Customer Reviews

Crouching Father, Hidden Toddler: A Zen Guide for New Dads

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought this book was great. There are so many urban legends and/or "old wives tales" that new parents get while pregnant. It was nice to read something that one was praticable and more importantly written from a males prospective. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and read it over and over.

I got this for my son in law when my g'daughter was born. The writing and illustrations demonstrate a sense of fun. There's nothing innovative in the text, but there's a sense of re-assurance to the new dad who's nervous about whether sleeping through baby's initial wake-up cries will scar her for life.

Good entertainment reading for a new dad or expecting dad! Sadly, there aren't many gifts for a new daddy; this was a simple little one to let dad know he's important too! It's funny, light and also, a bit insightful to boot!

This was my husband's favorite of all the gifts we got. We don't agree with all the advice in the book, but it is very funny. We have had several laughs together as he reads me funny excerpts. It is also the perfect "bathroom book" for men, as it is mostly one-pagers. Dads are often forgotten when it comes to gifts for expecting parents. My husband was happy to have something just for him and I love to see his enjoyment as he reads about becoming a dad.

This book is funny but also has some helpful advice and insights, such as don't forget that the baby monitor is on when you go to check on your baby when you have guests - they will be able to hear you! My husband found some of his experiences validated, and we've enjoyed it together when he reads it aloud to me while I'm breastfeeding.

A well-illustrated, byte-sized zany and zenny attitude-modifying book for new dads. Despite the seemingly light-hearted tone, the book effectively innoculates a father-to-be against stress through a humorous analysis of various parental challenges and scenarios. Most importantly, the book imparts the quint-essential zen attitude of moderation - both in terms of the balance b/w child-care and self-care and in terms of expectations. The book - daringly - examines the parental "ego" needs - without ever using this psychoanalytic/psychodynamic terminology! - by reminding dads not to project and to curb their needs for narcissistic reflection in their child's achievements. In short, the book successfully imparts an attitude of acceptance, moderation and realistic expectations, to prevent and/or manage parental stress and 'ego wounds."

Pavel Somov, Ph.D.
Author of "Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time" (New Harbinger, 2008)
www.eatingthemoment.com

Dads have worries too, even though often they are not as vocalized as the new mom. This book is written by a father for fathers and takes away some of the worry, offers perspective, and reassures the new father that everything will be fine. This is one of the best things I recieved as an expecting father. Well written, great insights.

It wasn't exactly what I was looking for in a book for dads, but is still funny and has tidbits of good advice. It's a little "fluffy" in the way it approaches the subjects (each page has a topic couched in humorous references to Zen that'll make you chuckle), but doesn't expand on anything too much. So, if you're looking for lots of detailed information and theory this sure isn't it, but if you're looking for a good book written in a tone that guys will like that you can just take 5 minutes at a time on, this is great. My wife and I read it on a road trip and I keep it in the bathroom, and that's about the best way to enjoy it, I think.

Admittedly I only scanned this book in the store but frankly, the author lost me when I read:
the reason babies are nocturnal is because the night nursing staff has more time to play with baby and therefore they associate night with play.

Come on are you serious? Babies are more likely confused because they are rocked to sleep while mom moves around during her day and then when she settles down at night baby no longer lulled by the movement and wakes up to play.