The Power of Dadhood: How to Become the Father Your Child Needs

by Michael Smith

The Power of Dadhood encourages men to father with the knowledge that they are vitally important to the futures of their children. National speaker Michael Byron Smith discusses the implications of a fatherless home, the challenges of parenting, and the hierarchy of fathers. There are absent fathers, present yet uninvolved fathers, authoritative fathers, loving fathers, teaching fathers, and many more. Any man, through The Power of Dadhood, can assess himself, see where he stands, and make choices to become a real Dad and find the power of Dadhood!

Genres: Parenting, Self Help

248 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael Byron Smith graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1972 and is now a retired military officer and civilian engineer. He has been married 39 years and has three children and three grandchildren. He lives in Ballwin, Missouri, and loves being a father and grandfather.

Reviews

[Susan Hoechst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written book about fatherhood is offered as a mentoring guide to any father who is looking to be the best “Dad” he can be to his children. Michael Byron Smith is the “Dad” of three adult children whose father was often absent during his own childhood and those of his five siblings, and he relates from personal experience the impact this has had on their lives, the lives of their children, and their children’s children. Michael loved his father, despite the often despicable things he did when he was present, and he emphasizes the tremendous impact a father has on a child’s well-being even though our current society seems to struggle to recognize it. His supporting evidence reveals that in 2011 over 40% of children were born to unwed mothers and that statistically within five years almost all the biological fathers of these children will have disappeared from their lives.

Though not claiming to be an “expert” Michael shares what he has learned works in this handbook full of practical advice. Written with the intent of providing a prevention guide to minimize potential future problems it starts with a list titled “What Every Dad Should Teach His Children”, which begins with –

• The joy of being involved in life
• The ability to generate happiness from within

And ends with –

• The recognition that they alone choose how to react to any given situation
• The talent to choose well.

The comprehensive topics range from the importance of a father’s presence in the early years of a child’s life to how to educate your child to manage money. Scattered throughout the book are “Dad Tips” that summarize and highlight key concepts. The book ends with an appendix in which Michael uses his years of military experience to create a “Self-Inspection Checklist”. This list of questions, not intended to judge, provide a vehicle for a father in reflecting on his relationship with his children. A great gift for any new father, or anyone interested in giving a child an optimum start to become a stable, self-reliant adult.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be given to every new father. Wonderful insight on being a good Dad. Check out his blog, too, at http://michaelbyronsmith.com/