Daddy 3.0: A Comedy of Errors

by Rob Armstrong

A Kindle Unlimited Comedy.

Soccer moms, step aside for the new superparent on the block: Daddy 3.0. This new stay-at-home dad will give everyone a run for their money—plus a lot of laughs.

This isn’t where Nick Owen thought he would be by this point in life. He used to be a busy web programmer. Now he spends most of his energy trying to stop his three-year-old twins from playing in a dirty sand pit. Nick thinks of himself as Daddy 3.0, a stay-at-home-dad—but he just wasn’t programmed for this.

He must navigate a new world of jungle gyms and playdates while supporting his surgeon wife. He tries his best to be there for the twins, but he can’t stop making a mess of things. He’s just about nearing the end of his rope when the Swing Incident happens. The Swing Incident, spoken of in hushed tones around Nick’s New York City apartment building, has caused the resident queen bee, nicknamed “Supermom,” to declare him an enemy for life. No matter what Nick does to get back into Supermom’s good graces, he fails spectacularly.

Now Nick’s going to have to learn to fight fire with fire and become the best superparent on the block. This hilarious new book by Rob Armstrong chronicles one man’s journey into the world of modern fatherhood—one botched haircut, playground fight, and dirty diaper at a time.

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Parenting

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2016

About the author

Rob Armstrong mines comedy from his own life as a stay-at-home dad.

After graduating from the Wharton School of Business, he worked in communication finance, before taking an “early retirement” to look after his two daughters.

Armstrong lives with his wife and daughters in the Greater Philadelphia area. He has served as treasurer of the local PTA and as an elected member of the school board.

Reviews

[Licha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads giveaway.

I was excited to get this book thinking I was going to get a really funny book just like the title states: a comedy of errors. Sadly, there was a lot of the error and very little of the comedy. Nick is a stay at home dad who can't seem to get it together. Too many things go wrong that it reads as contrived and unfunny. And while I think the author sought to make the reader sympathize with poor wife Liz, I really couldn't stand her. The way she treats Nick, by making him feel like he's an incompetent dad and lousy housekeeper would not be acceptable if the tables were turned and Nick was the one berating Liz, so why is it supposed to be funny when Liz does it? Were we supposed to put an arm around Liz and tell her we understood her pain? That probably bothered me more than anything. The book succeeded a lot more when we finally see Nick began to interact more with the rest of the moms but sadly it came a little too late in the book for me to really get to like this. I had high hopes that this book would bring some much needed laughs after reading more serious fare.

[Phyllis Krall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will tug at your heart and keep you laughing at the same time. Reading about the life
of a stay at home Dad and his experiences with his twin daughters is truly unforgettable.
Nick Owen becomes a Daddy 3.0, full time, while his wife finishes her surgery fellowship. The family has moved to New York from SanFrancisco after Nick loses his job. Watching his three year old girls is a real challenge while his wife works, since the children are out of control. It is rather embarrassing when the whole family gets thrown out of a restaurant for the twins' misbehavior. Nick quickly becomes involved in the family association where he lives, inciting the other stay at home Moms with his antics.
I loved reading this book and quickly changed my opinion of Nick when he stepped up his parental responsibilities. His interactions with the other Moms had me laughing out loud. I especially loved his nicknames for all of them, particularly Supermom.
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended !

[Whit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this laugh-out-loud story about Nick Owen, an unemployed computer programmer, stuck raising his kids so his wife can pursue her dream to be a doctor. Nick feels overwhelmed and underappreciated until he realizes that he DOES have the most important job in the world. The problem:all the crazy; selfish and resentful stay-at-home-moms/neighbors that make him feel like a failure. Lots of twists and turns in this one. I received this book, free, in a Goodread's First Reads Giveaway. Thank you.

[Lara Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a well written book about a stay at home father and his relationships with other stay at home moms and as well as his twin daughters. Nick, a former programmer, recently moved to NYC with his wife Liz who is a medical fellow. Since Nick is without a job, he stays home with the kids and sometimes clueless when learning to child wrangle.

However I really didn't like his wife at all. With the exception of two really bad lapses of judgement, Nick is a good and attentive father. His wife gets angry at him for stupid things like not being able to cook, not doing a good enough job on the twins costume, and browbeating for being fat, then gets annoyed with him when he goes to the gym with a baby sitting service instead of watching the twins. (Especially since earlier in the book, Liz lectures him to get a job so they can hire a nanny).

