4.42

5

Jul 24, 2011

I got a lot of these pregnancy/new dad books as gifts as we prepared for our first child. I found most of these books to be very condescending. The humor to keep us turning the pages would revolve around booze, strippers, and bodily functions. As if this was the only way to keep our attention. (While one or two such jokes are funny, like an Adam Sandler movie, after so-many in a short time, it just is not funny anymore.) Be Prepared, however, is set up and presented differently. There is some of I got a lot of these pregnancy/new dad books as gifts as we prepared for our first child. I found most of these books to be very condescending. The humor to keep us turning the pages would revolve around booze, strippers, and bodily functions. As if this was the only way to keep our attention. (While one or two such jokes are funny, like an Adam Sandler movie, after so-many in a short time, it just is not funny anymore.) Be Prepared, however, is set up and presented differently. There is some of this type of humor, but for the most part it is light-hearted humor. It is set up like a Boy Scout handbook - with sketch drawings vs. pictures and illustrates practicality and function with a twist of fun. Some of the advice is a little over the top - but it knows that as a guy you would just love to try some of them if only your wife would let you. (Dirty diaper pails outside the window to practice your hook shots out the window comes to mind.) This book focuses primarily around birth and beyond, focusing on differing times based on development of your baby. I have caught my wife using this book, laughing and saying "We have to try this!" ...more

4

Apr 29, 2018

At times hilarious and, I must assume, imminently useful (my baby’s due in August). This book’s comprehensive, chronological rundown of what to expect from your first-year baby soothes and empowers. Also to like: its waterproof cover.

4

Mar 27, 2018

This was a great balance between humor and real information. Now I know I shouldn't hold a baby by palming their had like a basketball!

5

Mar 24, 2019

I feel totally ready to be a dad now that I’ve read this book. Entertaining the whole way through, I kept bringing it out anytime the family was around to show them the awesome/funny stuff in it. Full of awesome life hacks for the first 12 months of your baby’s life, from birth to first birthday.

Enjoy!

5

Jul 08, 2019

Was meant as a gag gift, but it actually turned out to be quite helpful. Only time will tell, but this book teaches you, in a humorous way, all that you might need to know from the moment you take your first baby home and on throughout the first year.

Definitely recommend for those new dads out there who want a lighthearted but helpful read on how to take care of a newborn.

2

Sep 19, 2019

Ask me in a year how useful it actually is. For now: got super tired of it's highly gendered presumptions about me and my wife.

5

May 09, 2013

I gave this book to my husband as a stocking stuffer--only partly as a joke. Turns out, this book is hilarious and informative. He read it cover to cover on a plane ride and still mentions things from it from time to time. Loved it!

2

Aug 26, 2019

Some interesting tips littered here and there, but fitted alongside some bizarrely misogynistic musings and one too many failed jokes. And not the good dad joke kind.

3

Dec 31, 2014

Cute book, although some of the advice was suspect. Actual rating 3.5 stars.

4

Jun 07, 2016

My favorite handbook for new dads. You won't get insight into the latest expert opinion of raising kids, but it does teach you how to change diapers at a major sporting event. Knowledge is power.

4

Nov 10, 2015

A great book for dads to be. Funny, useful and smart. A big change from "Dude, you are going to be dad". This one is actualy for men who want to take care of their kid and not just avoid nagging.
Very recommended.

5

Aug 19, 2010

It is quite possible that this is THE BEST new dad book that I have come across for husbands... especially if they are handymen who watched MacGyver when they were little :) A lot of humor, information and really great pointers that I never thought of/considered.

5

Feb 18, 2008

I gave this book to my husband when we were anticipating the adoption of our first child, and while he read parts of it (way more than he read of any other baby/parenting book), I read it front to back and found it actually quite helpful. If you have a new dad in your life who wants to read a baby book but doesn't know where to start, this is a man's man look at the arrival of Baby. Humorously written yet with sound advice.

5

Mar 16, 2008

This book was recommended to us by another set of first-time parents, and we were not disappointed.

It's written with a great sense of humor, while providing lots of useful information. It's easy and fun to read, versus some of the other more 'dry' parenting books.

Plus, it's got some great ideas of games parents can play with their babies. And, even some money saving tips, such making your own bath toys - versus spending money on ones from the store.

We're expecting our first child, and this book
This book was recommended to us by another set of first-time parents, and we were not disappointed.

It's written with a great sense of humor, while providing lots of useful information. It's easy and fun to read, versus some of the other more 'dry' parenting books.

Plus, it's got some great ideas of games parents can play with their babies. And, even some money saving tips, such making your own bath toys - versus spending money on ones from the store.

