So You're Going to Be a Dad

by Peter Downey

For the first-time dad, useful and practical information about pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care, including: what to say -- and what not to say--when you hear the news; taking care of moms-to-be; what childbirth feels like; crying, diapers, and bathtime; and baby-proofing the home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Self Help

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

eter Downey is on executive staff at a Christian school in Sydney, Australia. The author of three marriage and parenting books, including So You're Going to be a Dad, he was listed in The Bulletin magazine as one of Australia's Top Ten parenting authors. He is also author of Everything You Want to Know about the Bible (co-authored with Ben Shaw), a book about Jesus for the Bible Society, and has written for a range of journals and publications. Although he has a Bachelor, Masters, and Doctoral degrees in Arts and Education and a diploma in Biblical Studies, he feels like a guy writing a book about automotive engineering when all he’s done is worked part-time in a carwash. He and his wife have three daughters.

Reviews

[B Schrodinger]

So I am going to be a dad.

When I first found this out I turned towards my ever present helper friends - books. There were many books on becoming a parent and a few of those about becoming a dad. A lot of them had cartoons on the cover. I really don't think I want to find out about the hardest job of my life from a book with cartoons on its cover. I flipped through a few of them and stereotypes smacked me in the face. So, I gave up on dad books pretty early. But I did find one or two parenting books that did a brilliant job.

How did I end up reading this book? Well, friends like to help and a father passed this along to me in the most friendly way. And, of course, I was polite and accepted the loan. I dreaded opening it up. There was no cartoon on the front, but still, it had me worried.

I read it in two hits after a week or so. And you can see my two-star rating. It was OK. It wasn't as bad as what I thought it would be. But there were many cartoons in it and it was 70% full of stereotypes. There is some handy information here, I'd hazard to say more than other dad books. But I have been researching, both other books and online. There was nothing here that a few hours on various and reputable website will inform you of.

But this book does have an audience. It's for those fathers who want one book to read and want a book that's easy to read and like a buddy telling you all these tips. It's very anecdotal. I'm very academic. It wasn't a good fit for me. It is great that it is an Australian author for an Australian market, so a lot of the medical references actually mean something. And the author is a genuinely nice person, but a little old-fashioned. He's all for being a modern hands-on dad, up-to-date with the late 90s early 2000s. There's a smattering of decent advice on dealing with social media, but other than that it feels at least 10-15 years old.

Now with all those criticisms, I seem mean. Decent book, wrong audience.

[Terry Kim]

Great book for expecting dads, especially those who have no clue what it means to be a parent. I listened to the audiobook and found the book quite entertaining as well as educational. I really enjoyed the author's humour, which was balanced with seriousness where needed. It felt like having one of your experienced father friends telling you everything you need to know about what to expect as a new father. But it goes further to detail what it means to be a good father for life.

Highly recommended for those expecting or trying.

[Matthew Coiner]

This was a fantastically funny look at what happens during pregnancy and birth. I laughed so many times as I read through it and I still laugh as I catch myself doing things he talked about a new dad doing. From beginning to end (even the glossary at the end) I found myself laughing. This is a must read for any soon to be dad!

[Fabricio]

I got this book as a gift which caused some expectation from the title. I've tried to lower those when I first read other reviews, but it didn't help much.

Summing up is a book written by a father, trying to share the things that he went through and experienced. He's very clear about his lack of a more wide experience since he is limited to his three daughters. This could be even nice, but in the end, makes the book too shallow since it's intention is to "prepare" you for what is coming ahead.

It opens more questions than solves them. Which made me want to look for other -- more reliable and complete -- sources about many of the subjects.

PS: The dad jokes get tiresome after a dozen pages.

[Karl Beeton]

I am happy just to leave the 5 stars. Amazon are asking for 20 words or more to review as well as the star rating . Amazon are forcing me to review, I gave 5 stars the book is great

Amazon are forcing me to write a review, I gave 5 stars the book is great . Why do I need to provide 20 or more words Amazon?