Maybe I'm just bias, I think men staying home to raise kids makes them more of a man.

Overall it's an easy read and has some very hilarious moments between Nick and his arch nemesis Supermom.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clever premise and a few funny moments, but fell a little flat. Writing was just OK, and I was especially bothered by the kid dialogue. Tough thing to do right, but it makes a big difference. Reading this book, most stay at home parents - especially parents of twins - will empathize and see people they know in it.

This was a GoodReads Give Away.

[StitchnmommaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read that I think any parent can relate to, whether it be the mother or father. Some days can just be a struggle and definitely filled with errors. You just gotta laugh at some of them.

Thank you to both the author and publisher for a copy I won in a giveaway a long, long time ago and recently found tucked into a box from moving house.

[Geeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Daddy 3.0" is more than a comedy about a stay at home dad raising three year old twins. It is also a journey of self discovery. At first Nick Owen is a reluctant participant in the whole "stay at home Dad" gig he finds himself in when he loses his job and his family relocates across the country for his wife's surgical fellowship. He figures this is a temporary gig until he can find a job in their new home of NYC. He doesn't take it seriously and slacks off, not just as a father but also as a husband (though his wife does play an equal part in the distance between them). He stays up all night playing video games, doesn't discipline his unruly children and basically skates through child rearing. I thought it was funny in the beginning but after the first few chapters he started to annoy me. I didn't care for him and his slacker ways, or his kids, who seemed to misbehave all the time. Then a funny thing happened, and this is the mark of a talented writer, as the story progressed, I began to like Nick- really like him. I began to root for him. I wanted the stay at home moms in his family association to like him. I wanted him to succeed in parenting and running his home. I wanted him and his wife to find their happiness again. And I wanted him to stick it to the obnoxious "queen bee" Supermom. Did he do any of these things? I won't spoil the surprise. But, on his "journey", he learns what being a dad means to him and matures in the process.

The story is told in first person from Nick's point of view and he has a great voice. He felt real to me. The book is well-written and the characters well drawn. While many of the stay at home moms are stereotyped, they ring true and add to the humor of the novel. Nick even refers to them by nicknames I assume he created (we don't learn the first names of most of the moms we meet). Most stay at home moms will recognize the types portrayed and laugh right along (this reader did). You will also likely relate to some of the situations he finds himself in.

This book makes you feel good after you finish it. It's funny and sweet and more thought provoking than you'd expect given the blurb and the cute cover. It's a quick, easy read that satisfies. (As a side note, I can totally see this being a great a movie.)

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in a giveaway and thought it sounded like a fun read. I did not, however, find it very funny and couldn't even finish it. Awkward and realistic description of life with children? Yes. Really funny? No. The main character, Nick, spends most of the time whining about parenting rather than just dealing with it. He also seems to think, strangely for a youngish guy in the 21st century, that women are somehow more naturally fit to be stay-at-home parents (even though he has satirical nicknames for the neurotic mothers he interacts with). So he neither respects the other women putting their own careers on hold to take care of their kids, nor takes responsibility for trying to be a good parent himself. Really, a very frustrating book. The writing itself is clear and fluent, so I just wish the narrative and characters had been more interesting.

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a stay-at-home dad of twin girls, who lives in Manhatten while his wife has a high powered surgery fellowship. It is a comedy of gender roles flipping where he deals with the mommy wars as they play themselves out in his apartment building while dealing with his wife, who is touch and go with jealousy about his interactions with some of the stay-at-home moms in the building that he interacts with.

The main protagonist, is frankly not likable, being a bit of a jerk. This may be part of the appeal, you kindof enjoy seeing him get caught and get himself in trouble. Between stories about kids (who are sweet and sour), the mommy wars with male-female tension added on, and stressed out spouse bringing it into the relationship it feels like the book was piling on and trying too hard.

I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaways program.

[Erroll-Genre Hopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a first time author I think Mr. Armstrong did an awesome job of telling the story of a working man turned stay at home father.

I have numerous fave parts of this book. The first being the first interaction between the maintenance man about "Supermom", second is the whole chapter that involves the birthday clown, for obvious reasons. And lastly I enjoyed the chapter where the in-laws came into town. And how Nick kept a running tally of points for the various persons in attendance.

All in all it was indeed a good & easy read that kept me entertained all the way through. l'm looking forward to Mr. Armstrong's next project.

