What do you think?
Rate this book
Boys Will Be Joys
Product Description
Parenting is not for wimps. When it comes down to it, sometimes parents just have to wing it, says Dave Meurer, father of two rambunctious boys. In this delightful read, Meurer waxes humorously on the miraculous feat of raising boys and staying sane at the same time.
From the Back Cover
Parenting is not for wimps.
In fact, it's a miracle that anyone can raise a kid and stay sane at the same time. And every parent knows that sometimes you just have to wing it.
Dave Meurer says he's no parenting professional. But he is the father of two rambunctious boys. In this delightful read, you'll find helpful tips, hilarious observations, and profound reflections on bringing up boys--not to mention accounts of inane outbursts, incredulous questions, and stunned exclamations.
With unique insight and loads of fun, Meurer shares those things that drive parents crazy--and the things that make the adventure well worth the ride.
Dave Meurer is the father of two sons and the author of several books, including The Hair-Raising Joys of Raising Boys. He lives in northern California.
Parenting is not for wimps. When it comes down to it, sometimes parents just have to wing it, says Dave Meurer, father of two rambunctious boys. In this delightful read, Meurer waxes humorously on the miraculous feat of raising boys and staying sane at the same time.
From the Back Cover
Parenting is not for wimps.
In fact, it's a miracle that anyone can raise a kid and stay sane at the same time. And every parent knows that sometimes you just have to wing it.
Dave Meurer says he's no parenting professional. But he is the father of two rambunctious boys. In this delightful read, you'll find helpful tips, hilarious observations, and profound reflections on bringing up boys--not to mention accounts of inane outbursts, incredulous questions, and stunned exclamations.
With unique insight and loads of fun, Meurer shares those things that drive parents crazy--and the things that make the adventure well worth the ride.
Dave Meurer is the father of two sons and the author of several books, including The Hair-Raising Joys of Raising Boys. He lives in northern California.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 10, 2018
Child development professionals categorize children into two main groups:
(A) Naturally compliant, obedient, well mannered children
(B) Yours
Pretty cute little book from the dad of boys. It's meant to be an easy read of simple advice about raising boys (which I had). Mostly it's sweet and humorous anecdotes.
The sections about the babies waking up when the parents' physical relationship was heating up could have been left out in my opinion. I don't need to read that about passion difficulties between people I know. (This was an elder at our church in California)...but other than that it was all good.
Dave has a creative way with his thoughts that made me laugh out loud a number of times.
Quick, fun read.
(A) Naturally compliant, obedient, well mannered children
(B) Yours
Pretty cute little book from the dad of boys. It's meant to be an easy read of simple advice about raising boys (which I had). Mostly it's sweet and humorous anecdotes.
The sections about the babies waking up when the parents' physical relationship was heating up could have been left out in my opinion. I don't need to read that about passion difficulties between people I know. (This was an elder at our church in California)...but other than that it was all good.
Dave has a creative way with his thoughts that made me laugh out loud a number of times.
Quick, fun read.
November 18, 2014
This more like memoir than a parenting advice book which to me is part of its appeal. You can enjoy even if you are not a parent. While it may not give new advice it does talk about common parenting experiences with great humor.
January 11, 2019
This was a joy to read.
This may not be the best parenting book you’ll ever read.
It may not even be the most useful parenting book you’ll read.
But starting with the cover it had me intrigued. By the end of chapter one I was hooked.
Great, relatable and extremely entertaining story telling makes this book a great reminder of what parenting is all about and a great support for those days when you start thinking you’re the worst parent in the world.
The profound thoughts will stick with you too.
This may not be the best parenting book you’ll ever read.
It may not even be the most useful parenting book you’ll read.
But starting with the cover it had me intrigued. By the end of chapter one I was hooked.
Great, relatable and extremely entertaining story telling makes this book a great reminder of what parenting is all about and a great support for those days when you start thinking you’re the worst parent in the world.
The profound thoughts will stick with you too.
May 19, 2012
Seeing as this is a book from a Christian publisher, I probably should've expected this to happen. But with it being free to download, and myself being a still relatively new father of an extremely active 2-year old, I figured what the hell, maybe I'd enjoy it.
Instead, after just 30 pages, this book just ticked me off, and it earned the distinction of being just the second book that I've given up on.
First, the writing style is reminiscent of Dave Barry, which in and of itself is not a problem, as I enjoy Barry's column writing. The problem is that, in forcing in Biblical references or analogies, Meurer comes off as some bizarre hybrid of Barry and Ned Flanders.
The limitations of an author in a Christian publishing firm are immediately evident. He censors references to anatomical features with attempts at humor. There are footnotes from "the editor" that are efforts to keep Meurer honest. And the Biblical references seem out-of-place. Am I going to experience the ups-and-downs of a trampoline with my son? Most likely. Am I going to lay on that trampoline with him, staring up at the night skies, discussing the Creation story from Genesis? No, I'm not. Not because its not a good story, because it is. Instead, I'd probably talk about what stars are. But that's just me.
