Congratulations, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: What's Ahead from A to Z for First-Time Fathers

by Pam Pettit

Most dads look forward to d-day (delivery day) with a strange mix of excitement and dread. And it's no surprise since the birth of his first child is probably among the most nerve-stretching events a man will ever experience. While dads-to-be are plagued by thousands of questions about entering the baby-fray, guys aren't likely to sit down with their fathers and friends to engage in "baby-talk." So where does a dad find a reliable source of information and preserve his "he-man" image? This is the resource you're looking for. Set up in an easy-to-use A-to-Z format, this book is written by a veteran dad and his wife, a nurse who presents the medical insights afforded by her training, on matters that sometimes confuse men. Also included are features by several "seasoned dads"—such as Dr. James Dobson and Chuck Swindoll—who have experience in the trenches of fatherhood and now pass what they've learned along to readers.

Genres: Parenting

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2002

Reviews

[Mike]

Not a really great read or anything. This was the second "fatherhood" book I was given. So I read it out of obligation. And I am not sure I gleamed anything important from it. It's essentially just an A-Z of words associated with pregnancy and being a parent. No real depth or information. Also, the dozen or so essays by Christians authors that appear between letters are mostly from people you've never heard of. Not that only famous Christians have valuable words, but the cover leads the reader to believe it's full of such writing.

Oh well, easy quick read.

[Judah Cofer]

This book just misses the mark. It's filled with advice that falls short of the Gospel grandeur and call to husbands and wives during such a wonderful time of life - having their first child. Rather, much of what is offered aligns itself with giving into worldly and fleshly expectations and habits. Though at times it offers some good practical advice, it isn't really founded in Biblical truth and therefore this isn't what a future dads or moms needs to hear.

[Lee]

Quite an interesting book. I was under the impression it was more of a 'biblical' book, but it is more of a 'practical' guide to first time fathers. A few good pointers and things I didn't know (you wouldn't without being a father) so fairly helpful. I would still recommend a read, but just know this is literally an A to Z guide, like a dictionary.