Daddy Needs a Drink Daddy Needs a Drink

by Robert Wilder

A Santa Fe dad shares heartwarming, comic, often ludicrous tales of raising a family in this laugh-out-loud book perfect for anyone who enjoys the edgy humor of David Sedaris or the whimsical commentary of DaveBarry. Waxing both profound and profane on issues close to a father's heart-from exploding diapers to toddler tantrums, from the horrors of dressing up as Frosty the Snowman to the moments that make afather proud-Robert Wilder brilliantly captures the joys and absurdities of being a parent today. With an artist wife and two kids--a daughter, Poppy, and a son, London-Robert Wilder considers himself as open-minded as the next man. Yet even he finds himself parentally challenged when his toddler son, London, careens around the house in the buff or asks the kind ofoutrageous, embarrassing questions only a kid can ask. A high school teacher who sometimes refers to himself jokingly as Mister Mom (when his wife, Lala, is busy in her studio), Wilder shares warmly funny stories oneverything from sleep deprivation to why school-sponsored charities can turn otherwise sane adults into blithering and begging idiots. Whether trying to conjure up the perfect baby name("Poppy" came to his wife's mother in a dream) or hiring a Baby Whisperer to get some much-needed sleep, Wilder offers priceless life lessons on discipline, potty training, even phallicfiddling (courtesy of young London). He describes the perils of learning to live monodextrously (doing everything with one hand while carrying your child around with the other) and the joys of watching his daughter morphinto a graceful, wise, unique little person right before his eyes. By turns tender, irreverent, and hysterically funny, Daddy Needs a Drink is a hilarious and poignant tribute to hisfamily by a man who truly loves being a father. "From the Hardcover edition."

Genres: Parenting, Humor, Nonfiction, Memoir, Essays

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Robert Wilder is the author of two critically acclaimed essay collections, Tales From The Teachers’ Lounge and Daddy Needs A Drink, both published by Delacorte Press. His YA novel, Nickel, will be published September 2016 by Leaf Storm Press.

A teacher for more than twenty-five years, he has earned numerous awards and fellowships, including the inaugural Innovations in Reading Prize by the National Book Foundation. He has published essays in Newsweek, Details, Salon, Parenting, Creative Nonfiction, plus numerous anthologies and has been a commentator for NPR’s Morning Edition. Wilder lives in Santa Fe, NM.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could give this book exactly 2 1/2 stars, I would. I suppose by the general rules of math, rounding up to 3 is good enough. As a new parent, I was hoping for something a little more insightful or originally humorous from this collection of what amounts to short, nonfiction(?) or possibly somewhat fictionalized in certain respects (more likely, especially in terms of specific dialogue) stories by a dad about the tribulations of child-rearing. While a lot of the stories were amusing, Robert Wilder falls back a little on some cliches and isn't particularly reflective about his own or his wife's parenting styles. That said, kids do funny things, and the tales of his children give me something to look forward to with my own. Perhaps that extra half-star can also be attributed to his descriptions of life in Santa Fe, a city where I work but don't live. Many of the observations of its people and culture are right on the money.

[Stacy Jensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suscribe to Chinaberry which sends out wonderful reviews and ideas for children's book and some adult ones as well. Usually, the recommendations are reliable but they really missed the boat on this one. It was described as "lovely" and "a wonderful fresh look at fatherhood through humor." I know humor and if you think awful language, sexually explicit material and crude comments qualify as humor, well then, this is the book for you! If not, give it a wide berth. You might be saying to yourself, "Stacy, doesn't the title indicate this might be something to be avoided?" Well, if you have read the "Three Martini Play Date" which is hilarious without being offensive, then you wouldn't neccessarily be concerned. And add to this the review and support by Chinaberry. I feel that I've been had.

[Nedjoyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty fun read. Picked up at night. Cute and empathetic. Lighthearted and enjoyable

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fluffy read - this was written in 2006 s0 some of it is a little dated. It's a collection of essays with the focus on fatherhood - from birth to school-age. The problems are mostly comical and not terribly taxing. The kids are precocious and lend themselves to some interesting situations. This is the mental equivalent of a 30 minute sitcom - complete with a wife named Lala and kids named Poppy and London. If you're looking for in-depth examination of family life, this is not the book to pick. If you want a cute escape for a few minutes, read on.

Quotes to remember:

On keeping family size at 2 children: Why go to zone defense when you survive just fine with man-to-man?

...all moms and dads do crazy things out of love for their children. I'm talking beyond the daily sandwich making...and I'm-my-kid's-roadie chores and responsibilities.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this knowing it would be an irreverent look at parenting- I appreciate being reminded what’s funny in the long, tedious journey of raising little humans. Wilder did not disappoint & I found myself laughing for days after I read this book. Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

You couldn't pick four words to better describe my life these days.

[John Utsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wry look at fatherhood. A great collection of stories about raising kids.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 1 out of 5]

This compilation feels like a compendium of rejects from Wilder's hum)or column for the Santa Fe Reporter; it's a snide commentary on fathering two young children that masks parental indolence with humor. Breezy but shallow, the essays quickly grow tiresome. On the prospect of growing from two children to three, for example, Wilder writes, "Why go to zone defense when you can survive just fine with man-to-man?" Bill Cosby's body of work and Tim Bete's In The Beginning ... There Were No Diapers: Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood have shown that it's possible to poke fun at fatherhood, but Wilder's effort feels particularly undignified. It's hard to be simultaneously snarky and decent, and here his leanings toward the former win out. While the book paints a vivid portrait of paternal love, it also shows a dad who's not trying very hard as a parent. Not recommended.

Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the library thinking "hey this has to be funny because if I drank I could sure use one most days." Robert Wilder combines a series of short stories about his adventures in parenting his two children. There are a lot of stories parents can identify with, and some just plain strange ones, told from a humorous point of view. At first I really enjoyed the book, I always appreciate a book that can give me a good laugh. There was some language I don't personally use, but that was probably to be expected. Unfortunately about two thirds of the way through the book some of the stories took a turn for the worse and along with the language got a bit too raunchy for me. I quit reading it about this point and did what I usually do when I don't feel like I should finish the book. Flip to the back and wrap it all up for myself so I don't spend days wondering how the author ended it. Potentially this could be a really enjoyable book if the author had toned it down a bit, or if it doesn't bother you.

[Kat Shelton]

Book Jacket:

With an artist wife and two kids--a daughter, Poppy, and a
son, London--Robert Wilder considers himself as open
minded as the next man. Yet even he finds himself
parentally challenged when his toddler son, London,
careens around the house in the buff or asks the kind of
outrageous, embarrassing questions only a kid can ask.

In this entertaining and heartwarming book, Wilder, a
Santa Fe high school teacher, waxes both profound and
profane on issues close to a father's heart--from
exploding diapers to toddler tantrums, from the horrors of
dressing up as Frosty the Snowman to the moments that make
a father proud. Brilliantly capturing the joys and
absurdities of being a parent today, he shares warmly
funny stories on everything from sleep deprivation to why
school-sponsored charities can turn otherwise sane adults
into blithering and begging idiots. By turns tender,
irreverent, and laugh-out-loud funny, "Daddy Needs a
Drink" is a hilarious and poignant tribute to his family
by a man who truly loves being a father.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as someone who needed a light, fun read. I love this book. He is crass and a wise ass and I love it. He talks about the crazy, funny things that happen to all parents. I especially loved the talk of crazy diaper changes and unexpected words coming out of your children's mouths. I found that some of the best essays come at the beginning and really each chapter was written as its own little story much in the vein of David Sedaris. He repeats himself a bit and some of the later stories are a little less funny, but I still love it. The stories of how his daughter is in love with Southwestern food and culture (the stories are mostly set in Santa Fe) reminded me so much of my little girls.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my husband, but I ended up reading it, too. It had me laughing outloud on the El. One of the taglines on the cover described it as the book David Sedaris would write if he had kids. I agree with that statement.