What really pushed me to stop reading, though, is the start of Chapter 5, discussing professional wrestling. It read like a sermon, complete with vague references to "said obscene gestures" and misusing John 3:16. Clearly, he is not a Stone Cold fan. Which, again, is fine. What ISN'T fine is, after describing his horror at gestures and women dressed in outfits that "qualified as pornography" (Can an outfit, really, qualify as pornography?), he writes:
Number one, having watched and enjoyed wrestling the majority of my child, teenage, and adult life, I can tell you that they NEVER interview random people in the audience. Ever. Never ever EVER never. So here I call malarky. Funny that his "editor" didn't do a footnote there clarifying things and keeping the author honest. Number two, if he snapped off the television, how does he know this interview happened???. Number three, from a page or two later...
Instead, after just 30 pages, this book just ticked me off, and it earned the distinction of being just the second book that I've given up on.
First, the writing style is reminiscent of Dave Barry, which in and of itself is not a problem, as I enjoy Barry's column writing. The problem is that, in forcing in Biblical references or analogies, Meurer comes off as some bizarre hybrid of Barry and Ned Flanders.
The limitations of an author in a Christian publishing firm are immediately evident. He censors references to anatomical features with attempts at humor. There are footnotes from "the editor" that are efforts to keep Meurer honest. And the Biblical references seem out-of-place. Am I going to experience the ups-and-downs of a trampoline with my son? Most likely. Am I going to lay on that trampoline with him, staring up at the night skies, discussing the Creation story from Genesis? No, I'm not. Not because its not a good story, because it is. Instead, I'd probably talk about what stars are. But that's just me.
What really pushed me to stop reading, though, is the start of Chapter 5, discussing professional wrestling. It read like a sermon, complete with vague references to "said obscene gestures" and misusing John 3:16. Clearly, he is not a Stone Cold fan. Which, again, is fine. What ISN'T fine is, after describing his horror at gestures and women dressed in outfits that "qualified as pornography" (Can an outfit, really, qualify as pornography?), he writes:
There was a three-or four-year-old boy in the audience wearing a big foam obscene gesture. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I looked closer, and the camera zoomed in on the lettering printed on the palm of the foam hand: "Austin 3:16."
I snapped the TV off and canceled cable service....
They interviewed the father who was holding the little boy.
"What does he think of it?" the announcer laughed.
"Oh, he really loves it," replied the dad.
Number one, having watched and enjoyed wrestling the majority of my child, teenage, and adult life, I can tell you that they NEVER interview random people in the audience. Ever. Never ever EVER never. So here I call malarky. Funny that his "editor" didn't do a footnote there clarifying things and keeping the author honest. Number two, if he snapped off the television, how does he know this interview happened???. Number three, from a page or two later...
Jesus had some scary things to say about the fater of people who lead children astray. "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6).... If you don't plan on being a good role model, don't have kids.
Awesome advice. Guy that you don't know takes his kid to a wrestling match. So, he should probably go kill himself. Wondrous.
At that point, I exited from the book, and committed myself to never reading another book from a Christian publisher...
June 13, 2015
This is not actually a parenting book, more a humorous memoir of one's parenting of two boys. It is published by the Christian publisher, Zondervan and although each chapter ends with scripture and there is mention of God, Jesus, etc., it is not overly Christian. I found myself chuckling to much of the book; had I not been in public while reading much of the book, I would have laughed aloud. It is a short easy read that I picked up for free several years ago. I hope Dave Meurer writes more books like this one.
July 3, 2012
This book was very funny, from about the second page, I was laughing out loud! There is some christianity within, but no pressure. It was the perfect amount of Bible-based references for me. It's the second book of his books about raising boys, so it touches more on the older ages of children, but still a really good read! It was also an easy read, too. I'm now reading the first of the two books he wrote.
April 20, 2012
This author is hilarious, particularly in the beginning of the book. This was a lighthearted and quick read, with a few great insights into parenting. Don't expect profound parenting advice - this is more anecdotes than anything. I simply enjoyed laughing along with the author at the parenting humor.
July 2, 2012
Dave Meurer reminds me somewhat of a male Erma Bombeck; he could also be compared to the humor of Dave Barry. This simply was not what I had expected. I thought it might provide some parenting hints for dealing with young boys, but it was more of a comic memoir of his life as a husband and father. Worth reading, but not great.
August 18, 2012
While a lot of the book is humorous and left me thinking I could relate, I do not feel that I took much away from it. His points lack depth and the scripture is very minimal. Easy, quick read for a laugh but don't expect and new parenting insights.
August 20, 2012
A very fun read, full of humor, story telling and wisdom. As the mother of a boy, I appreciated the humor of this dad's book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews