The New Dad's Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers [Paperback]

Scott Mactavish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2005

FATHERHOOD DEMYSTIFIED! Finally-a manual for new dads that deciphers the immensely confusing world of fatherhood and gives crucial tips and advice from a man's point of view. No psychobabble, no warm fuzzies-just a hilarious (and surprisingly practical) military-style guide to surviving and thriving through even the queasiest moments of pregnancy, birth, and babyhood. Seasoned father and master infant-tamer Scott Mactavish breaks the Baby Code down and lays it out in straight-up guyspeak. The New Dad's Survival Guide includes declassified information on such topics as: * Cutting the Cord: The Moment of Truth * Feeding and Cleaning the NFU (New Family Unit) * Surviving Sleep Deprivation * Relieving Stress Without Booze * The Great Boob Irony * Pee, Poo, Hurl, and Snot: Getting Used to the Bodily Functions * Critical Survival Tips Never Before Revealed * Sex: Let the Games Begin Again...Finally * Dozens of Essential Terms Defined, Including Binky, Onesie, Diaper Genie, Passy, and Sippy Cup GRAB YOUR BOOTS AND STRAP ON YOUR HELMET! THE BABIES ARE COMING!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mactavish presents a useful-though by no means comprehensive-guide for any dad-to-be who doesn't care about details and just wants to learn what's going to happen when his partner gives birth and how he should go about changing a diaper. The author is no doctor; he's "just a dude who's been through it twice," and his lingo-"BCF" means "be cool, fool" (borrowed from Mr. T.); "FPP" is your "female parenting partner"; an "NFU" is a "new family unit"-is appropriately casual. The book covers the most basic of parenting skills from birth through three months, with a few toddler tips thrown in. It's humorous (or insensitive, depending on one's point of view) in its approach. For example, on postpartum depression, Mactavish warns "PPD is a beaucoup serious condition that can have a devastating effect on the FPP." Although most of the book's advice seems quite obvious, tips on assisting a partner in labor ("offer backrubs on a consistent basis"), helping a baby pass gas (or "dislodge an air biscuit") and preventing diaper rash ("keep the butt dry after bathing") will be of use to any new father.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (January 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316159956
• ISBN-13: 978-0316159951
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Fatherhood

More About the Author

Scott is an author, filmmaker and occasional journalist.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book-but it's humor not a definitive guide, February 13, 2007

By 

BHoP (Balto, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Dad's Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers (Paperback)

This is a quick funny read; perfect for the new dad with little time. Mr. Mactavish has done an outstanding job of conveying the feelings and fears of new dads from personal experience. The book,however, is meant to 1)reassure the new dad that we've all been there and 2) give insights into certain events that are yet to come (Particularly liked the circumcision description-OUCH!). Take the negative comments about this book with a grain of salt. It's humor, not a guide on new parenting. Highly recommended.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC HELPER FOR DADS, February 19, 2007

By 

Eric "Info Hound" (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Dad's Survival Guide : Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers (Paperback)

I've gone through a number of these types of books and this one is by far the best one out there. The author keeps it light, at the same time conveying what's really important to the new dad with honesty and a brutal sense of humor. It makes the new dad feel like he has some company in this new and alien experience of having kids. After reading it, I recommended it to all my buddies whoare in the same boat. It truly takes the edge off of first time fatherhood. Nice job!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Father's Role, January 5, 2009

By 

Marvin Ross "author of Schizophrenia Medicine... (Dundas, Ont, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Dad's Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers (Paperback)

I find it very heartening that more and more fathers are taking an interest in parenting. When my wife became pregnant in the late 1970's, it was very rare for fathers to be involved and it was discouraged by many obstetricians. I was only allowed into the birth room at the very last moment and kept well away from the "action". My own involvement resulted in doing two books on fathers (long out of print and now irrelevant).

However, it is quite encouraging to see the extent to which men are embracing fatherhood and are becoming so active in the entire process. The more books on the topic the better and this book does fill a need and does so with humor. Some of the advice like how to prepare formula on page 61, however, is pretty standard fare though and the book is limited in only dealing with the period of birth through the first three months.

I personally found the newer book The Dysfunctional Father's Guide to Pregnancy Birth and Babies to be much more amusing and realistic. It deals with the period from planning to get pregnant to the first birthday. I loved the illustrations

Marvin Ross