your dad is right, sorry i hate to break it to you! But driving a automatic at first is just easier and will help you learn the aspect of driving and controlling the car. Also driving the same roads to get use to them and then start branching out. Repetition is key, like anything we learn in life is about doing it over and over. Nobody is a master the first time.
After a month and you have it mastered, throw in the stick and you should be good.