First time Dad - What books should I read?

[MrDarcy]

So i'm going to be a Dad, and well to be honest, i'm terrified and excited all in equal measures.

There seems to be a plethora of information floating around online of what to do and what not to do etc... So I figured i'd get a book or two to read as well as using online resources.

Was hoping I could maybe get one or two recommendations of books that have helped other Dads.

I desperately want to be the best Dad i can possibly be, so all suggestions are welcomed.

Thank you in advance.

[mikey9]

Any of Steve Biddulph's books- for boys - "Raising Boys" - for both " the Secret of Happy Children" and he has a new one too if you have a girl.

Worth ordering from the library....[Smile]

[ubik]

I always really liked Penelope Leach. She is a psychologist and very good at explaining things from your child's point of view depending on their developmental stage. She has fabulous ideas for entertaining your child which require no money, she is also very practical so there is alot of good advice about childcare, about siblings and later childhood.

really worth a read

[MumVsKids]

There is also a bloody good Haynes manual for babies, DH had it for our first as did Dbro, it's genius!!

[Piemother]

Look up The Reluctant Fathers Club . It's a memoir rather than a guide but we both got a lot from that book.
What every parent needs to know is also brilliant for emotional/psychological
Stuff

[GiveMeSomeSpace]

MrDarcy don't be scared, be very excited. You're life is going to become so much richer!

I wish I'd read more about life from a child's perspective, because I've struggled to work it out for myself, and it hasn't been easy.

Just don't worry too much and try to make things easy for yourselves. That's my biggest recommendation.

Good luck :)

[thegirlwiththebrokensmile]

I got my dp 'Goodbye pert breasts-diary of a new born dad' deals with the pregnancy and newborn days in a very funny way. Think it's the only book he ever read. Congratulations btw

[Daddelion]

Just dive in, change as many nappies as you can, spend as much time with your child as you can, do feeds whenever you can etc.

Men can look after babies just as well, mothers don't have a psychic gift, so just be involved.

[Pan]

I can't recall what books I read when dd was coming along. I do remember that a lot of them were v contradictory and some where the authors were a bit up their own arses, tbh.

Overall though I'm v of you. Having dd was a very happy time and I'd love to go back there.
General stuff?

• what Daddelion says. Get stuck in. You'll make errors but short of dropping them badly it's all recoverable.
  
• just love the dc unconditionally. You'll be meeting someone far more important than you.
  
• don't get hung up about 'development' milestones - they get there in their own time.
  
• DON'T pay out too much money to Mothercare or Boots - these places will drain your money with no obv benefit that can't be sourced cheaper - 2nd hand is good.
  
• have confidence in your own abilities, even if it's your and your partner's first. And keep talking to your little ones. They'll pick up your love through your tone.
  

And enjoy. It really does go so so fast!

and did I say 'love them'?

[MiconiumHappens]

Grurgles Sleeping: solved was my bible!
Worth every penny!

[gybegirl]

Really really recommend Fatherhood by Marcus Berkman. Funny, informative, realistic. My other half liked it (as did I, but it's definitely written for blokes).

[Pan]

oh, and this is your time to break up any poor parenting practices of your parents.

[Piemother]

Daddelion what's wrong with him reading some books as well?

[Pan]

I don't think Daddelion, or me, was saying reading books is 'bad'.

[ironhorse]

i didnt read any books on the subject because books are only someone elses perspective on their experience - one person says do x this way, the other person says do x that way - who do you believe? Also think the person who has written the book has not met my child or knows what their like so their advice may be wrong - i also know a few friends who wouldnt do anything without consulting their baby books - WTF is that about? it made them paranoid and their parenting methods were very rigid and when things didnt work that the books said worked they got pretty down about it.

Personally I dont think life is about following rules in a book - after all if you were going to the pub you wouldnt read a book about going to the pub and how to behave (though some people might benefit from a book like that). Follow your instincts and you wont go far wrong.

[Piemother]

Not directly but Ironhorse did. Fgs

[ironhorse]

piemother what are you trying to say?