The Good Dad

Becoming the Father You Were Meant to Be

By: Jim Daly

Narrated by: Jim Daly

It’s never too late to be a better father.

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, is an expert in fatherhood—in part because his own "fathers" failed him so badly. His biological dad was an alcoholic. His stepfather deserted him. His foster father accused Jim of trying to kill him. All were out of Jim's life by the time he turned 13.

Isn’t it odd—and reminiscent of the hand of God—that the director of the leading organization on family turned out to be a guy whose own background as a kid and son were pretty messed up? Or could it be that successful parenting is discovered not in the perfect, peaceful household but in the midst of battles and messy situations, where God must constantly be called to the scene?

That is the mystery unraveled in this book. Using his own expertise, humor, and inexhaustible wealth of stories, Jim will show you that God can make you a good dad, a great dad, in spite of the way you’ve grown up and in spite of the mistakes you’ve made. Maybe even because of them.

It’s not about becoming a perfect father. It’s about trying to become a better father, each and every day. It's about building relationships with your children through love, grace, patience, and fun—and helping them grow into the men and women they’re meant to be.

great read for new or old parents.

loved it. provided me with some insight that I will definitely use with my kids.

Every dad should read this

An authentic reminder of God's plan for dads. Read it before you have kids and then read it again later. I have three kids under the age of 10 and wish I would have read this sooner. I'm thankful for the time I still have with them to strengthen the bonds.

Great life lessons on the importance of fatherhood and how dads play a vital role in raising children.

Thoughtful overview of the relevance and criticality if fathers in the raising of their children. The lesson is told via his personal experience as a child who was ignored and abandoned by his biological father.

It seems to focus more on the father-son relationship, but the lessons are applicable for daughters as well.

All around great!

Practical. Straight-forward, and is motivating me to run into challenges as a 32 year old Dad of a 2 year old daughter - rather than give into my temptations to run from the challenges.

real life experiences.

Really enjoyed the book, great perspective and heartfelt thoughts. There were similarities to my life, but one thing I try not to do is bring religion while expressing my life to others at times it can turn people off whether I have beliefs that's a personal thing. The book did connect, but humans pray to different intetties so I myself try to respect that and not sound so self righteous. My two cents.