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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Book for DH

14 replies

tyaca · 13/12/2007 23:08

about parenting... any suggestions? I've been sticking head in sand, and all i've read is Baby Whisperer, and that's only cause SIL sent it. DH gave it a go and was appalled. Really pleased he wants to read something - should be encouraged! we've missed the window of getting into any ante natal groups and i think he's got the heeby jeebies....

all recommendations welcome. also, i know a lot of people have v dif opinions about books, and i confess i'm just going to wing it myself, so the book is more about being accessible and non-wishy washy rather than whether people think it's a good approach to bringing up baby or not.

does that make sense? i'd rather he engaged with something he then completely ignored once LO arrives...

cheers in advance

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Original poster
tyaca · 13/12/2007 23:09

and apologies for my appalling sentences.

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wrinklytum · 13/12/2007 23:14

For a funny book on parenting,for dads, I would reccomend "When Did You Last See Your Father" by Jeremy Hardy the comedian!!! probably not what you had in mind but it made dp and I laugh.

I really don't know re serious books.My real advice-ignore the books and go with your instincts!!!

TheHerdNerd · 13/12/2007 23:16

Tricky - when dw was preggers with dd, I looked for books. Most of the books for dads approach the subject from the "okay, you're an ape. Now you have to be less of an ape. Here's how" angle.

Also, most of the men's books try to be all bloky and delight in lavishing all sorts of details about all sorts of deeply horrible birth stories on you.

The one that I found that was quite good (but really avoid the birth stories!) was "Fatherhood: the Truth" by Markus Berkmann.

karen999 · 13/12/2007 23:19

Oh, my dp got a brilliant book from his mum when I was expecting. It is funny but really informative. My dp has read it from cover to cover and it has really helped him. Its called "The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year" by Armin A Brott....x

fortyplus · 13/12/2007 23:32

We used 'Toddler Taming' as our Bible for several years! It's not just about toddlers - it starts with very sensible advice about babies, delivered in a humorous way.

stockings · 13/12/2007 23:40

I bought A-Z of babies for my DH which is lovely book but not if you are looking for something practical. Try Haines Manual for Babies - my husband seemed to find the pictures of different coloured poo amusing- until after ds was born.

Original poster
tyaca · 13/12/2007 23:52

ty for all your responses - going to check out ebay now

wrinklytum - i love jeremy hardy so may get that anyway! agree with you about instinct. i think i'm being HUGELY optimistic, but i cant help but think i'll just know most of the stuff i need to know...

herdnerd - think you're right that the last thing he needs is a book aimed specifically at men could be worst of all worlds! may be better off with gina ford. ty for berkman tip off.

stockings -- anything with the word Manual in it sounds good

OP posts:
PuppyDogEyes · 14/12/2007 00:30

i've just ordered annabel karmel -complete first year planner.

i've been told its sort of a guide of how to do stuff, and is broken down by development ages.

not specifically for men, so you might find it useful too.

i've been told its a easy read and quite good for quick reference.

i'll have to post again, when i receive it.

moocowme · 14/12/2007 09:31

DH found "fatherhood" was good. trying hard to get him to read some more about development so he knows what to expect.

chunkypudding · 14/12/2007 10:44

I bought 'From here to Paternity, diary of a pregnant dad' (??? how does that work then!!) for my dp as it had been recommended on amazon - TBH neither of us could stand it, it was sooooo annoying!

Felt like the guy writing it was hoping everyone would think he was a saint and so his every reaction to pretty much everything was just what a woman would want to hear (apart from a 30 sec freak out at beginning of pg.)

as it was supposed to be a candid look at a man's reaction to pregnancy and his fears etc it just made my dp feel rubbish as the writer was just so saintly! He was even talking to 'the baby' at something like 8 weeks, at which point my dp was still a gibbering wreck!

btw yes our pregnancy was planned tho it may not sound like it!

I ended up putting my 'Rough Guide to Pregnancy' in the loo so he's been tackling that bit by bit... a bloke will read anything if it is left beside a toliet!!!!!

Original poster
tyaca · 14/12/2007 10:57

chunky - lol re loo thoughts. reckon i'd need to chuck out the ever growing collection of 4-4-2 and Empire magazines

puppy - please do let me know your thoughts on that planner thing, it sounds ideal!

stockings - ebay'd the haynes manual and looked really funny. my bro is about to have his first so may buy him a copy... love the retro spoof design.

cheers guys for all the tips.

i think i am going to try him on some of the more mainstream not-for-men-specifically books, poss Ford's CLB because i'd assume that'd be as un-earth mama as possible.

keep 'em coming

OP posts:
bluebell82 · 17/12/2007 13:36

I bought my dh 'a blokes guide to pregnancy' by Jon Smith, had lots of laughs reading it together!

MuffinMclay · 17/12/2007 13:57

Dh liked this one. It is very short, but far more useful, sensible, and down to earth than any of the others (and we must have bought every baby manual going). It is even funny in places.

It isn't a blokey book, as such, but addressed at both parents equally, I'd say.

paulaplumpbottom · 17/12/2007 13:58

I liked the one by Ian Banks. Very funny

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