9/2/2020 Love Her Well: 10 Ways to Find Joy and Connection with Your Teenage Daughter by Kari Kampakis

Paperback : 240 pages
Publisher : Thomas Nelson (August 18, 2020)

For many women, having a baby girl is a dream come true. Yet as girls grow up, the narrative of innocence and joy changes to gloom and doom as moms are told, “Just wait until she’s a teenager!” and handed a disheartening script that treats a teenage girl’s final years at home as solely a season to survive.

Author and blogger Kari Kampakis suggests it’s time to change the narrative and mind-set that lead moms to parent teen girls with a spirit of defeat, not strength. By improving the foundation, habits, and dynamics of the relationship, mothers can connect with their teen daughters and earn a voice in their lives that allows moms to offer guidance, love, wisdom, and emotional support.

As a mom of four daughters (three of whom are teenagers), Kari has learned the hard way that as girls grow up, mothers must grow up too. In Love Her Well, Kari shares ten ways that moms can better connect with their daughters in a challenging season, including:choosing their words and timing carefully, listening and empathizing with her teen’s world, seeing the good and loving her for who she is, taking care of themselves and having a support system, and more.

This book isn’t a guide to help mothers “fix” their daughters or make them behave. Rather, it’s about a mom’s journey, doing the heart work and legwork necessary to love a teenager while still being a strong, steady parent. Kari explores how every relationship consists of two imperfect sinners, and teenagers gain more respect for their parents when they admit (and learn from) their mistakes, apologize, listen, give grace, and try to understand their teens’ point of view. Yes, teenagers need rules and consequences, but without a connected relationship, parents may never gain a significant voice in their lives or be a safe place they long to return to.

By admitting her personal failures and prideful mistakes that have hurt her relationships with her teenage daughters, Kari gives mothers hope and reminds them all things are possible through God. By leaning on him, mothers gain the wisdom, guidance, protection, and clarity they need to grow strong relationships with their daughters at every age, especially during the critical teen years.

THOUGHTS/REVIEW:

As a mother to a teenage girl, this was the perfect book for me. My daughter, my first born child was my miracle baby and truly a dream come true that completed my family - my own family. As I read Kari's book, I find that I agreed, nodded my head a lot - her words and guidance provide wonderful wisdom and the support all mothers need. I found her life experience and what she has shared to be so comforting and loving - never preachy but like having a best friend and a great support system.

I wanted my mother to have had read this book - it would have helped her and myself. What I loved is that I did not need to be the perfect mom to my teenage daughter. We are allowed to make mistakes along the way and give grace to ourselves and our children. The teen years are critical for our teenagers and yes it is tough, but with the right mindset and guidance, it didn't have to be the painful years, but some of the best years as a parent to a child.

Kari Kampakis book, Love Her Well is not only a wonderful guide to parents, but is also inspirational and hopeful. Full of love and practical advice, Kari Kampakis provides sound guidance to empathizing in our role as a parent and to solidify the loving connection with our teens.

What a great read I needed. I highly recommend.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a blogger, author, speaker, and newspaper columnist from Birmingham, Alabama.

Her bestselling books, 10 ULTIMATE TRUTHS GIRLS SHOULD KNOW and LIKED: WHOSE APPROVAL ARE YOU LIVING FOR?, have been used widely across the country by teen youth groups and small groups to empower girls through faith.

Kari’s work has been featured on The Huffington Post, TODAY Parents, and other national outlets. She and her husband, Harry, have four daughters and a dog named Lola.

Learn more by visiting www.karikampakis.com or finding Kari on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.