Congratulations, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: What's Ahead from A to Z for First-Time Fathers [Paperback]

Paul Pettit (Author), Pam Pettit (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2002

An indispensable guide to everything a first-time father needs to know. Medically accurate A–Z information on everything from air travel to zinc oxide. "I recommend this book for first-time fathers." —Chuck Swindoll (20060901)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Many first-time fathers-to-be have no idea what is before them. In many cases they had fathers who weren't involved with them during their formative years. This book was written to help new dads prepare for what lies ahead for them from the time they first learn they are pregnant to when the baby is around eighteen months old. It also includes advice from new dads from James Dobson, Chuck Swindoll and others. . . .I wish my husband and our sons had had the book to read many years ago when they were going through the process. I would encourage you to give a copy or recommend this book to everyone you know who is becoming a dad for the first time." (Ann Bales All About Families Newsletter )

From the Back Cover

Most dads look forward to d-day (delivery day) with a strange mix of excitement and dread. And it’s no surprise since the birth of his first child is probably among the most nerve-stretching events a man will ever experience.

While dads-to-be are plagued by thousands of questions about entering the baby-fray, guys aren’t likely to sit down with their fathers and friends to engage in “baby-talk.” So where does a dad find a reliable source of information and preserve his “he-man” image?

This is the resource you’re looking for. Set up in an easy-to-use A-to-Z format, this book is written by a veteran dad and his wife, who clearly presents the female perspective—and the medical insights afforded by her training—on matters that sometimes confuse men. Also included are features by several “seasoned dads”—such as Dr. James Dobson and Chuck Swindoll—who have experienced much in the trenches of fatherhood and now pass what they’ve learned along to readers.

“Here's a book that will help first-time dads get off to a good start.”

—Dr. Joseph M. Stowell
President, Moody Bible Institute

"I know Paul and Pam, and I recommend this book for first-time fathers."

—Chuck Swindoll

Paul and Pamela Pettit are the extraordinarily busy parents of five children and live in Dallas, Texas, where Paul serves as Associate Director of Spiritual Formation and the President & Founder of Dynamic Dads. Pamela works on the transport team for neonatal intensive care for Baylor University Medical Center. Paul is a former sportscaster and popular speaker for men’s groups and young people.

www.dynamicdads.com

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (January 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082543484X
• ISBN-13: 978-0825434846
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Paul Pettit serves as Director of Spiritual Formation and teaches in the departments of Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary. Paul's background includes experience as a sportscaster, author, and speaker. He and wife Pamela, co-authored Congratulations, You're Gonna be a Dad! (Kregel) In addition Paul has written; Dynamic Dads: How to be a Hero to Your Kids (Tyndale House), Congratulations, You've Got 'Tweens. (Kregel), and Foundations of Spiritual Formation. (Kregel Academic)
Paul holds degrees from the University of Kansas, Moody Bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program, Dallas Theological Seminary's Master of Theology and the Doctor of Ministry degree also from Dallas Seminary. He enjoys coaching emerging leaders and also basketball, golf, politics, and barbecue.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Warning: Christian Content, March 29, 2004

By 

Pagan Mommy-2-B (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Congratulations, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: What's Ahead from A to Z for First-Time Fathers (Paperback)

This book is very good at helping men understand a lot of the things that go with pregnancy and childbirth, in an easy to understand methode (alphabetical order). However, I was not expecting this book to be focused on Christian religious beliefs. For a family who is not Christian, this was a little annoying, as we did not relate to the many stories from men in the church community. Basically at the beginning of each letter, there is a short story from a minister, or religious teacher about his experience with his own wife and childbirth etc. While the stories were very touching, they were filled with Christian language and references to the bible. If on the other hand you are a devout Christian, this is the book for you.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Supportive Guide for Soon-to-Be Dads, April 12, 2002

By 

MyParenTime.com "myparentimesfamily" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Congratulations, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: What's Ahead from A to Z for First-Time Fathers (Paperback)

Who do women turn to for information when they're pregnant? Many times they know other women who have either been through a pregnancy, or who are pregnant at the same time as they are. Who do the soon-to-be husbands turn to? Other men or women? I tend to think not. Let's face it...it's easier for women to discuss their pregnancies than it is for their husbands. Actually, it's easier for women to discuss lots of things :-). So if men don't turn to anyone else, where can they turn to to find the answers to their many questions about their wife's pregnancy? One good source is the book, "Congratulations, You're Gonna Be a Dad," by Paul & Pam Pettit.

As a mother, I was able to relate to many of the situations in the book. Men, on the other hand, will certainly gain a lot of knowledge, and read what it's like to be a dad from the many stories written by fathers. Soon-to-be dads will learn what it means when someone tells their wife that they are "glowing;" what a "growth spurt" is; and many more useful facts about pregnancy and fatherhood. And women...men will also get some tips on how to prevent and treat diaper rash -- now there's no excuse! I think soon-to-be fathers will gain a little more respect for women, pregnancy, and the whole process of reproduction after they've read this book :-).

My ParenTime recommends "Congratulations Youre Gonna Be a Dad" - It's informative, enlightening, a joy to read, and will help men prepare a little more mentally, for an event that will soon change the rest of their lives.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Totally unhelpful book. Waste of money., January 11, 2009

By 

John Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Congratulations, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: What's Ahead from A to Z for First-Time Fathers (Paperback)

When I started looking for a Dad book, this is the one that was recommended most by the so-called experts, and came with the highest reviews. I could not be more disappointed. First of all, the book is entirely incoherent; it is literally organized like a dictionary by topic; A to Z, with about a paragraph or so on average relating to each topic. I found it impossible to read in any linear fashion. One second you are reading about something first-trimester of pregnancy, the next something about a 6-month old baby, the next something about the third trimester, etc. If you are actually a first-time dad (as this book is supposed to be desinged for), you do not know what topic you should even look up, so how are you supposed to find information?

But most of all, and as a Christian, I found this book to be HIGHLY offensive. I do not see how anyone who is not one of those guilt-laden Christians can make it through this book. I believe Christianity is about loving one another regardless of differences or beliefs, but the author definately does not agree with me. Blurbs such as "Have you prayed for your WIFE & unborn baby today" seem designed to bring you guilt if you are not married, or don't pray on a daily basis, or even if you do pray, if you are not praying for the right things. I thought this book was supposed to be helpful not hurtful? Regardless, I made it through about 10 pages until I threw it in the trash as totally worthless. If you are looking for a good dad book I have two recommendations; First, if you are looking for a funny, sports-themed, yet informative first-time dad book I highly recommend "Quarterback Dad: A Play by Play Guide to Tackling Your New Baby" by Bobby Mercer with Dr. Alison D. Schoniwald MD, FAAP. If you are looking for a more serious, but yet funny and informative book, I would go with "Becoming a Father" by William Sears, MD. Both of these books are written in a coherent manner and can be read straight through with no offensive overtones. But stay away from "Congratulations..."