Realizing the Power of Love: How a Father and Teenage Daughter Became Best Friends … and How You Can Too!

Reviewer's Bookwatch, March, 2005 by Judine Slaughter

Realizing the Power of Love: How a Father and Teenage Daughter Became Best Friends...and How You Can Too!

V. Michael Santoro and Jennifer S. Santoro

Publish America

ISBN: 1413715109; $19.95; 196 pp.

Description: Recognizing communication misunderstandings

There's a special relationship between every parent and child. In the beginning, it's the family bond, which causes the parents to love unconditionally and the for the children to obey. That's works well when the family is young. Then the children grow to become independent thinkers. The teenage years can blend smoothly or completely break the harmony of the family, depending on the loving tone set from infancy to adolescence.

"Realizing the Power of Love" explains how good communication between a father and daughter helped to improve the parent-child relationship. In the early years, Dad Santoro's job kept him away from his family for long periods of time. This could have been a ripe opportunity to burn the bridge of trust with daughter Jennifer. But Dad Santoro developed habits of recognizing the non-verbal clues, traits and character of his daughter Jennifer. Most of the chapters in the book outline his best practices to how he improved his character to set a good example daughter Jennifer. "No matter how great a communicator you are, there will be times when your daughter will catch you off guard with a topic that makes you angry. When this happens, it is imperative that you think before your react, which is usually easier said than done." (pg 65)

But he was successful. Daughter Jennifer explains how she spoke to Dad Santoro with respect, even when upset. Controlling her response by writing down what she really wanted to say, helped bring an awareness of how words can hurt. She knows it takes two to make a great relationship work correctly. "Being best friends with your father is a team effort and just like any other relationship, it takes effort to make it work." (pg 155) As a bonus, communication building exercises get the reader involved by showing the reader how to apply what the authors have learned.

V. Michael Santoro and Jennifer Santoro do a fantastic job by working together to assist other families build better relationships. It's great to hear from both generations about developing a true friendship. Although he started early on the relationship with his daughter, it's never too late to begin applying the techniques of good communication with your child. I recommend "Realizing the Power of Love" for all parents and children, no matter which gender.

Judine Slaughter, Reviewer

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