My one complaint is that I would have preferred a more chronological flow, but I understand that the chapters are individual essays.

Anyway, Robert Wilder has a gift for recounting parenting stories in a hilarious manner.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three quarters of the way through this book I was still asking myself why I was reading it; so I stopped. The book is full of anecdotes about the parenting of children. Some of the anecdotes hit home and others didn't. There were a few very funny moments but, overall, I got the feeling that the author amuses himself much more than the audience. Without any real words of wisdom or plot line, I felt I was reading a bad stand up comedy routine and eventually gave up.

[Suparna Banerjee-Emanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! Loving without being sappy, realistic without being discouraging... a humorous and balanced and strangely truthful look at parenting and fatherhood. There were points I laughed so hard I woke up my husband from a sound sleep. And it was touching too. I recommend it for the episode with the exploding diapers alone!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. I got this for Bill for Father's Day and then wound up reading it myself in snippets while Cooper napped. There are few things I enjoy more than laughing out loud to myself while reading--and there were more than a few of those moments to be had. The chapter entitled "Pussy" killed me. I can't wait until my kid really starts to talk...hipples!

[Rachel Ziegler]

My friend Jenn sent me this book! I am only a few chapters in and this book is hilarious. Anyone with kids will enjoy this book. It is written by a dad who is a high school literature teacher. The book is written from a males' point of view and is full of real life experiences that most parents have had.

[Christopher Mocella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get the idea: funny guy with a wife and kids recounts various vignettes and stories written in a comedic format, while sometimes imparting useful tips. I just found myself a little bored with the writing, and it became more of a chore to go through the chapters than enjoying. Probably good for some people, and certainly came recommended, just not my gig I guess.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as edgy as the title led me to believe but still a great collection of essays on family life. I love Wilder's use of hyperbole and descriptive language.

If you're looking for some laugh out loud material, this is the book for you.

[Ewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

No author has made me laugh outloud from a book as Robert Wilder. Even David Sedaris has produced nothing more than a few dnickers and smiles. The stories about married life with children are hilarious, even if you don't have children (I don't). I recommend this book to EVERYONE!

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started out ok, but got real old, real quick. The stories became mundane and repetitive. I also did not agree with much of their parenting styles, so I couldn't get into it. Honestly, this guy should just have a blog... but for this to be published? Not good enough.

[Kelly Coyle DiNorcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. While I thought it was funny at times, I mostly found this book repetitive. Also, while I'm not particularly offended by foul language and potty humor, I felt like it's use in this book was forced and didn't really add to the comic effect.

[Jack · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing --- I was hoping for some more humor out of this book by a dad supposedly writing a funny book about parenting. Not that funny. Stories were somewhat interesting but it didn't deliver.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute parenting book, probably 3.5 stars. They live in Santa Fe, which gives this great local color. Although the author sometimes satirizes the chi-chi vibe of the city, sometimes the wealth shown makes me a little uncomfortable. Cute cheery read.

[Kimberly]

I bought this for Kevin for father's day, but I can't wait to read it.

[Beth Kelley]

So funny. Everyone should read this book, kids or no kids. Hilarious! And I saw many aspects of my own parents and my childhood throughout. I laughed the entire time!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, if a little repetitive

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hysterically funny and also very sweet. The essay format makes it easy to read here and there when you can only grab a few minutes.

[Jane]

Whether or not you have kids, this is a funny book. In fact, some of the funniest, laugh out loud parts are about the author's own childhood.

[Kim]

Amusing personal essays on parenthood written by journalist father with quirky view of world and his kids.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

some good laugh out loud moments for dads (or moms too)