DADspirations: The 1st 100 Days of Fatherhood. Tips for Parenting Every New Dad and Dad-to-Be Should Know.

by Pete Densmore

DADspirations: The 1st 100 Days of Fatherhood. Tips for Parenting Every New Dad and Dad-to-Be Should Know.

News/Awards
—PEOPLE named it one of the hottest baby products on the market —PEOPLE selected it in their 2013 Father's Day Gift Guide
—Selected as a Finalist in the Parenting & Family category in the 2013 National Indie Excellence Awards
—Telly Award winner for the DADspirations Book Trailer

A dad-to-be book that helps dads answer the tough questions
—Do you know why the first months of parenthood are critical for a Dad-to-be or new father?
—Do you want to be a new dad who is dependable, but still fun?
—Are you a father to be who is anxious for, or unsure about, the arrival of your newborn?

This dad-to-be book will help you:
—Understand how having a plan can help you deal with the unknown
—Develop a strategy that will make your first 100 days as positively impactful as possible
—Recognize how effective of a dad you’re likely to be after your first 100 days as a new father

This father to be book includes an actionable checklist of ideas to help dads become the best father they can be at the most important time. Illustrated with photographs, this book for new dads showcases 35 ideas to help dads quickly succeed in fatherhood. Some of these ideas, referred to as DADspirations, include:
—Develop a baby birth time capsule, which captures all of the precious moments from a day a parent is likely to forget.
—Send a wife to the spa, which secures for dad an afternoon of introducing the art of football to the baby.
—Build a toy box, which gives a dad the excuse to spend an entire day alone in the garage with power tools & beer.
—Organize a GNO for a wife, which allows a dad an evening of personal snuggling with his newborn.

This dad-to-be book also address common issues and challenges that a dad encounters while also ensures they can be effective at the most critical time of being a dad, including:

—How to always remember your first few days with baby
—How to bond quickly with your baby
—How to avoid the baby blues
—How to capture precious moments and baby’s firsts
—How to shower your love towards mom and baby
—How to keep the romance with mom fresh and lively
—How to easily stay (or become) fit without leaving the house
—How to plan for your baby’s future security
—How to keep your wife smiling and baby engaged

A gift idea for the dad-to-be!

Humorist & Author, Pete Densmore: "It’s exciting for DADspirations: The 1st 100 Days of Fatherhood to be honored with an award and listed as one of the hottest baby products,” said Densmore. "It’s rewarding because this opens the door for more dads to read the book and inspire their own aspirations. This dad-to-be book provides a strategy that will give dads the important things to know and some fun, creative ideas they can for dad, mom and baby to make sure they become a Rock Star new dad, right out of the gates.”

For more information on Pete Densmore or DADspirations: The 1st 100 Days of Fatherhood. Tips for Parenting Every New Dad and Dad to Be Should Know, please visit these websites:
—Website: www.DADspirations.com
—Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/CtIUWO27C0M
—Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/DADspirations
—Pinterest Page: www.pinterest.com/DADspirations
—Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/DADspirations
—Ordering Pages:
o Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/061566363X
o Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008U0MSHU

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Self Help

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rook · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not saying the advice was bad - there are some useful tidbits here and there. But on top of the fact that the vast majority of the advice was pretty common knowledge and therefore not terribly useful, this was the most misogynistic book I've ever read. Granted, I don't read a lot of popular non-fiction, so maybe this kind of ridiculous, absurdly over-the-top gendering is the norm for this type of book, but it was just bizarre. Clearly the author loves both his son and his daughter, and wants to do right by both of them, but it's just as clear that he buys all the way into the ridiculous and outdated notion of the "pink vs. blue" lifestyle for bringing up your kids, which is especially damaging when we're talking about the period in a child's life when they are forming their first impressions about the world.

Not recommended.

[Staci Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mom, and expecting mom, I had a blast reading this book and can't wait to pass it along to my husband!

The book is written more as a conversation than a "how-to" book and has the perfect amount of humor tied in with the seriousness of savoring those first moments of fatherhood.

Great read and highly recommend to any Dad or Dad-to-be!

[Demelza Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd been able to buy a copy of a book like this one for my husband before our first child was born - the only books I could get my hands on were for women and had so much conflicting advice I wasn't game to hand them to my husband as they'd only confuse him further.

Yes, it's definitely written for blokes and I'm not the target audience, but the style is very much easy to read, so it doesn't make me feel like it's secret men's business, either.

There are American examples that went completely over my head - references to presidents, shops and such - that make it more tailored to an American market than an Australian one, but the points Densmore is trying to illustrate are still clear and relevant.

