Do Better!: How One Father Gained Wisdom from Texting His Teen Daughter

by Norman W. Holden

What father hasn't struggled to communicate with his teenage daughter?
Most will say it is not easy on a good day. And with the advent of social media, this undertaking only becomes more complex-a harsh reality, leaving many fathers perplexed and wondering what to do next.
In Do Better!, Norman W. Holden (aka Norm) is the dad that takes the road less traveled. Searching for the solution that will make the difference, this father attempts to bridge the communication gap with his daughter using the very same technology that is designed to distract. After employing a daily texting regimen for more than a year, Norm discovers that the answers aren't as simple as he expected. His unique approach to communicating with his daughter delivers a journey of personal introspection and shared wisdom from a father's perspective.
If you are a parent struggling to get through to your distracted young adult, this is the book for you. Read on.

230 pages, Hardcover

Published April 20, 2021

About the author

From concrete laborer to construction executive and author, Norman W. Holden is a no-nonsense patriot raised in the American ethos rooted in hard work, perseverance, and down-to-earth values. A student of life, Norman brings his passion for history, leadership, and personal growth to all of his work. Artfully tapping into his own life experiences, he shares the retelling of very different and impactful personal stories.

Reviews

[Chel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this world of endless communication modes, maybe communication is harder than ever before. This book was interesting - the author began a series of text messages to his daughter after her University graduation, in an effort to impart knowledge. I was keen to read this book because my children are embarking on their teen years, and I'm very aware of how short that period of influence is before they become adults . I was curious about how he had found a way to communicate with his eldest child at a point where he felt he was 'losing' the connection. She had been a Daddy's girl, but over time was communicating less. I suppose it's a common fear for many parents, and one I'm a little worried about as a parent. As for the book, the text messages themselves got a little repetitive and I did struggle with reading some of the motivational messages. I worried sometimes it sounded like lecturing, and the author himself commented on that through the book. He had to consider his motivation - why was he sharing, and was it having the effect he wanted? It was his reflections that I found most interesting and kept me engaged with the book. This book certainly won't be for everyone, but it's an interesting reflection on parenting, and communication. Thanks to NetGalley and Norman W Holden for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman Holden wants to find a better way to reconnect with his adult daughter. His daughter is always on her phone so he gets the brilliant idea to communicate through texting. I was really rooting for this father to succeed and find a better way to reach his daughter who had started to pull away from the family. Unfortunately, although the idea was great, the execution was a failure. The book lists every text he sends his daughter every day for months. Texts filled with great advice and wisdom but that unfortunately fail to make a personal connection. Although the father fails, this was a great book to learn from. Norman learned some really good lessons on communication and so do his readers.