Review of The First Time Father

[Anusha Thatavarthi]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The First Time Father" by Thomas Alfie.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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The First Time Father by Alfie Thomas is a how-to-book on navigating new fatherhood. The author met his wife at a friend’s party and after a year’s courtship; they get married. After a few years, Alfie finds out that he is going to be a father. Although this news leaves him feeling giddy, it also makes him feel anxious and helpless. He doesn’t know the first thing about raising a baby. And when he tries to do his research through books and articles, he realizes that most of the advice out there is for new mothers. There is no manual for being a good and helpful father. So, he sets out to write one based on his own experiences.

What results is a very comprehensive guide on how to navigate pregnancy and the aftermath. The author talks about everything a father has to ready himself for, starting from baby-proofing the house to packing a bag for the hospital with all the essentials the mother needs. He explains how important it is to lend support to your partner in the labour room and the various techniques that help soothe her. The book also details the first few months with the baby and how it affects various relationships and commitments in the new father’s life.

The First Time Father is not about having only a cheerful outlook after having a child. It also deals with very real issues, like how the relationship between partners changes with the stress of caring for a new person. It also talks about dad guilt, a much less discussed topic in our society. The author also emphasizes the importance of paternity leave and the very positive effects of this bonding time between a father and his child. 

I liked how the author emphasized the importance of a father’s role in a child’s life in this book. I also liked how the author has been meticulous with every little detail from the birth of a child to raise them. The details of the author’s personal experience lent more credibility and authenticity to his writings.

There is nothing I disliked about the book. I didn’t find any errors. The book seems to be professionally edited. There is no graphic violence or erotic scenes. There is no profanity.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because this book is very useful and well edited. I recommend it to all the new fathers and fathers-to-be, as this could be a handbook to them throughout their child’s early years. 

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The First Time Father
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