One issue I had with it is the author seems to treat the babies differently from the beginning, depending on whether it's a boy or a girl, out of some misplaced fear that dancing; colours like pink, brown and green; or stuffed pigs are capable of "permanently damaging your son for life." Different songs, different books, different gifts...I don't agree with starting stereotypes that early - and it might be different in the US to Australia, but I don't see any issue with some of the things the author states you shouldn't do. For example, he says to teach your daughter to dance but not your son - he should learn to swim instead. I think all blokes should be capable of some basic dance skills - and all girls should be capable of NOT drowning. Anything else is pretty old-fashioned.

Still, if you overlook the occasional, borderline homophobic references, it's a light parenting book with some good hints for fathers.

[Jennifer Toliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! This book should be required reading for all new dads. And those who aren't "new"...there's always room for improvement, right? A comical outlook on the first 100 days of fatherhood, with enough sentimental touch that moms will enjoy reading also. A light-hearted, quick read that would be a perfect gift for the father-to-be.

I'm so thankful to have received this book as a goodreads first-reads giveaway...but I'm passing it along to a friend (a new dad!).

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Parenting Book

The book DADspirations: The 1st 100 Days of Fatherhood, Tips for Parenting Every New Dad and Dad-to-Be Should Know, by Pete Densmore, is geared toward new or expectant fathers. Although I am not a dad, I am a mom, and I think new or expectant mothers can also find helpful hints in the book.

Mr. Densmore takes a light, conversational approach to the reader, as if he and you are sitting at a coffee shop, chatting about the wonders and pitfalls of fatherhood. He likens the first hundred days of parenting to the first hundred days of presidency, with the milestone to check involvement and effectiveness as a father.

I had to laugh when I read this:

“Now is the time to enjoy observing everything that is happening with her. You’ve seen the movie Gorillas in the Mist, haven’t you? It’s gonna be a lot like that. I even bought a fog machine. And I’ll be damned if any poachers are gonna get to MY baby!”

Pictures of Mr. Densmore’s children, family, and friends are included in the book. The photos not only help make his important points, but are also heartwarming.

Toward the end of the hundred days, Mr. Densmore has a stroke of genius. He arranges a Grandparents Day. Not only does it bring the grandparents and children closer, but it also allows the dad and mom some “one-on-one” time.

Does this “one-on-one” time set the stage for a sequel? (Wink, wink; nudge, nudge.)

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"DADspirations: The 1st 100 Days of Fatherhood. Tips for Parenting Every New Dad and Dad-to-Be Should Know" by Pete Densmore fills a gap in the market of parenting books.
We all know about disrupted sleeping patterns, read breast feeding manuals and other technical guides on how to be a good parent.
Densmore has written something much more personal and intimate: The book is a journal about his own experiences and a legacy for himself and his family. He shares his anecdotes and memories and also makes suggestions way beyond the actual raising of the child. He raises important points as for example how to keep the relationship between the parents going, what to do to make sure you cherish every single moment of the experience and how to prioritise the work load. Parenting is an exciting and overwhelming task and DADspirations tries to bring the big picture in to the moment and remind the new DAD that much of the noise around will pass soon, so make the most of the opportunities you have and make your early fatherhood count.
Inspirational indeed.

[R.J. Heald · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author himself mentions in the introduction to his book, if world leaders need guides to help them plan and prioritise their first 100 days in office, then don't expectant fathers also need a guide? Afterall, the first hundred days are all about bonding with the new baby, and doing so whist sleep deprived and emotionally drained.
Dadspirations is full of handy hints and tips for the new father. It provides a clear action plan so the father will not only enjoy the first 100 days, but will also have memories to share with his son/daughter when they are older.
Not only that, this book doesn't take itself too seriously, like some of the other guides out there. If you want a book that will make you laugh out loud, and provide you with some practical tips, this book is for you. I would recommend it to any expectant father.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Good Reads Giveaway and I am glad I did. I don't have any kids at the moment but I plan on having them someday and will be sure to have my husband read this book when that day comes. It was authentic, quirky and inspiring with creative ideas strewn throughout the book and tips on how to survive the first 100 days of being a parent.

I know this book is geared towards dads, but there's enough generality to the tips to be able to apply the "Dadspirations" to moms. Most tips are either gender neutral or he offers ways to apply to both boys and girls.

Overall this is a fast read. I've passed it on to my brother-in-law who should be becoming a dad sometime this week! I'd recommend it for any new dad looking for tips on how to survive fatherhood.

[Sonya Dodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a mother to two boys I was intrigued to read this book to find out what a dad thought was necessary for those early days. I was impressed.

This book is written in an easy to follow, relaxed style and is not condescending. The sections are clearly marked and written in bite-size chunks; after all, who gets chance to read novels when they've just had a baby?

