The Joy of Fatherhood: The First Twelve Months

by Marcus Jacob Goldman

Fatherhood has been known to transform even the toughest and most resilient into a quivering mass. This first-year-dad's survival guide offers practical, month-by-month guidance that will help men not only cope with, but genuinely enjoy, their new challenges, responsibilities, and adventures as a father. Monthly topics include
What's new with your baby? What's new with Mom and Dad? Bonding with baby, Growing together, and more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple reading with a pragmatic approach for fathers of all ages to take in. Sometimes it felt a little too simplified such as the authors mention that fathers shouldn't molest or abuse their kid. Yeah there is some sarcasm there but how about instead of stating the obvious why not throw in some information on spotting signs of abuse?

The is much mention in this book and numerous other forms of media and communications about how overwhelming it can feel when becoming a parent and I am starting to feel that one of the reasons is the vague reference materials out there that taut their subject matter experts left and right however literally include an escape clause in their literature that simply states, you will learn by experience or by trial and error. Then why am I even reading this or putting trust into your input?

I gave this 4 stars for its ease of reading and organization although I found many flaws that I felt took away from the book however when comparing this to other reading materials I feel that this is one of the better ones that I came across. I will recommend it to a point but I would also recommend new fathers to search for others as well.

[Alex Herr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good parenting/fatherhood book for the first year of your baby's life. I recommend reading it if primarily for the insights into the way mom is thinking and feeling.

On the down side, I think the book focuses too much on the worries and potential safety concerns for me. Also, in sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle ways the book presents outdated ideas about working parents and their families. Not all mothers will be exhausted from chasing a 1 year old around all day. Many moms work these days.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband received this book as a gift before we had our son. He read it in one day (and he's not a "reader"). He refers to it at the beginning of each new month of our son's life. It has been really helpful to him. I read it as well, and it is easy to read, with a handful of humor....perfect for the new father!

[Thorin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely recommend this book to first time fathers. It is written month by month so you can follow along and know what the babies are going through, what other fathers went through and how to make it all work together. It didn't change my life; my daughter did that, but it was a welcome companion through the first year of my daughter's life.

[Scott]

Still working on the book but so far very easy reading.