Adventures in Fatherhood: 11 Unique Parenting Books for Dads
There is more to the world of parenting books than just What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
While those kinds of reference books can be invaluable to those expecting their first baby — and also pants-wettingly terrifying — they only address certain aspects of what it really means to be a parent.
Also, speaking from my own personal experience, most parenting books tend to be focused solely on the mother, which … I get. I do. I will not in any way try to argue that becoming a parent is equally hard for women and men. My personal transition into parenting was difficult, but it didn’t involve words like “gestation” or “mucus plug,” so, yes, moms win the “who had it harder” debate hands-down.
That said, it doesn’t mean things are easy for dads, so, because parenting books can be such a lifeline to nervous new parents, I think it’s wonderful when there are books out there for men that really speak to the “dad experience” specifically.
I thought I’d collect this list of wonderful books about both the logistics and the emotions of becoming a dad. If you know a nervous father-to-be, trust me, they will find some solace — or at least some commiseration — in these pages.
This list originally appeared on ReadBrightly.com.
-
1
Add to BookshelfDiaper Dude
by Chris Pegula and Frank Meyer
Becoming a dad is a BIG lifestyle change for most men, so Chris Pegula has put together a fast, fun guide to help men make it through the baby years without freaking out. Pegula started the Diaper Dude brand, which makes dad-friendly baby products — speaking from experience, it’s SO nice to be able to buy a diaper bag now that doesn’t look like a big purse — and his message of how to become a father without losing one’s self-identity will speak to anxious soon-to-be dads everywhere.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
-
2
Add to Bookshelf
A Dude’s Guide to Baby Size
by Taylor Calmus
Taylor Calmus takes an unconventional approach to expectant fatherhood in this hilarious guide to pregnancy for men. With humor and honesty, he guides dads-to-be through each stage of pregnancy, giving them fun facts, music recs, and advice every step of the way. Readers will appreciate his insights and authenticity as he explains the ups, downs, ins, and outs of supporting a pregnant partner and preparing for the big day.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$22.00Buy from Other Retailers:
-
3
Add to Bookshelf
The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad
by Shannon Carpenter
Shannon Carpenter pens a helpful guide to the wild world of becoming a stay-at-home dad — something more and more fathers are choosing. With humor, anecdotes, and practical advice on everything from cooking to mental health, this book offers fathers actionable ways to tap into their inner strengths and become the best parent possible.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$17.00Buy from Other Retailers:
-
4
Add to Bookshelf
New Dad, Same Bad Jokes
by Slade Wentworth
Every parent knows how challenging a baby’s first year is. This book offers new dads a break from the stress with a daily cringe-worthy joke, helpful advice, and space to record important moments in their child’s life. Besides blowing raspberries on your baby’s belly, this book will be the best part of your day.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$11.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
5
Add to Bookshelf
Outdoor Kids in an Inside World
by Steven Rinella
If you’d like to reduce screen time and increase your child’s sense of adventure in the outdoors, this bestselling book is a must-have. Outdoor expert Steven Rinella gives you a practical guide to getting outside and spending quality time with your family through camping, fishing, hunting, gardening, and more.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
-
6
Add to Bookshelf
Be the Coolest Dad on the Block
by Simon Rose and Steve Caplin
People have certain expectations of dads. If you’re a dad, you need to know how to burp the alphabet; how to sing fun, inappropriate songs around a campfire; or how to tell the perfect “dad joke.” You also need to be able to hold yourself up as an authority on every topic known to man and, if you don’t know something, you need to be able to fake it until another adult who knows better shows up. But where do you learn all that? Fortunately, this book can help — Be the Coolest Dad on the Block offers an irreverent, engaging guide to how dads can reach their ultimate dad-ness and become the most fun father in their neighborhood.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$22.00Buy from Other Retailers:
-
7
Add to Bookshelf
When I First Held You
by Brian Gresko
Trying to prepare yourself to become a father is a difficult experience. You can buy all the stuff and read all of the “how to” guides, but the emotional aspect of fatherhood … how do you prepare for that? One way — and, in my opinion, the best way — is by listening to other fathers tell their stories about what the experience meant for them. When I First Held You is an amazing resource for dads looking for those kinds of stories. Editor Brian Gresko has assembled 22 personal narratives from a selection of hugely talented writers — including Dennis Lehane, Lev Grossman, Andre Dubus III, Rick Moody, and more — who all do a beautiful job of bringing that emotional reality of becoming a dad to life.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$24.00Buy from Other Retailers:
-
8
Add to Bookshelf
Star Wars I Am Your Father
by Dan Zehr and Amy Richau
Calling all Star Wars dads and dads-to-be! This book is your hilarious geeky guide to fatherhood, told through lessons learned from Darth Vader and other pop culture fathers and father figures. Real-life dads and mentors will get their fill of laughs and practical advice in this one-of-a-kind parenting book.
Add to BookshelfHardcover
$12.99Buy from Other Retailers:
-
9
Add to Bookshelf
Geek Dad
by Ken Denmead
Tap into your imagination and make something unique with this bestselling parenting book. In it, Ken Denmead provides digital age-dads with techy crafts, projects, and science experiments they’ll love working on with their kids. It’s also worth exploring the other titles in this series, The Geek Dad: Book for Aspiring Mad Scientists and The Geek Dad’s Guide to Weekend Fun.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
-
10
Add to Bookshelf
What Do You Say?
by William Stixrud, PhD and Ned Johnson
Modern teens deal with many unique challenges, including social media, school stress, and friendship drama. Parents often struggle to comfort their children and offer support. The authors of The Self-Driven Child provide tools for parents wanting to communicate effectively, offer constructive feedback, give guidance, and establish boundaries. It’s a must-read for parents of digital-age teens.
Add to BookshelfPaperback
$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