[Joan Mitchell]

This was really funny. A dad who couldn't find a job stays home with the kids and morphs into a dad who chooses to stay home with his kids. The story comes from his interactions with the other stay at home moms in his family association. We have all had contact with Supermom, nifty thrifty mom, caring mom and lion tamer mom. He even has a sexy mom and a couple of guy friends. The scenarios were very realistic. I enjoyed this book. I received this book from Goodreads for free.

[Robert G. Loden · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I have to disclose that I won this book on goodreads. Having said that I really enjoyed the read. I go in all directions on my tastes. This was a nice change of pace. Thank you again. Also, I
Always donate books I've won to various senior communities, so they have New and Fresh books
to read and enjoy.

[Mathangi Sri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious daddy 3.0..story about a computer geek turned stay at home dad..the best part someone asks towards the end, my husband is the oldest version 1.0, where can I upgrade him cheap..wish the author would have given a link for the upgrade

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was delighted with this book. yes it was funny, but it was also honest, revealing, and thoughtful without being over-the-top sappy. A nicely balanced contemporary story of today's nuclear (and not so) families.

[Lora]

This is a witty and charming book that I just loved! I think it would make a wonderful movie.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Lisa Paradis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had a great time reading this book. It was a laugh out loud book, detailing the trials and tribulations of being a stay at home dad.

[christine williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stand by your Man

I love this because we as parents have to do what's best for our families and keep others out of our business

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a definite fun read.

[Lenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing cast of characters attends Silicon Valley castoff's journey into stay-at-homedom in NYC while wife/doc does residency. Mildly amusing

[Denise Burchard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish, blah blah blah.

[Glen Chung]

Too close to home.

[Lauren Bourke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truth be told, I haven't finished this book. I didn't make it past the first chapter. Right away I didn't like the characters. I get the premise, guy suddenly has to be a stay at home parent and is struggling to figure it out, it's Mr. Mom in novel form. He makes himself and those around him 1-dimensional stereotypes. He's the fish out of water Dad, all the moms fit into neat catergories and have no depth. Yes, I realize that I didn't read much, but when even the women who are supposed to be his friends aren't given much of a personality beyond what you would find in a formulaic sitcom, you get a pretty good idea that things aren't going to get much better. Maybe one day I will read the whole thing, but it is going to take a lot of willpower to get past my initial, gut reaction.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick and his wife Liz move to New York from California so Liz could do a fellowship has an orthopedic surgeon. They live in a building with others who are also fellows in several different medical fields. Nick is the stay at home Dad because he has not found a job yet and everywhere he turns he blunders things. Play dates, haircuts, etc. You get involved with the other characters in the book along the way as some try to help Nick out but pointing out how he could have handled things differently. I thought this was funny and enjoyed the book.
I got this for free in a Good Reads Giveaway.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I won from Good Reads. I apologize to the author, it took me awhile to get to it. I always have a pile of books to read and long list of "to reads". It's always fun to get a surprise book in the mail, and I was happy to receive this one.
This book was funny!! I enjoyed it. It made me laugh out loud. It was a good read. I'm glad I read it, I would recommend it to anyone who wants a light hearted, fun book to read. I almost gave it a 4 but, it just didn't quite make it up there for me. I would like to give it a 3 1/2, but they don't have half stars.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought this book was great. I can almost picture the events described and as a stay at home parent of twins I could definitely relate. It is very funny and I didn't want to put it down. Definitely a fun read for a weekend.

I received this book as part of a good reads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Janice Cafarelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comical look at what happens when Nick becomes a stay at home Dad caring for his twin daughters while his wife continues her medical training. The story takes you through Nick's making his way in the world of children and playdates and trying to fit in a woman's world . I won this book on Goodreads .

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing fancy here, just a written version of Mr. Mom. Some of the characters were a bit over the top (but then again maybe that's the way it is in the higher echelons of parenting). Main characters were not really fleshed out. Author stayed true to the plot but writing was sophomoric. No surprises at the end of the book.

[Maryteresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

This is a story of how a dad learns the ins and outs of rearing two young twin daughters. Some of the situations are hilarious but all are very genuine. You can induce your own husband going thru the same trials and tribulations

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 An interesting read about the development of a stay at home dad, from a lazy, self pitying, do as little as possible person to Daddy 3.0. The characters were individual and quirky. I enjoyed the book.