heart, as well as your face or your body, and learn that God loves you just the way He made you. And overcoming the “Barbie” image, or standard-of-beauty, of having to look “perfect.” To defeat these lies: You are not pretty enough. Your body isn’t perfect enough.
So, if you’re interested in building up your daughter’s self-esteem and self image, then read on … you can ENTER TO WIN a copy of this fabulous book that I’m giving away today! (3 copies)
Today’s book takes this subject of “image” much further. Maria Furlough shares her perspective on growing up as an insecure girl, her teens years, and now married several years as a young mom and mentoring young teens. She writes about self-image, confidence, and self-esteem. I’d say this book is a must-read if you have a daughter because she really shows parents how to counteract the constant pressures and influences that affect teen girls every day.
This book is for mothers and fathers to read, and includes discussion questions at the end for parents. Such a valuable ending to the book. Your daughter may not be crazy about you reading it, but … later she will thank you.
Here are some of the chapters which helped me decide that this book was for me, and something I could wrap my mind around. I feel we can always improve our parenting, so when I read something as inspiring as this book, I want to gain the wisdom myself, and share it with others.
Chapter titles (and my two-cents).
-How Teen Bop Magazine Ruined My Life (I too, remember reading Tiger Beat and wishing I could look like them. Ugh … I remember all too well, never happy for who I was.)-Not My Daughter! (No one has a perfect daughter. It’s tempting to turn a blind eye and not deal with things that should be dealt with. Especially when we moms have hangups ourselves. I mean, how much do we talk about food, dieting, exercise, what clothing looks good on us, etc.)
-What if I Do Nothing? (What if I do something, should be what we are asking ourselves. I’m thankful for a healthy relationship with my daughter. Parenting is hard work, it doesn’t just happen overnight.)
-A Thankless Job (The goal as a mom is to be the source, strength, and guidance that our girls need. It’s not always easy and sometimes I question if I’m doing the right thing.)
-Mom’s Contributing Behaviors (Our actions, words of “diets,” what we watch and read, our appearances and insecurities … I pray it’s my faith that my daughter remembers the most.)
-Dad’s Contributing Behaviors (Healthy affection, adoration, and acceptance, HUMOR, leadership in dealing with everyday life’s pressures. It’s not about what she wears that makes her beautiful.)
-What Mom and Dad Can Do to Help (Be real with struggles you had. Ask a lot of questions, communicate, compliment. Don’t talk about your weight. (ouch))
-The Hope of a Different Future (Confident and secure women have the power to change our world and our family’s world. Not insecure women. I’ve learned that who I hang out with really makes a difference in so many ways.)
-My Mom’s Perspective: Beauty from Ashes (Maria’s mother shares about her daughter’s struggles with insecurity, self-image – how she feels Maria got these traits from her. She confesses to being a people pleaser.)
-My Dad’s Perspective: Man Your Battle Station (Maria’s father shares his story and mess-ups. He now says: What is the legacy you want to leave? He includes a challenge for grandparents of granddaughters.)
I have to say, I was really touched by Maria’s father’s story. I’ll let you read it to form your own opinion.
Self worth is something that most have struggled with at some time, and Maria gives very real examples in her new book for how to address these situations! Powerful!
Now for the GIVEAWAY. THREE people will win a copy of Your Daughter Needs a Hero.
ANSWER TO WIN:
What’s one example of how you address self-esteem issues with your daughter?2 EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN (come back and tell me):
-Follow Maria’s Your Daughter Needs a Hero Facebook page-Follow Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook
Good Luck and spread the giveaway, if you can, to those who could benefit by Maria’s ministry.
The 3 winners will be announced on RE Facebook page on Monday night, July 2.
I have a 14 year old daughter who, since November has been battling anorexia. She has made wonderful progress, with lots of help from doctors and therapists. If you don’t think this can turn your life upside down in a heartbeat, think again. She is an intelligent, talented, loved child. A few wrong comments made to her by a loved one and a coach and her self-esteem was gone. She was on the verge of being hospitalized and taken out of school. She started loosing her hair, her heart rate was 30 beats per minute, her weight was so low. I am so glad that did not happen. She is doing so much better, now. You can’t love them enough.
Oh Priscilla, my heart breaks for you and your daughter. Don’t you just hate how sharp and damaging words can be? They can wound and stay with you for what feels like a lifetime. But, as children of The King the story does not end there. These years can be painful, but they are not lost. There is always hope. I am just so thankful that your daughter has shared with you what hurt her so bad and that you KNOW what is going. You said it perfectly…you can’t love them enough and you can’t aim enough arrows straight into the heart of poor body image issues. They cut us to the core, but healing can come with a Mom who LOVES as much as you do.