[Tracy]

Very good book about becoming a dad. It is written in a down-to-earth style that is not daunting to read. I learned a lot from it, especially that I'm not the only one to be terrified to become a dad. I would recommend it to anyone that is expecting children.

[Rohan Stewart]

Felt I had to read this when my wife was pregnant the first time. Glad I did as it was very useful-especially when explaining women's pregnancy mood swings, which by he way, get more frightening as the weeks roll on. Dads- well worth the read.

[Andre Piucci]

# Então eu ia ser papai! #

[Peter]

This book is great. It’s a bit irritating when everyone keeps saying “don’t worry, you’ll pick it up naturally”. So it’s nice to get some practical tips. Also got my head in the right place. Pretty funny too.

[Daunavan Buyer]

It’s funny, insightful, and overall a really good primer. While nothing can really prepare you for becoming a dad, this sure helps!

[Karthik]

Funny but not heavily factual. It wasn’t dry so it was a quick read

[Matt Sawatzky]

Funny and Informative!

[Daniel B]

Very light. A false sense of how it would be.....

[joaovilnei]

Muito melhor que a capa dá a entender

[François Le Grand]

Fantastic book for expecting fathers. Full of practical information about newborns, women's health and what to expect during the first few months. Helps that it's a light-hearted read!

[Josh Wilks]

Really not that great

[William Dillon]

Some great tips in here. Can get a bit lame with the jokes

[Daniel]

Ensina muitas coisas sobre a paternidade de maneira divertida.

[Lucas Machado]

Eu adorei o livro.
Leitura leve, onde o escritor/pai conta boas histórias sobre a paternidade dele e sobre como “preparar” para ser pai.

Uma boa leitura para quem vai ser pai num futuro próximo tanto pelos “ensinamentos” quanto pelas risadas.

[Michael Green]

Overall it's a decent book which achieves what it sets out to do - prepare a dad to be for the challenge ahead with a 'bloke to bloke' kind of style.

In one way the humour makes it an easy, light and approachable read. However it wasn't long before I realised the attempts at humour (often cringeworthy, occasionally clever) are laid on so thick it just ends up getting in the way of the substance of the book. I mean I love a good tacky dad joke but even this was too much for me, I found myself predicting when it was a rambling attempt at humour and skipping ahead. That aside I still persevered and got a lot from it (but you have been warned).

Overall a recommended read for any expected dad's out there.

[Warwick]

Probably the only book a man needs to read regarding the change or life that is facing them.

Realistic and down to earth perspective on all situations that are to be faced, from pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy and when the real fun begins birth and taking care of the baby.

It's a book I feel i'll re-read sections of it again in maybe a year or two

[Andy Downe]

I don't know if 3 stars is a bit harsh? I've never rated a self help\educational book before. I did learn some things but I guess after finishing this I'm still in no much more confident a position than I was before.

Still worth a read for soon to be first time fathers, as I said I did learn some things and the more we can learn the better.

[David Owen]

Not because it was bad. I just can't be bothered reading a book about being a dad... Now that I'm a dad. What I read I enjoyed and may return to it later but right now sleep is more pressing than whimsical observations about parenthood.

[Matt]

This was a pretty entertaining read, all new Dads can identify with it. Its fairly satirical but also has some really good relevant information! Some parts dragged on a bit and I felt myself skimming a few pages but all in all a good read!

[Jd]

One of the best books I have read in a long time the author is funny and the book reads like conversation (i like that).

[Alan]

Simple, lighthearted and easy to understand. I got some good laughs!

[Aaron]

This was a good first book to read for a soon-to-be dad. Funny, insightful and not overly complicated.

[Elizabeth]

My husband actually read this one which is saying a lot as he's not big on the self-help genre. Helpful and funny for both of us.

[Mark]

A good no-nonsense book for expecting dads. Pretty funny with some reassuring commentary: everything is going to be fine.

[James Raynes]

A basic, but very amusing primer for prospective fathers. Well worth a read.