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Dadskills: How to Be an Awesome Father and Impress All the Other Parents
They say that one of the hardest parts of parenting is that there’s no manual. Well, now there is (at least for dads!). Dadskills delivers simple, hard-hitting tips and advice in a witty, fun, and easily digestible format.
This handy, amusing book is perfect for the busy guy who has his eye on the “Father of the Year” award. Organized by the child’s stage and age range, each chapter covers essential insights and techniques to keeping kids happy, safe, healthy…and stopping them from torturing their parents. Following the style of its tongue-in-cheek predecessor, Manskills, Dadskills wraps valid, incredibly useful information inside humorous writing. Chapters cover all stages of the journey:
Baby Wrangling: Learn how to prep a go bag so you're always ready, take a crash course in how to swaddle a baby, and find all you need to know about properly carrying your newborn.
Dealing with Toddlers: Equip yourself to fight night terrors, learn how to manage tantrums, and make your way through the winding path from crawling to walking.
The Single-Digit Challenge: Prime your kid to be a super student with a custom geography relief map, find tips for building self confidence, and embrace fun by learning how to make the perfect sandcastle.
Managing Tweens: Get everyone on the same page by creating a calendar everyone will actually use and learn how to get a tween cooking with easy and fun recipes.
Taming Teenagers: Everything you should know before having "the talk," how to build skills through chores or a first job, and how to teach a teen to drive in four easy steps.
Prepping for the Empty Nest: Tips for staying connected (but not too connected), cherishing memories with a tasteful craft project, and quick and easy ways to redesign a former kid's room.
Can this book prepare you for all the challenges of fatherhood? Probably not! But every bit helps and you're sure to learn a lesson or twelve that comes in handy.
This handy, amusing book is perfect for the busy guy who has his eye on the “Father of the Year” award. Organized by the child’s stage and age range, each chapter covers essential insights and techniques to keeping kids happy, safe, healthy…and stopping them from torturing their parents. Following the style of its tongue-in-cheek predecessor, Manskills, Dadskills wraps valid, incredibly useful information inside humorous writing. Chapters cover all stages of the journey:
Baby Wrangling: Learn how to prep a go bag so you're always ready, take a crash course in how to swaddle a baby, and find all you need to know about properly carrying your newborn.
Dealing with Toddlers: Equip yourself to fight night terrors, learn how to manage tantrums, and make your way through the winding path from crawling to walking.
The Single-Digit Challenge: Prime your kid to be a super student with a custom geography relief map, find tips for building self confidence, and embrace fun by learning how to make the perfect sandcastle.
Managing Tweens: Get everyone on the same page by creating a calendar everyone will actually use and learn how to get a tween cooking with easy and fun recipes.
Taming Teenagers: Everything you should know before having "the talk," how to build skills through chores or a first job, and how to teach a teen to drive in four easy steps.
Prepping for the Empty Nest: Tips for staying connected (but not too connected), cherishing memories with a tasteful craft project, and quick and easy ways to redesign a former kid's room.
Can this book prepare you for all the challenges of fatherhood? Probably not! But every bit helps and you're sure to learn a lesson or twelve that comes in handy.
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2020
6 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 7, 2023
I’m not a dad, but I read this book hoping to learn a thing or two about raising a kid anyway. Instead, what I got was a dad in a book! Not only does this book teach dads how to act with kids, it also teaches dads (or in my case, a 23 year old kid) how to do things a dad should’ve taught me growing up!
I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting this book to cover the heavy topics. I was pleasantly surprised to come across sections about mental health, talking to kids about school shootings, and *the talk*.
This book is written in a way that feels like a conversation, not a how-to guide. I have to say, if you don’t have your own father to teach you not only “how to dad” but also how to live, this book’s got you covered.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting this book to cover the heavy topics. I was pleasantly surprised to come across sections about mental health, talking to kids about school shootings, and *the talk*.
This book is written in a way that feels like a conversation, not a how-to guide. I have to say, if you don’t have your own father to teach you not only “how to dad” but also how to live, this book’s got you covered.
December 1, 2025
Lots of cool little hacks, so we not applicable, but still glad I read this one.
I only read until the teenager part as I have a ways to go until then. Excited to pick this one up again in a few years.
I appreciate the format of the book.
I only read until the teenager part as I have a ways to go until then. Excited to pick this one up again in a few years.
I appreciate the format of the book.
Currently reading
April 17, 2025BT 2023 The best books on fatherhood
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/life...
