Home > Consumer Reviews > Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

It has humor and really great information. If your Guy won't read any other book, at the very least get him this one. I have bought it for 3 of my buddies, and they have all loved it.

Cheers,
Computer Dude.

Or at least laugh while you're losing it, this is the book for you. My wife had picked me up several parenting books, and they all had a tone that dad was an ignoramus that needed serious help. All were pretty dry to boot. I picked up this book while we were shopping for baby furniture. Thank goodness I did, because my wife had to be induced, and our daughter came a month early. I was terrified, but this book helped me get through. It has some great common sense suggestions, and manages to make you laugh through it (no small feat when you haven't slept in 3 days). I liked it so much that I went out and bought copies for 3 other guys I know who are either new or expectant dads. Much like the Boy Scout manual for scouts, this book should be at dad's side at all times. The only, minor, complaint I have is the topics tend to skip around a bit. Not bad, and it probably helps keep it light, as you don't get 15 pages on diapers all at once.

I'm a new mother, fully equipped with the requisite stack of new-mother books. And you know what? I've gotten more useful information out of this one book of my husband's than any of those. In between the duct-tape diapers and taking the baby to happy hour, there's a lot of good common sense here.

Plus, unlike the "humorous" books targeted toward women, this one is actually funny.

Have you ever seen the shocked look on the face of a new father? Seen him struggle to manage the new tasks facing him? Run out and buy Be Prepared as soon as you can. I have given this book to 3 new fathers this week and they have been delighted to receive a book written JUST FOR THEM! I have even witnessed a wife trying to wrestle the book from her husband. Be Prepared is both informative and funny. A great read for both new and 'old' dads. The learning never stops!

This book is a great starting place if you are like me and are a first time Dad with absolutely zero experience dealing with babies. It presents really useful information and tidbits in an entertaining format for guys. The illustrations are quite amusing as well. Who knew that Bob Marley's 'Buffalo Solider' has a perfectly soothing rhythym that matches the baby's heartbeat and helps them relax? It is also contains tidbits on how to leverage your bundle of joy psychologically on others - catching relief at work etc. Things that guys need to know that they would never learn from your typical baby books. I particularly like the bit on how to powernap to minimize fatigue.

If you are a guy and are clueless, take a crack at this book. If nothing else, you will be amused and I am willing to bet you will pick up ideas (and retain them) much faster than you would reading a library of your run-of-the mill baby books. I'm passing it on to my buds when they get their first crack at being dads.