Commando Dad: Basic Training: How to be an Elite Dad or Carer. From Birth to Three Years

This is a partial review. I say that as the baby is not yet here and I can't actually say how effective this advice is as yet. Theory is all very well, but as Napoleon said - "no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy". that's probably something Commando Dad would also say come to think of it, and overall this book isn't prescriptive. It sets out the basics clearly and acknowledges that every parent's experience will vary. That lack of ideology is refreshing, as is the tone. Yes, speaking in the drill instructor tone is a gimmick, but it's a good one as it makes it clear that child care is man's work too. It's all about being practical, staying calm and getting a hard job done. I've seen other men's guides before that take a overly jokey, blokey tone and that seems to hit a false note. Here, the military device at least encourages a serious approach to caring for baby, while the author stays firmly tongue in cheek about his own persona (and after all who wants to get a lecture from a know it all?) I think this tone also comes across as very refreshing pre-birth as all the other books in the house are pink and pastel toned volumes aimed at women and with only the odd chapter or two for the men (often patronisingly suggesting we help out with the hoovering or maybe try cooking the odd meal). Expecting a baby can be alienating enough for dads without being ghettoised into the footnotes, so this book is spot on. Content wise, it's very logically set out into daily tasks and life events - explaining what you'll need in terms of equipment (v helpful lists for pre-birth shopping) and what steps you should follow. The detail is good but not overwhelming and the writing crystal clear (another handy take-away from the military hand book style). A small point, but what also jumps out is the design - it's a very cool looking book with cool cartoon/diagram style illustrations. I reckon it'd make a great iPad app given the shelf life will only last a few years of a child's early life but that would miss out on the quality of the print and styling which makes it a nice object to own hard copy.

Absolutely brilliant! With 2 weeks till D-Date suddenly realised neither myself or partner had read any books, attended classes etc due to lockdown and panic mode was settling in. Dad review: Book is read after less than a day and is. Full of helpful easy to read and find information and tips that have helped me understand not only my own role in raising newborns but also mums role too. It's funny with loads of good tips and anecdotes / phrases that make the whole thing seem less daunting. Mum review: Dad pretty much read the whole book out loud to me because there was so much in there he didn't know, not being able to attend appointments with me due to Restrictions he missed out on a lot of basic information from hospital ads / midwifes / consultant etc, not only that he has no other 'dads' around telling him these things where as I have a couple of mum friends already. I actually prefer the way the advise and guidance is laid out in this book, compared to a different parenting book written from a mums point of. View (the mum books tend to be overly touchy/sensative and full of pointless 'life stories' where as this gets the point quickly very with only short and sweet life comparisons from the dad who wrote it. 100% buy this for your boyfriend / fiance / husband even yourself when you're expecting!

The author - with a career in the military as well as childcare - has created a succinct and well structured guide for the newly minted father here. Unlike some more encyclopaedic volumes the book is relatively short, easy to browse and understand and covers most of the early questions a parent might have. Everything from preparing the home for the new born (and subsequently for the mobile toddler), to nappies, toilet training, feeding, mobility, play, etc. is covered in easy to digest chapters, with highlighted tips, do's and dont's, quick summaries and further resources, should one wish to explore a subject in more detail. The advice is common sense first and foremost but also cross checked with other child care specialists, so as to ensure validity and compliance to the current body of knowledge on parenting at the time of writing. The whole book is designed around military inspired terminology, probably in order to sell it to those considering themselves 'manly men', who would traditionally find child care incompatible with their pre-defined gender roles. Be that as it may, the language may attract some but is also not so detrimental to the content in case you do not subscribe to the military tradition world view. Overall I found the guide quite useful and think that most dads should find the time and make the effort to read something of the sort in the final pregnancy weeks. On top of that it is easy enough to browse later, when specific details need to be re-checked. Not only will it calm your significant other to demonstrate a basic level of (theoretical) competence, it will also let you approach the subject of parenting in a slightly more relaxed manner, something everyone can only benefit from.

No nonsense guide book to the basics. Really like how it's kept succinct and easy to read. Lots of bullet points and lists.

This...book...is...essential. Get it, read it, absorb it and apply it to your life. A MUST read for any father (or mother for that matter) to be.

Leí la recomendación y me ha servido además para seguir aprendiendo inglés. Se lo he regalado a dos amigos mios.

Bought this book for my husband but reading it quickly before I give it to him. What a great, lighthearted, focused and fun read. Def helpful in prep for a baby and nice to have it from a mans perspective (as we woman do tend to over plan, analyse and buy). Its set out clearly and very efficient. I love the fact that it has check lists to take you through what you need to do. Makes me feel like im on or off schedule without the panic!

Very good book and efficient book to be ready for birth and very easy to understand for non-native english speaker.