Directed speci?cally at men, A Man's Greatest Challenge recognises the pivotal role that men play in parenting. Parenting is one of the hardest and most rewarding of human endeavours. Unlike the simple task of driving a car, there is no licensure, no road test, no "rules of the road" manual required to begin, and sadly many men today are giving up in this endeavour. Our world is suffering from an ever increasing crisis in terms of fatherlessness which many experts say is the most harmful demographic trend of this generation.

I believe that being a father is the greatest challenge and the most rewarding task of a man's life. Drawing on my personal experiences as a father, teacher, minister and a youth worker across a wide range of environments/situations in several different countries, in this book I share some of the insights, keys and principles that I have observed, learned and practiced. I have endeavoured to present them in an effective, easy-to-follow format that I believe will help you as a man to become an effective father. Some of the things I address are:

• The effects of fatherlessness in our society.

• The fundamental requirements for being an effective father.

• Six basic keys or principles that form the pattern for fathering and how to apply them.

• Understanding the differences between your children and helping you to father them as individuals.

• Dealing with the unexpected.

• Identifying the 5 major areas that can derail you as a father.

As a father the efforts you make are important. While you and your children are unique the challenges that you face as a father are not unique. As fathers we are all in the same 'fight'; we are all walking out a similar journey and we are all in the process of learning and growing. None of us have arrived, but we can all learn from one another and together we can make a positive change in our society.

Whatever your background or past experiences, you can be an effective father! You can be a man that makes a positive impact not only your own children but on the generations to come. Fathering is your greatest challenge, but you can succeed. At times it is hard work, but it is worth it all.