Housebroken: Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Dad

by David Eddie

Housebroken charts the evolution of one man from unregenerate cad to stay-at-home dad. And along the way David Eddie provides lots of useful tips for other men who have ended up treading the domestic basic but puzzling things like how to cook, how to stay faithful to your wife and how to bend your gender without losing your machismo. Above all, Housebroken is a story of the great adventures it is possible to have within a three-block radius of your house, from one of the frankest, freshest and wittiest voices to come along in years.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Clint · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was hoping for a light, fluffy retrospective of a stay-at-home dad and the humorous misadventures of life with a child or children, and there’s a little of that here, but the Canadian author seems to spend much more time on himself. Just couldn’t warm up to the guy, who admits to prior drug use, abandoning his student loans, etc. Though the book is fairly short, it feels as though the author ran out of his story and had to fill it with semi-serious advice on cooking, cleaning, etc.

[John Beeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing is uneven, and the insights range from the obvious and boring to sublime and poignant. My favorite writing is at the end of chapter 8, after the writer takes his toddling son to see his dying grandmother.

"As I introduce Nicholas to my world . . . he's introducing me to his: a world of dogs, soap bubbles, candy, sandcastles, toy trains, imaginary bears, cookies, planes, dump trucks, and popsicles. It's a beautiful world, and hanging around Nicholas has been good for my (bitter, cynical, skeptical) personality, I think. I often tell people, if they feel upset, stressed out, or sick of it all, 'You know, you should spend less time with other people and more time with Nicholas.' I prescribe this to them, like a doctor prescribes aspirin. It's definitely worked for me. I'm a better person than I was a year ago. I can feel. it."

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

My opinion of this book presently: it falls short of its predecessor, Chump Change, especially towards the end, but all throughout I was conscious of David Eddie's particular writerly magic. The second time I read Chump Change, I realized it was much better than I'd previously assessed (which may or may not happen again if I ever re-read this one). I admire his courage in being writerly about the changing circumstances of his own life. Interested in tracking him down for an article or interview somewhere. We'll see what happens.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book - an extremely humorous account of the trials of a stay-at-home dad. Well worth it - and the author is a friend of mine.

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good, funny, honest... but he loses steam half-way through. Starts with a roar, goes out with a squeak. But some VERY funny, laugh out loud bits that any parent will relate to.

[Carolina Madrid]

Loved it. Light read, includes a great pasta recipe with lemon, capers, etc.