We're expecting our first child, and this book was definitely worth reading. ...more

4

Apr 27, 2012

If McGyver was a pediatrician this is the book he'd write.

'Be Prepared' is written like an instruction guide for clueless new dads, a demographic I just joined. It's written just an product manual. The book is loaded with creative ninja-like tips for managing your baby. Guys will appreciate the step-by-step procedures and problem solving format. I did a rapid skim in an evening and then revisited chapters in more detail as my baby has reached different milestones.

The author's cheesy humor and If McGyver was a pediatrician this is the book he'd write.

'Be Prepared' is written like an instruction guide for clueless new dads, a demographic I just joined. It's written just an product manual. The book is loaded with creative ninja-like tips for managing your baby. Guys will appreciate the step-by-step procedures and problem solving format. I did a rapid skim in an evening and then revisited chapters in more detail as my baby has reached different milestones.

The author's cheesy humor and the silly illustrations quickly get old, but there's enough useful information to make this book a useful edition to any new dad's reading arsenal. ...more

2

Apr 28, 2018

The book is somewhat out of date, and doesn’t really cover topics in enough depth to be used as a standalone. It’s humor makes it readable.

It would make a good gift for someone who is thinking of becoming a parent, or just found out they will be one. But honestly they may appreciate a more in-depth book that covers topics in a more precise manner.

Topics are quite out of date. For example, how to clean out a VCR. Who uses VCRs nowadays? Last I used them was as a kid myself, not when I’m having The book is somewhat out of date, and doesn’t really cover topics in enough depth to be used as a standalone. It’s humor makes it readable.

It would make a good gift for someone who is thinking of becoming a parent, or just found out they will be one. But honestly they may appreciate a more in-depth book that covers topics in a more precise manner.

Topics are quite out of date. For example, how to clean out a VCR. Who uses VCRs nowadays? Last I used them was as a kid myself, not when I’m having my own kids... They should update the information with slightly more relevant information, at the very least DVD players.

The book also assumes that every dad is the typical “70’s idealistic male”: sports obsessed, loves camping (and likely to come in contact with bears) and so forth. As for the camping suggestions on how to avoid bears... it would be more prudent to explain how to deal with potentially eaten poisonous berries/leaves or bitten by poisonous animals. ...more

5

Jul 05, 2019

I received this book as a gift from my boss, and it was exactly the type of parenting book I was trying to find. It’s basically a how-to guide for how to take care of your baby. (And people say they don’t come with instructions!) It’s geared toward men, but I found it super helpful. It goes through so many different situations with your baby and gives your steps or tips on how to take care of them. For example, it has step by step instructions with pictures on how to change a diaper, pictures of I received this book as a gift from my boss, and it was exactly the type of parenting book I was trying to find. It’s basically a how-to guide for how to take care of your baby. (And people say they don’t come with instructions!) It’s geared toward men, but I found it super helpful. It goes through so many different situations with your baby and gives your steps or tips on how to take care of them. For example, it has step by step instructions with pictures on how to change a diaper, pictures of positions to burp your baby, how to baby-proof your home, etc. And it’s all written in an easy-to-read enjoyable format. The only downside is that I realize when I’m in the midst of trying to figure something out, I forget to go see what the book says, but it has a lot of good tips if I would refer to it. ...more

3

Oct 09, 2017

This offers more levity, irreverence and pragmatism than a typical "what to expect, the miracle of childbirth" type of book. Wish I had discovered this before hosting a family reunion with a 10 month old niece-- who knew she would have only just exited "treat your 0-6 month old like a vampire" phase and could only just start wearing "baby-safe" sunscreen? The 1950's wholesomely satirical images and asides conjure the Fallout franchise and left me appreciating how apocalyptic a journey infancy This offers more levity, irreverence and pragmatism than a typical "what to expect, the miracle of childbirth" type of book. Wish I had discovered this before hosting a family reunion with a 10 month old niece-- who knew she would have only just exited "treat your 0-6 month old like a vampire" phase and could only just start wearing "baby-safe" sunscreen? The 1950's wholesomely satirical images and asides conjure the Fallout franchise and left me appreciating how apocalyptic a journey infancy can be for formerly childless friends and family members.

Even though this is an easy read, it is unclear when a new dad (or parent) in the trenches would find time to study this or why he would do so above showering, sleeping, etc. Probably best to review before delivery. ...more

5

Jul 18, 2018

I found this book to be the perfect thing to read during my wife's 3rd trimester. I had read some pregnancy books and that was very educational, but there was nothing about what happens as soon as you have a new little person to take care of. I was terrified of what would happen at that point... what do you do?! The book does a good job of telling you the basics of what you NEED to know, and it does it in a funny and easy to read way.

