101 Things I Want to Say to My Daughter, Andrea, on Beginning Her Career

An affectionate advice and how-to manual for an adult child.

Wood (101 Things I Want to Say to My Daughter, Meghan, on Beginning College, 2013, etc.) presents “words of wisdom” to his daughter as she embarks on her post-college career, compiling 101 lessons for parents to impart to their children. Each page focuses on one piece of advice, and the book’s simple design is easy on the eye, ideal for either a quick read or a casual but meaningful perusal. The lessons certainly apply to the working world, but many draw on experiences throughout childhood, such as “We learn from our mistakes more than we do from our successes,” “Stay on the good road and never be hurtful” and “The bad things will pass with time.” Wood balances useful career advice with personal insights on how to live a good life: “[W]hen you're an employee: Let it go or be let go” and that oft-quoted key to business success, “First In, Last Out (FILO).” These ideas are countered with such aphorisms as “[B]e more cautious beyond your job….Be sensible” and “You’re human. You'll make mistakes.…Just say you’re sorry.” The author skillfully divides the book into two sections: The first contains “pithy advice,” while the second offers a dictionary of “powerful words” emphasizing the importance of family and the joys of parenting, love and marriage. Wood also succinctly and tactfully addresses such knotty issues as divorce, abortion and religion, as well as death and grief. Wisely and appropriately, the “powerful words” section opens with “Moms” and concludes with “Love”—a simple proclamation of his eternal love for his daughter. Parents will likely benefit from reading this book and sharing it with their older children.

A welcome adjunct to the wealth of how-to parenting literature.