{"id":9293,"date":"2022-12-06T05:00:46","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T10:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/?p=9293"},"modified":"2025-02-03T15:25:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T20:25:59","slug":"unique-parenting-books-for-dads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.readbrightly.com\/unique-parenting-books-for-dads\/","title":{"rendered":"Adventures in Fatherhood: 11 Unique Parenting Books for Dads"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is more to the world of parenting books than just What to Expect When You\u2019re Expecting<\/em>.<\/p>\n

While those kinds of reference books can be invaluable to those expecting their first baby \u2014 and also pants-wettingly terrifying \u2014 they only address certain aspects of what it really means to be a parent.<\/p>\n

Also, speaking from my own personal experience, most parenting books tend to be focused solely on the mother, which \u2026 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\u2019t involve words like \u201cgestation\u201d or \u201cmucus plug,\u201d so, yes, moms win the \u201cwho had it harder\u201d debate hands-down.<\/p>\n

That said, it doesn\u2019t mean things are easy for dads, so, because parenting books can be such a lifeline to nervous new parents, I think it\u2019s wonderful when there are books out there for men that really speak to the \u201cdad experience\u201d specifically.<\/p>\n

I thought I\u2019d 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 \u2014 or at least some commiseration \u2014 in these pages.<\/p>\n

no no 9780143110262 Diaper Dude<\/i> by Chris Pegula with Frank Meyer <\/p>\n

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<\/a> brand, which makes dad-friendly baby products \u2014 speaking from experience, it\u2019s SO nice to be able to buy a diaper bag now that doesn\u2019t look like a big purse \u2014 and his message of how to become a father without losing one\u2019s self-identity will speak to anxious soon-to-be dads everywhere.<\/p>\n

9780143131373 Sleepless Nights and Kisses for Breakfast<\/i> by Matteo Bussola <\/p>\n

This book is just lovely. Bussola is an Italian illustrator and his book collects a series of brief, interconnected thoughts about fatherhood, all inspired by his experiences with his three daughters. His remembrances are funny, perceptive, and incredibly insightful. If a man wants to have an idea, a real idea of what it will feel like to become a father, Sleepless Nights<\/i> will do the trick \u2014 Bussola\u2019s voice reads like a candid best friend who takes you out for a drink and tells you, \u201cOkay, this is what fatherhood is really like\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

9780593194416 A Dude\u2019s Guide to Baby Size <\/i> by Taylor Campus <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

9780143135647 The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad<\/i> by Shannon Carpenter <\/p>\n

Shannon Carpenter pens a helpful guide to the wild world of becoming a stay-at-home dad \u2014 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

9780593436011 New Dad, Same Bad Jokes<\/i> by Slade Wentworth <\/p>\n

Every parent knows how challenging a baby\u2019s 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\u2019s life. Besides blowing raspberries on your baby\u2019s belly, this book will be the best part of your day.<\/p>\n

9780593129661 Outdoor Kids in an Inside World<\/i> by Steven Rinella <\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to reduce screen time and increase your child\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

9780767922494 Be the Coolest Dad on the Block<\/i> by Simon Rose and Steve Caplin <\/p>\n

People have certain expectations of dads. If you\u2019re 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 \u201cdad joke.\u201d You also need to be able to hold yourself up as an authority on every topic known to man and, if you don\u2019t 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 \u2014 Be the Coolest Dad on the Block<\/i> offers an irreverent, engaging guide to how dads can reach their ultimate dad-ness and become the most fun father in their neighborhood.<\/p>\n

9780425269244 When I First Held You<\/i> edited by Brian Gresko <\/p>\n

Trying to prepare yourself to become a father is a difficult experience. You can buy all the stuff and read all of the \u201chow to\u201d guides, but the emotional aspect of fatherhood \u2026 how do you prepare for that? One way \u2014 and, in my opinion, the best way \u2014 is by listening to other fathers tell their stories about what the experience meant for them. When I First Held You<\/i> 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 \u2014 including Dennis Lehane, Lev Grossman, Andre Dubus III, Rick Moody, and more \u2014 who all do a beautiful job of bringing that emotional reality of becoming a dad to life.<\/p>\n

9780744055207 Star Wars I Am Your Father<\/i> by Dan Zehr <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

9781592405527 Geek Dad<\/i> by Ken Denmead <\/p>\n

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\u2019ll love working on with their kids. It\u2019s also worth exploring the other titles in this series, The Geek Dad: Book for Aspiring Mad Scientists<\/a><\/i> and The Geek Dad\u2019s Guide to Weekend Fun<\/a><\/i>.<\/p>\n

9781984880383 What Do You Say?<\/i> by William Stixrud, PhD and Ned Johnson <\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/i> provide tools for parents wanting to communicate effectively, offer constructive feedback, give guidance, and establish boundaries. It\u2019s a must-read for parents of digital-age teens.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2022.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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