Grief Sets the Pace
Michelle Watson
Grief is a tender place to be.
We never choose it, but it chooses us. Better said, there’s no escaping the kind of excruciating pain we experience while on earth over the loss of a loved one.
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The Abba Project Is Re-Launching ONLINE in October! 🥳🎉
Michelle Watson
Hello to each of you—dads, daughters, moms…grandparents…and all!
I’m excited to announce that I’m re-launching THE ABBA PROJECT in a first-ever ONLINE forum!
The Abba Project Explained: As most of you know, this group started in Portland, Oregon in January 2010 for dads with daughters in their teens and 20’s. The main goal was to see dads intentionally and consistently turn their HEARTS, not just their HEADS, towards their girls. I saw profound life change and true relational healing year after year, and the amazing thing is that I continue to receive positive feedback from many of the men even to this day.
Fun story: This summer a dad emailed me to share that he followed my directives to put his love into writing during the group when his daughter was 15. He decided to go “all in” and write one letter a day for a few months and she never said anything…so he assumed she’d thrown them away. She’s now 30, married, and one day a week he watches his grandson. Recently his daughter told him she found the box with all the letters he’d written her during that time and said how much they meant to her! How incredible is that?!
Brief History: After ten consecutive years, the last in-person group of The Abba Project I led was in 2019, right before Covid closed everything down. Then I married Ken in 2020 (whoo hoo!) and in 2021 I moved to Arkansas. In addition to now being in my 30th year of private practice as a licensed professional counselor, over the past five years I’ve had a very full plate with lots of podcasting, travel, speaking alone and with Ken, AND investing in our grandkids…with our 20th on the way! Additionally, I haven’t had a clear word from God about re-starting the group. UNTIL NOW, that is!
Present Update: I’m thrilled that NOW is the time for dads across the country to join this movement through an online forum. I still receive emails regularly with requests to join The Abba Project after men read my books, hear me on the radio or a podcast (including The Dad Whisperer Podcast, which is now in it’s 10th season!), or meet me at a conference. I’m thrilled that I can now say, “YES—you can join the group from wherever you live!”
My Ask: This is where I’d love your help in spreading the word so that a new group of 12 courageous men can participate and step into leading a deeper relationship with their daughter no matter where they live. It’s first come-first serve so encourage men to take acton with a prompt response.
I’ll attach a flyer that you can share with others. For easy reference, here’s a few specifics:
· October 5, 2026 through March 1, 2027
· Once a month on Monday nights for two hours
· $600 (includes a 45-minute preliminary interview plus all training + teaching materials)
Every dad will experience peer support, training on topics relating to fathering a daughter, personal skill-building exercises, and accountability to support action.
Last, thank you for your collaboration and connection over the years. It’s a joy to touch base here and network as together we share a kindred spirit passion to see dads better equipped to dial in to their daughter’s hearts.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I’m attaching a flyer below that you can send to any Girldads you know with a teenage or 20-something daughter. Go Dads!
Big hugs from my heart to yours, Dr. Michelle
49 Conversation Ice Breakers to Make You a Better Communicator with Your Daughter (Guest Blog by Dr. Joe Martin)
Michelle Watson
Let’s face it, most of us as men struggle when it comes to meaningful communication with our wives, girlfriends, children, friends, and even other men.
Read MoreLike Father, Like Daughter
Michelle Watson
We’ve all heard it said that the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” For some of us that’s a compliment while for others it feels more like a curse… or at least a major bummer.
Read MoreAn Open Letter to Daughters Everywhere (Guest Blog by Don Blackwell)
Michelle Watson
Dads are notoriously poor communicators when it comes to feelings, especially with their daughters.
Read MoreOut of Love for My Father
Michelle Watson
With Father’s Day being this past Sunday, I’m still in celebration mode for you dads! I love that we have this day every year to focus on telling you how grateful we are for you.
Read MoreFinding Hope When You Just Want Father’s Day to Be Over
Michelle Watson
I want to be a catalyst in facilitating healing for those with unresolved father issues so we can be healthier people regardless of the hand we were dealt.
Read MoreNeed a Father’s Day Gift That Will Extend Father’s Day Throughout the Year?
Michelle Watson
With Father’s Day just around the corner, I thought I’d drop in and suggest a gift that lasts long beyond the day itself: BOOKS! With the content in both of my two books for GirlDads being evergreen, this could be a great gift for any dad you know!
Read MoreClosing the Dream Gap
Michelle Watson
Over the past few years a new term has emerged called the ‘Dream Gap.’ You may have already heard of it, but for me this is something I just learned about recently. And because it’s rocking my world, I wanted to bring it to your attention, Dads.
Read MoreFathering Regrets from Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight
Michelle Watson
For the bulk of my life I lived in Portland, Oregon in the heart of Nike country. In fact, the church I attended for over 25 years is on the street where the company’s world headquarters resides.
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