I tell my daughter she is beautiful!
Just followed Maria on Facebook
I follow you on Facebook
I really really need this book: I have 2 tweens and a 13 year old! I think one thing I do right is to not read or subscrib to magazines where the focus is on beauty and sex.
Every morning I wake up my daughter by saying, “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty… ”
Praying.
Followed Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook
:D
Followed Maria’s Your Daughter Needs a Hero Facebook page
I’ve really enjoyed following RE for a few months now. And this morning was so excited to read this blog entry. I work outside of the home full time and have 2 children (both girls-one will be 8 next month and the other will be 2 in October). I’ve struggled with self confidence issues my entire life. Since having my first daughter in 2004 I’ve promised myself i would do everything in my power to give her the tools to not have to endure the same things I did. Lately, I’ve felt like a failure at this. I want to be that involved mom and I am to a point but honestly feel overwhelmed and that most days my girls get the worse part of me and I get the worse part of them because we are all “spent” by the time we are reunited in the evening. I’ve been praying for some type of information to be able to help my now 7 year old with friend issues. I found iShine for tweens and liked a lot of their information but when I saw this I felt like it was from God as well. I would love to start a group like the “BGs”. Maybe evening in conjunction with some of our girls at our church. It amazes me that sometimes the bullying is as much at the church as it is at the schools. I know myself well enough to know that I would definitely consider it a “sign” and HAVE to go forward with this if I won! But I also know all are wishing the same. :) I’ll be praying about purchasing this ebook regardless! Thanks and God Bless!
Tracy
I’ve coached Girls on the Run for the past 8 years-and this past year both of my daughters were in the right age group in order to participate. We talk about a healthy self-esteem and about what is on your inside as well as the influence of the media and peer pressure. I also stress their value as people, children of God, and contributing members of our family.
The subject of this book is so important for our girls. Even as adult women we can sometimes struggle with our self worth when we measure it by the world’s standards. I try to take the focus off the exterior and encourage to be true to herself by finding her voice, trusting that God has a specific plan for her and to embrace her individuality. We learn together!
Thank you for this great post! Still love your book!!!
Being a 14 year old girl was not easy, but I’m finding that parenting a 14 year old girl is harder than I ever imagined! Self-esteem is a daily struggle. How do you teach someone that takes everything said as a criticism straight to the heart? It breaks my heart every day.
Sandy,
I’m so excited to learn about Maria’s book and her ministry. I love connecting with like-minded women and ministry’s.
Fortunately my 14 year old daughter, Grace, is in a pretty good spot right now. But as a teen, that could change in 5 minutes. :)
My goal has always been to remain compassionate and a good listener and to deal with the situation at hand with truth. My truth and more importantly, God’s truth. I struggled horribly with self worth as a teen and followed many paths I shouldn’t have. But, what I’ve experienced has allowed me to create a ministry that would have helped me as a kid. So, it all worked out. :)
Thanks for this opportunity, and for sharing about “Your Daughter Needs a Hero”.
Erin
And I have also followed Maria’s page on Facebook.
Have a wonderful weekend.
I have followed your Facebook page.
Building up our daughter’s is so difficult in this society. While I am always trying to encourage them to let their light shine, and praise them for doing do, I also remind them that they are God’s chosen ones. His Princesses and must live as his chosen child. A strong spiritual mindset goes a long way to creating strong esteem in the world.
Their father and I praise their good choices, lift them up when they are week and remind them often how truly beautiful and special they are. A strong spiritual mindset goes a long way to creating strong esteem in the world.
I love the theme of this book and will look for it in local stores as well!
Sandy, I am now following Maria’s FB page.
Sandy, I follow the Reluctant Entertainer on FB
I’m a fan of RE on Facebook!
I followed My Daughter Needs a Hero on Facebook!
My three daughters are constantly built up in our home… I want them to hear everyday how special, beautiful, smart, loving, etc. they are so hopefully when they face issues in the future, our words will prevail. I’d love to read this book! Thanks!
Honestly, I just talk with her. I tell her that I am hear for her whenever she wants to talk. That is something I could not do with my mother.
I haven’t really figured out my own self esteem issues much less my 14 year old daughters =) I try to focus on being healthy rather than skinny. Focusing on the Lord rather than boys. We don’t watch a lot of commercial television and we don’t have any teen magazines. It helps with not bombarding her with what the world sees as beautiful
Our own security is always a work in progress isn’t it?!? I know mine is. But just the fact that you are focusing on growth in your home, in this specific area, your daughter will surely benefit. I promise :) It is so hard…you are doing awesome!
I follow Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook.
My daughter isn’t due for another ten weeks, so no self-esteem issues yet. I would love to have this book to prepare for the future!