The only negative I sort of noticed was that some of the I found this book to be the perfect thing to read during my wife's 3rd trimester. I had read some pregnancy books and that was very educational, but there was nothing about what happens as soon as you have a new little person to take care of. I was terrified of what would happen at that point... what do you do?! The book does a good job of telling you the basics of what you NEED to know, and it does it in a funny and easy to read way.

The only negative I sort of noticed was that some of the references were a bit dated, not many people have any VHS tapes any more, let alone spare ones for the baby to play with.

I'm really happy that I bought this, I'm still terrified, but slightly more confident that it will all work out fine! ...more

5

Mar 21, 2018

If you've seen the clues scattered about the web, you'd surmise that I am inbound to fatherhood. The panic settles further in as every grain of this 9-month anticipation becomes a boulder of immense burden.

No one is really ever ready, are they? At least reading this book, I can be unprepared with blind confidence. "Behold, baby, as I lather you in a bottle of sunscreen, affix this multi-eared hat to your soft scalp and strap you onto my concaving back. We are PREPARED for this sun-soaked If you've seen the clues scattered about the web, you'd surmise that I am inbound to fatherhood. The panic settles further in as every grain of this 9-month anticipation becomes a boulder of immense burden.

No one is really ever ready, are they? At least reading this book, I can be unprepared with blind confidence. "Behold, baby, as I lather you in a bottle of sunscreen, affix this multi-eared hat to your soft scalp and strap you onto my concaving back. We are PREPARED for this sun-soaked stroll."

I assembled a crib, a dresser and a light fixture. That's all I can do, while my wife harbors an unknown ball of dependency in her own belly. But do not be fooled - the man still has his role to play. And even as a helpless support, I'll have to embrace it. ...more

5

Nov 02, 2018

Be Prepared is pretty self explanatory but it's a baby book outlining the first year of the baby's life and tips for dads along the way. Though it's geared for dads, it is by far one of the best baby books I've read. In fact, I think that because it's written for dads it's a lot less precious, which I think makes it better. It's very easily read (I finished it in a little over a day); it's funny, and it has pictures, which is always great, especially as a visual person. I would highly recommend Be Prepared is pretty self explanatory but it's a baby book outlining the first year of the baby's life and tips for dads along the way. Though it's geared for dads, it is by far one of the best baby books I've read. In fact, I think that because it's written for dads it's a lot less precious, which I think makes it better. It's very easily read (I finished it in a little over a day); it's funny, and it has pictures, which is always great, especially as a visual person. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a baby book and especially if you're not into the other typical baby books. ...more

4

May 26, 2019

My wife's due date is in just a few weeks and this book definitely helped me feel more prepared! Very practical and chuckle-inducing, this was an enlightening and enjoyable read. Amazing illustrations! I read it straight through, and admittedly found it difficult to connect with the sections on the older ages, but I'm sure I'll be referencing it when the time comes. A little outdated in terms of electronic references, but all in all a winner!

5

Jul 24, 2017

Not the most in-depth book, but is a quick read, entertaining, and really helped to get me up-to-speed on learning some fatherly things. I even learned a few facts my wife didn't get from her reading of multiple lengthy books.

As a side note, it does a really good of including illustrations of every race, and seems to alternate the gender of the baby pronoun (he or she) with each chapter in order to be maximally inclusive.

3

Feb 15, 2019

This is a great read for a first time dad, and the perfect analog to the women's staple "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Although I started this book well after my son was born (approx. 5 months), I still found the material helpful, informative, and pleasantly entertaining. Some of the references are a bit dated (VCRs, Sports Illustrated in print, etc.), but the basis of the various dad hacks are still relate-able and welcome advice when a father is at loss for how to "fix" baby problems. This is a great read for a first time dad, and the perfect analog to the women's staple "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Although I started this book well after my son was born (approx. 5 months), I still found the material helpful, informative, and pleasantly entertaining. Some of the references are a bit dated (VCRs, Sports Illustrated in print, etc.), but the basis of the various dad hacks are still relate-able and welcome advice when a father is at loss for how to "fix" baby problems. I highly recommend this title to all "father's to be" who should ALWAYS do their homework before their progeny arrives. ...more

3

Sep 05, 2017

I enjoyed this book as I was preparing for fatherhood. It's a little hokey, but there are all sorts of tidbits of information that are broken down into bite-sized pieces. There's a lot of information about developmental milestones, and there are a lot of pictures. In some ways, it feels like an adult nonfiction picture-book.