Baby wrangling
*crib: just baby. No pillows, stuffed toys or anything else. Just for sleep.
*catch baby: wash hands prior
*411 rule on contractions = 4min in b/w contractions tt lasts 1min & contractions ‘ve been steady for 1hr =>call gynae emergency hotline. It’s time for delivery
*best time to clip baby’s nails = when baby is calm eg asleep or right after bath. Use baby nail clippers.
*baby bonding tips: lots & lots of snuggling & cuddling. Skin-to-skin contact eg 30min lying on the couch bare chested w/ baby in only a diaper is a special lead up to a nap or just pleasant quiet time. Eye contact & speak to baby. Express love.
*burping baby
https://youtu.be/m50PTFmmlxw
*changing diapers
https://youtu.be/CNGMxro6Qvo
*bathing baby
https://youtu.be/7yxd25nZMaE
*Cues from baby
Hunger: >1hr since last feeding (feed w/i 3hr intervals for 1st mth); baby mouth eating motion/tongue thrusts (lots of mouth movement)/sucking on anything w/i reach/rooting =>wants to latch; diving for nipple. Crying is a late cue. Loud & sudden, urgent builds up to scream
Loneliness: eyes wide open, relaxed body =>baby wants to play. Late cue: grizzles, moan leading to frightened scream
Wind: baby just ate; mouth blowing/spitting action; satisfied/sleepy/"milk drunk" but if baby is not looking relaxed; uncomfortable squirming movements/pulling legs up; gags/creaking noises/grimacing. Short shrill scream w/ pauses in b/w
Diaper change: thoughtful expression; pursed lips; furrowed brows; grunting
Soreness: whimpers slowly increase to loud cry. High pitched & prolonged
Teething: grizzles; irritating; chewing fists; dribbling
https://youtu.be/RiV_uXOg6Bg
https://youtu.be/pbKy4RPq6gI
https://youtu.be/FR1bzQ1PLWc
6 Tips to Calm a Colicky Baby in Minutes
https://youtu.be/hvbtmkTiVwg
*massage baby
https://youtu.be/3LU2-YNvRGg
Child environment TED
https://youtu.be/oXYre2T3p_k
How to Teach Your Child About Financial Literacy
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/a...
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/life...
Baby wrangling
*crib: just baby. No pillows, stuffed toys or anything else. Just for sleep.
*catch baby: wash hands prior
*411 rule on contractions = 4min in b/w contractions tt lasts 1min & contractions ‘ve been steady for 1hr =>call gynae emergency hotline. It’s time for delivery
*best time to clip baby’s nails = when baby is calm eg asleep or right after bath. Use baby nail clippers.
*baby bonding tips: lots & lots of snuggling & cuddling. Skin-to-skin contact eg 30min lying on the couch bare chested w/ baby in only a diaper is a special lead up to a nap or just pleasant quiet time. Eye contact & speak to baby. Express love.
*burping baby
https://youtu.be/m50PTFmmlxw
*changing diapers
https://youtu.be/CNGMxro6Qvo
*bathing baby
https://youtu.be/7yxd25nZMaE
*Cues from baby
Hunger: >1hr since last feeding (feed w/i 3hr intervals for 1st mth); baby mouth eating motion/tongue thrusts (lots of mouth movement)/sucking on anything w/i reach/rooting =>wants to latch; diving for nipple. Crying is a late cue. Loud & sudden, urgent builds up to scream
Loneliness: eyes wide open, relaxed body =>baby wants to play. Late cue: grizzles, moan leading to frightened scream
Wind: baby just ate; mouth blowing/spitting action; satisfied/sleepy/"milk drunk" but if baby is not looking relaxed; uncomfortable squirming movements/pulling legs up; gags/creaking noises/grimacing. Short shrill scream w/ pauses in b/w
Diaper change: thoughtful expression; pursed lips; furrowed brows; grunting
Soreness: whimpers slowly increase to loud cry. High pitched & prolonged
Teething: grizzles; irritating; chewing fists; dribbling
https://youtu.be/RiV_uXOg6Bg
https://youtu.be/pbKy4RPq6gI
https://youtu.be/FR1bzQ1PLWc
6 Tips to Calm a Colicky Baby in Minutes
https://youtu.be/hvbtmkTiVwg
*massage baby
https://youtu.be/3LU2-YNvRGg
Child environment TED
https://youtu.be/oXYre2T3p_k
How to Teach Your Child About Financial Literacy
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/a...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews