June 1, 2019 | sobczakd
On Sunday, June 16th we celebrate our dads on Father's Day. But what does it mean to be a dad? Fatherhood and the role of dads have in the family unit has changed over the years. Today's generation of dads are more involved in childcare and sharing responsibility of household chores. Dads do matter. Here's some resources that sheds light on redefination of fatherhood.
Things My Son Needs to Know About the World collects the personal dispatches from the front lines of one of the most daunting experiences any man can experience: fatherhood. As he conveys his profound awe at experiencing all the "firsts" that fill him with wonder and catch him completely unprepared, Fredrik Backman doesn't shy away from revealing his own false steps and fatherly flaws, tackling issues both great and small, from masculinity and mid-life crises to practical jokes and poop. In between the sleep-deprived lows and wonderful highs, Backman takes a step back to share the true story of falling in love with a woman who is his complete opposite, and learning to live a life that revolves around the people you care about unconditionally. Alternating between humorous side notes and longer essays offering his son advice as he grows up and ventures out into the world, Backman relays the big and small lessons in life.
Fatherhood caught David McGlynn by surprise. His sons arrived in quick succession--the first when the author was a dirt-poor student and the second not long after he'd moved his family across the country to start a new job in bucolic Wisconsin. As a result, McGlynn found himself colliding with fatherhood, at once scared to death and utterly thrilled. Just like many new fathers, he hopes he's doing the right thing--but he's never quite sure. One Day You'll Thank Me translates the small, often hilarious moments common among parents of young children, especially dads, into "life lessons" about fatherhood. Comprised of interconnected chapters--many of which have appeared in such prominent publications as The New York Times,Men's Health,Parents,Real Simple, and O, The Oprah Magazine--the stories invoke a sense of humor and honesty that expand our understanding of what it means to be an American dad.
One evening, while his three-month-old son Charlie briefly slept, Matt Coyne staggered to his desk, opened his laptop, and wrote a side-splittingly funny Facebook post about early fatherhood: Comparing his diaper-changing skills to that of a Formula One pit crew, birth to a Saw movie, and the sound of a baby crying at 3am to "having the inside of your skill sandpapered by an angry Viking," he shared his observations with friends and family--and soon, to his surprise, the world. In the spirit of that post, which became an instant sensation, Man vs. Baby is the tale of one man's journey through the first year of parenthood, told with wit, humor, and heart. Part memoir, part tell-it-like-it-is parenting book, this is a ferociously funny, inventively foul-mouthed, and genuinely touching account of a baby's first year, filled with relatable references to Harry Potter, McDonalds, and the villain in Die Hard. Matt covers everything you need to know, from labor (a good time to play "profanity bingo") to what you might find in your baby's diaper, a catalogue that includes The Phantom, The Expressionist, and The Jeff Goldblum. Capturing both the comic helplessness of new fatherhood and his deep love and admiration for his partner Lyndsay and child, Matt's story will appeal to anyone who has a baby--or is even contemplating the idea. Whether you're looking for a reprieve from the news cycle or a reminder of what's most important in life, Man vs. Baby will have you laughing out loud--and, if you're a new mother or father, filled with relief at being truly understood.
A fresh take on the bewilderment and joy of having a baby from a rip-roaringly talented new voice, this combination memoir and advice book is sure to charm parents everywhere.
Once again written in Pegula's everyman voice and filled with humorous takes on fatherhood from the front lines, the book is an easy-to-read resource for new dads, combining hard-won lessons learned, pitfalls to avoid, and practical advice from a dude who hasn't lost his identity (or his sanity). Filled with useful information, hilarious stories of dad madness, a little psychology and science, and engaging sidebars, Diaper Dudecovers everything from bonding, babyproofing, and when you'll have sex again to toddlerhood, tantrums, and tag-teaming with your partner to cover all the bases while staying (somewhat) sane.
For the September 2016 issue of GQ, Michael Chabon wrote a piece about accompanying his son Abraham Chabon, then thirteen, to Paris Men's Fashion Week. Possessed with a precocious sense of style, Abe was in his element chatting with designers he idolized and turning a critical eye to the freshest runway looks of the season; Chabon Sr., whose interest in clothing stops at "thrift-shopping for vintage western shirts or Hermès neckties," sat idly by, staving off yawns and fighting the impulse that the whole thing was a massive waste of time. Despite his own indifference, however, what gradually emerged as Chabon ferried his son to and from fashion shows was a deep respect for his son's passion. The piece quickly became a viral sensation. With the GQ story as its centerpiece, and featuring six additional essays plus an introduction, Pops illuminates the meaning, magic, and mysteries of fatherhood as only Michael Chabon can.
Music journalist Chris Kornelis didn't know the first thing about pregnancy when his wife gave him the big news. Navigating the world as a father-to-be, amid the pressure to do everything "right," he realized that conventional wisdom and parenting experts don't always provide the best advice. Rocking Fatherhood provides a week-by-week guide to pregnancy and encourages new dads to take advantage of the twenty-first century opportunities for creative fatherhood roles that were unavailable to previous generations. This compelling guide covers everything from swaddling to sex. With wisdom gained through extensive reporting, personal experience, and advice from dads such as James Dyson (the vacuum guy), Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), Aaron Franklin (the BBQ king), and a special foreword by Guns N' Roses co-founder Duff McKagan.
For new dads, So You're Going to Be a Dad is the bottom line on pregnancy, childbirth, newborns, and young children. Inspiring and down-to-earth, the guide prepares readers for the changes, challenges, and joys of parenthood, from what to say (and what not to say) when she shares the big news to navigating the delivery room and first days as a family. Now fully updated, the guide offers the latest information and thinking on: Today's delivery methods and medical procedures Social media and the online parenting world Baby gear you really need and much more.