Rob Pluke

A son to be proud of Rob Pluke

We love our sons. We want to support them. We want to help them achieve all that they can. But it's not always easy. Our sons aren't us. They have their own minds, their own ways, and they don't always want our advice. At times like these, what should a father do? Should he leave his son be, and 'just love him'? Or should he still push a bit? And if so, what's the best way to do this? Such questions form the heart of this book - how dads cope when things don't pan quite like we hoped they would. Central to this problem is the seldom explored topic of disappointment in the father-son relationship. The author shows how this challenging, and sometimes gut-wrenching experience can be pivotal to the ways fatherhood can transform us as men. Based on solid research and real-life examples, the book gives dads a chance to reflect on the expectations we all tend to carry, and to consider some of the key differences between 'good' and 'bad' pushing. The book also helps fathers to think through the issue of 'difference' between themselves and their sons, and ways this can be taken forward for good.