There were plenty of great ideas in the book, both common and new. It works really well as an easy step-by-step guide for any father, or mother, during those first 100 days.

[Josee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for Goodreads and to the author for providing me a free copy of this wonderful book.
I read this book along wit one of my good male friend who is expecting a baby girl... This book is fun and realistic and makes a futur dad "as ready as can be" to take upon this terrific challenge. I ended up giving him the copy of he book, he can always learn something new.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. I got this primarily for my husband, since we plan on having a kid soon. This book would be cute as a gift for a new father. I wouldn't say any of the advice is unexpected or essential. The book really just seems like his personal reflections on fatherhood. Cute, but not what I expected.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through the GOODREADS GIVEAWAYS and it was a win that I a m glad I won. I did read this book but I mostly won it for my husband. I want to give it to him when we start our family. I know he',l enjoy it as much as me. Great book!

[Vojtech · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not saying there aren't any fun or useful tips, but overall I thought this was a really boring book.

[Ilias · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was ok and had some good ideas, but I couldn't like it. Maybe it wasn't for me. It felt a little bit too much for the first 100 days, especially after the first 12 weeks.

[Kelly Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Dadspirations, not because I’m a dad. Actually I’m a mom, but we are expecting again and I was hoping to pick up some new ideas for my husband since I do most of the reading in the house. There were some cute ideas, but most of the stuff I have either heard of before or already do myself. One idea that I did like was when the baby was born to take a picture of the baby with every guest. I have videotaped guests and asked them to give the child a piece of advice, but this takes it to a new level and something I will probably do.

There were a couple of things that kind of bothered me about this book. First, there were some typos, but nothing major and nothing to detract from the story. The second was the author’s use of Wifey to call his wife. I don’t know why, but this bugged me.

I did like seeing a different household’s perspective on things, especially as a dad’s because I relate to mom’s more, so it was interesting to see how the dad’s are doing it elsewhere. I can tell the author cares an awful lot about his family and I found that endearing and I’m willing to bet he is a fantastic father. I’m also going to just say that if dads did even half of the advice in this book, they would be doing way more than most of the dads I know. There were also some nuggets of humor that I appreciated. There is a part about giving a pearl to your son (after he had talked about his daughter) and the first caption reads “Abort, abort, abort” followed by “No respecting father would give his son pearls to make a necklace.” I actually laughed out loud. Maybe a bit sexist, but definitely funny.

There was a section I particularly liked that was about choosing a book that you actually like for your daughter and what it says about you. The categories were: Classic, Comedy, Adventure, Drama, Tragedy, Mystery, and once again a bit of humor with category of Romance as the author says if this is your go to book to let her learn about you as a dad it will convey the message of “she will likely end up questioning your manhood.”

Overall this would be a good read for a new parent or a very ambitious parent. I also think this is definitely geared towards men. There were some parts of this book that made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough for my kids. Mostly we just try to survive the day and enjoy each other, but I do find most things on parenting useful and that’s no exception with this book. Pick this one up for Christmas if you have a new dad on your list.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 1/2

Summary:
The joys and tribulations of early parenthood are usually awaited with eager anticipation and trepidation. While there are many books dealing with the technical aspects of raising a child, here is a quick read that introduces three “R”s for emotional bonding with your new child. The author’s personal anecdotes and photos complement the casual and humorous writing. The chapters are short enough to be read during TV commercial time, alone time on the porcelain throne, or in the five minutes between crawling into bed and passing out. Though, intended especially for the father-to-be, the heartfelt suggestions for making every moment count are suitable for any parent—whether new, experienced, single or grand.

This book is quickly becoming well recognized in the parenting community. It is an Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist in the Parenting & Family category. It also won ebook awards, and was a USA Best Book Awards Finalist.

Why I picked it up: This was a GoodReads giveaway prize. I selected it because my husband and I are expecting our first child and I thought this would be a manly alternative to the typical “What to Expect” books geared toward women.

Why I finished it: It was a quick read.

Who I would give it to: First time dads, unfortunately, I don’t know any at this time.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an impossibly adorable book and collection of ideas for new dads that simply melts your heart. Men with babies is already cute enough to make anyone smile, and then give them a little direction and the results are seriously worthy of a dedicated Instagram #toocute2belegal. If you are looking for a gift for a new dad-to-be, this is it. I have already re-gifted my copy to an expecting friend and I know that anyone who gets this book really will love and appreciate it. I see this being one of those books that continues to get passed down within friend circles and families.

[Djsan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my kind of book. I have a baby boy didn't really learn anything new or useful.

[Peter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible - only saving grace is how brief it was.

[D.L. Gardner]

This is a really good book. All dads should read it! (moms too).