Product Description

The text’s major premise is that the role of fathers is essential to promote healthy child development and appropriate role modeling. The book exhorts the role of fatherhood in the lives of children. Daddy’s Hugs offers striking commentary on the plight of fatherless children. Fathers are portrayed as more than financial breadwinners. Instead, they are depicted as essential emotional caregivers. The book praises and provides examples of fathers who take an active role in parenting. There is an excellent balance of positive, negative, and neutral fathering role models. The humorous vignettes make this book an easy read. The book is able to stray away from the common mistake of male bashing. The devaluation of the role of fathers and their inadequate preparation for this role is explored in-depth. Women are not viewed as passive victims to be exploited by males, but as active participants in child rearing and parenting.

It reveals groundbreaking insight into the importance of male role models to prepare males for life and women for mate selection. It is one of the most radical paradigm shifts in child development, since Dr. Benjamin Spock's Baby and Child Care. This book is excellent for mothers, fathers, children, potential parents and partners, as well as those who will work with individuals, families, or are in need of a good laugh.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3467206 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

From the Author
My personal pains because of my father's absence and the pain that I have seen in others have triggered this book. My father was taken from my life without his consent. He never walked away from his fatherly responsibility, yet, the pain is still the same. It left deep wounds in my life. Out of necessity, this book will refer to some of the incidents related in A Journey to Hell and Back.

About the Author
: Charlotte Russell Johnson is the author of A Journey to Hell and Back. She was instrumental in establishing Teens Empowerment Awareness with ReSolutions, Inc. (TEARS) based in Phenix City, AL. Charlotte has a BS in Health Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University where she graduated Phi Kappa Phi and magna cum laude. She was one of the first recipients of the Kennon and Parker Academic Scholarship from Columbus State University. Additionally, she received several honors’ awards. She received her MA from Troy State University in Community Psychology in Counseling. She is currently pursuing a DMin in Christian Counseling from Beacon College and Graduate School. She has also attended the graduate program of Southern Christian University. However, she states her GED remains her proudest degree.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
My son, Herman, was "special before his birth." He was always very active, rough, adventurous, or shall we just say, "all boy." In A Journey to Hell and Back, I shared several of his escapades, and I am going to share yet another. Actually, I could write a book about his numerous adventures.

During his early years, it was necessary for us to make several trips to the hospital emergency room. He was always getting into something. When he was around four years old, I noticed that his pinkie finger was crooked on his right hand. It was also slightly swollen. This was obviously not the normal condition of his finger. As a concerned and dutiful mother, I began to question him.

"Herman what happened to your finger?"

"Oh, I hurt it the other day playing football."

"Who were you playing with?"

"Buck Daddy and Uncle Teddy."

"Tell me what happened."

"When I caught the ball, my finger went back."

"Where was I when this happened? I don’t remember hearing you cry."

He responded simply, "You were in the house but I didn’t cry."

"You didn’t cry! Well, did it hurt?’

"Yes! But I didn’t cry."

"Why?"

"They said, real men don’t cry."

We took Herman to the hospital emergency room. The x-rays revealed that the bones of his broken finger had begun to grow back together in the deformed pattern. If we wanted the finger to heal correctly, the bone would have to be broken and reset. Like a "Real Man," he didn’t cry, but the damage remained. How many times has this scenario been repeated with different boys and different circumstances? They didn’t cry but an invisible pain or injury remained.

Who invented this myth? Who invented this lie? Who said real men don’t cry? Even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ cried. As He stood near the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus, our Savior began to weep. He knew that He held the power to raise Lazarus from the dead. However, He wept. He displayed for us a normal reaction to pain and suffering. And yes, a real man cried.

How easy it is for us to disregard the examples and teachings of Jesus, and continue with Pharisaical traditions. If only we could learn to let love and grace richly abound. The results would exceed our greatest expectations. Real love transcends rigid traditions.

Now let your unfailing love
comfort me, just as you promised me, your
servant. Psalms 119:76 NLT

My brother-in-law is usually seen with at least two babies in his arms, sometimes three. He’s not concerned about rigid traditions or stereotypes. He’s more concerned about showering his children with Daddy’s hugs, Daddy’s kisses, and Daddy’s love. Kayla will share Daddy’s hugs, Daddy’s kisses, and Daddy’s love. However, after a few minutes, she wants all the hugs, kisses, and love for herself. She fights Cameron for the position in their Daddy’s arms. Cameron allows her to have her way. He refuses to hit his younger sister. Cameron is four years older than Kayla. She’s agreeable to sharing with three month old Nicholas, at least until he’s old enough to fight.

Customer Reviews

TOUCHING Messeges
Daddy¡¦s Hug¡¦s is an inspirational book about male role in the family circle. It is an important message to all men. We¡¦re the HEAD and not the TAILS, meaning we should always be there for our kids and family. Monetary reasons make this mandatory. Our presence is the key in raising healthy children, both physical and mentally. Our kids have reflections on other people¡¦s lives. When we¡¦re absent in their lives the same pattern continues.

A Looking Glass
I have read both of Charlotte's books. In fact, after reading A Journey to Hell & Back, I was compelled to read her new book. I thoroughly enjoyed both books. However, reading Daddy's Hugs was like looking in a mirror. I'm waiting on the next one.

Praise the Lord!!!!
I just finished reading Charlotte's book.
What a wonderful ending....Praise the Lord!