Review of The First Time Father
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Susan Gibbs
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Review of The First Time Father
[Following is a volunteer review of "The First Time Father" by Thomas Alfie.]
I'm so glad that Thomas Alfie wrote The First-Time Father Baby’s First Year! He discovered that there are not many resources available for first-time fathers. Almost all books are written for the newly pregnant mother or mothers of young babies. Fathers also need information on how to navigate their partner’s pregnancy and on what to expect when their baby comes home from the hospital. They also need to be armed with information for the first few months after the baby’s birth. His book has chapters on what men can do beforehand to prepare for the baby’s birth, the undeniable importance of a father in a child’s life (should some men doubt that they are important), making your home baby-proof, work/home life equilibrium, a baby’s developmental stages, attachment styles, effective parenting strategies, and general advice.
I liked the fact that this book is written in an accessible way. The author's style is friendly and helpful. The book is comprehensive and practical. It is easy to read and absorb the information. He provides lists with bullet points and his suggestions are all very helpful. He reassures and encourages his readers at every opportunity. He is very honest about what he has learned. He gives details of his personal experiences.
I admired how his most important piece of advice is for fathers to just live in the moment. He tells them that they can never be completely ready. They can only be as ready as they can be. He says we are not born with the skills to look after a child. You learn on the job. This is reassuring to those who might feel out of their depth. He points out that each child is different, so no advice applies to all babies or fathers. This book will help to increase new fathers’ confidence. The author provides a guiding point of reference for men who feel overwhelmed.
It was interesting to read the section on attachment styles. I was not expecting the book to cover this psychological aspect of a child’s development. He backs up his information with relevant research. He also covers the possibility of depression occurring in men after a baby enters their lives. I hadn’t really considered that this might happen. Welcoming a new baby brings huge changes to one’s life. It was good to have this highlighted. It is also beneficial that his book covers a full year in the baby’s life, rather than leave the father lacking the relevant knowledge they need for these life stages. He addresses the time before birth, the birth, and the months after birth.
There was nothing I disliked about the book. It fulfilled my expectations. It is concise and definitely worth reading.
The book seemed to me to have been edited well as I only picked up a few errors. I am happy to rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
I highly recommend this practical book to all fathers expecting their first child. They will find it very useful. Those women or men who want to see what a first-time father goes through, or what he should know during this exciting time, might also enjoy this book. Those interested in psychology will enjoy the chapter on attachment styles in babies.
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The First Time Father
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
I'm so glad that Thomas Alfie wrote The First-Time Father Baby’s First Year! He discovered that there are not many resources available for first-time fathers. Almost all books are written for the newly pregnant mother or mothers of young babies. Fathers also need information on how to navigate their partner’s pregnancy and on what to expect when their baby comes home from the hospital. They also need to be armed with information for the first few months after the baby’s birth. His book has chapters on what men can do beforehand to prepare for the baby’s birth, the undeniable importance of a father in a child’s life (should some men doubt that they are important), making your home baby-proof, work/home life equilibrium, a baby’s developmental stages, attachment styles, effective parenting strategies, and general advice.
I liked the fact that this book is written in an accessible way. The author's style is friendly and helpful. The book is comprehensive and practical. It is easy to read and absorb the information. He provides lists with bullet points and his suggestions are all very helpful. He reassures and encourages his readers at every opportunity. He is very honest about what he has learned. He gives details of his personal experiences.
I admired how his most important piece of advice is for fathers to just live in the moment. He tells them that they can never be completely ready. They can only be as ready as they can be. He says we are not born with the skills to look after a child. You learn on the job. This is reassuring to those who might feel out of their depth. He points out that each child is different, so no advice applies to all babies or fathers. This book will help to increase new fathers’ confidence. The author provides a guiding point of reference for men who feel overwhelmed.
It was interesting to read the section on attachment styles. I was not expecting the book to cover this psychological aspect of a child’s development. He backs up his information with relevant research. He also covers the possibility of depression occurring in men after a baby enters their lives. I hadn’t really considered that this might happen. Welcoming a new baby brings huge changes to one’s life. It was good to have this highlighted. It is also beneficial that his book covers a full year in the baby’s life, rather than leave the father lacking the relevant knowledge they need for these life stages. He addresses the time before birth, the birth, and the months after birth.
There was nothing I disliked about the book. It fulfilled my expectations. It is concise and definitely worth reading.
The book seemed to me to have been edited well as I only picked up a few errors. I am happy to rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
I highly recommend this practical book to all fathers expecting their first child. They will find it very useful. Those women or men who want to see what a first-time father goes through, or what he should know during this exciting time, might also enjoy this book. Those interested in psychology will enjoy the chapter on attachment styles in babies.
******
The First Time Father
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Wisdom by Arun mago
