Introduction

The expression ‘useless as a chocolate teacup’ comes to mind when describing what many fathers in the past felt about their involvement during labour and when caring for newborns and children. Fathers historically have taken a passive role during pregnancy, going about their lives mostly as normal (and wondering what the rules are about pregnancy and intimacy). They’ve offered a shoulder rub to their partner during childbirth. And when it came to looking after babies and children, history is replete with examples of men avoiding the multiple night-time wakings, feigning strategic incompetence when nappies needed changing, and focusing only on disciplining older children when home from work.

But that was then. These days, an increasing number of guys now want a piece of the baby and child-rearing action, and are rolling up their sleeves to muck in with everything that needs doing — from active involvement in labour to nappy changes and all the fun of toddlers and children as they grow and develop.

The number of stay-at-home dads (SAHDs) is rising in almost all developed countries — a sure sign that the parenting world is changing and that staying home looking after the kids is no longer a reason to hand in your man card. In fact, SAHDs are leading the way for all other dads to show the world how brilliant dads can be at looking after babies and children.

Parental leave in workplaces is changing too. Corporations are recognising that not just mum needs time off when a baby is born, or may need more flexible working options as that baby and child grows older. The organisational trend is towards parental leave for fathers so they can support their partner, bond with their baby, and savour the precious early moments of parenting. And parental leave for dads is happening more and more, even in sectors where the alpha male and his over-the-top commitment to the company have historically dominated. (I’m looking at you, financial sector.)

Moreover, many nations, particularly Holland, Sweden and Finland, actively encourage parents to work a four-day week. Time with family is prized and honoured. Government policy encourages it, and for good reason.

Countless studies by fatherhood institutes around the world show strong scientific evidence for the positive difference a dad makes in the lives of his children. Unfortunately, many of the challenges and difficulties our children experience are linked to absent, uninvolved or unsafe fathers. And while it’s true that children raised by single mums can — and do — thrive (because their mothers are phenomenal), there is little doubt that fathers count. In comparison to children raised without the positive presence of a dad in their lives, kids raised by a positive, active, involved and safe dad have an increased likelihood of doing better at self-regulation, delayed gratification, emotional management, social relationships, academic achievement, avoiding unsafe, unhealthy behaviours as teens — the list goes on. Oh yeah, and they’re happier and more satisfied with life. Measurably.

The journey of being a dad starts way back at the very beginning, even before conception. It starts with the way you love your partner, the mum of your soon-to-be child. The great news is that more dads are keen to be a positive, active, involved member of the family, and society’s conditions are ripe for helping us make it happen.

About This Book

With Being a Great Dad For Dummies, 2nd edition, I’m doing my bit to help every new dad or dad-to-be start (and continue) his journey to healthy, safe, active fatherhood. In this book, I focus specifically on pregnancy, birth, and raising your child from a male perspective. The great news is being a healthy, safe, active dad isn’t difficult. Dads can do everything mums do except giving birth and breastfeeding. So if you’re worried about becoming a dad, relax, read on and know that everyday blokes make fantastic dads.

I’m thrilled to be able to serve as your guide to dadhood. Since 2012, my organisation — Dr Justin Coulson’s Happy Families — has developed into one of the most recognised organisations promoting, well, happy families — and involved fatherhood — in Australia and New Zealand. In Being a Great Dad For Dummies, I share what the very best science has taught us about how you can be involved in your children’s lives for better — and how doing so can build a happier life for your child, and for you.

I’ve spent years talking to hundreds of thousands of parents about this stuff. And I’ve also had plenty of practice. My wife and I have six of our own kids, so I’ve got the miles in the legs. I’m race fit and ready to share the research and the practice to make this gig hum for you. And what all of this means is that you can find all you need to know in one place (this book), and don’t need to waste time reading lots of leaflets or browsing through hundreds of websites trying to get reliable and practical information from a male perspective. I’ve packed these pages with plenty of useful information so you can become the best father you can be.

So, why this book? The reasons include the following:

• The Baby Boomer (1950s) approach to having children cast a long shadow into the way we approach modern parenting, but things have changed. Modern dads want to be involved and they want to find out for themselves what they need to know to look after a newborn baby.
• Your kids, your family and our world need strong dads. Fathers have been somewhat absent from childcare and upbringing due to work, family situation or a limited understanding of the role of a father. It’s about time we changed that.
• You may find even approaching the topic of pregnancy, babies and parenting hard.
• You may be missing out on the best moments of your life if you feel you don’t know what to do with babies and children.
• You have everything you need to be a fantastic dad, but you just don’t know it yet. Or perhaps you lack a bit of confidence to demonstrate your dad skills. This book will help.
• Your child and partner are likely to really appreciate all the cool things you know and are able to do when you’ve read this book.
• By being a positive, healthy, active dad right from the beginning, you make the most significant contribution to your child’s life you could ever make — it beats any expensive present, university savings account or inheritance fund your child may receive.

Although I hope you read every word I’ve written, I understand your life is busy and you want to read only the need-to-know info. You can safely skip the sidebars, which are shaded grey boxes containing text. These provide supporting or entertaining information that isn’t critical to your understanding of the topic.

Throughout this book, I also give you the website addresses of a number of dedicated parenting or fatherhood sites where you can find more information on some of the topics I discuss, such as buying sensible baby gear and toys, parenting styles, effective behaviour management, illnesses and special conditions, childcare and child education. Although you don’t have to go to these websites, having a browse through them is well worth your while.

Foolish Assumptions

I assume that you’re reading this book because you’ve just been told that you’re going to be a dad soon or you’ve decided it’s about time you became one. You may also have been told by your partner to ‘skill up’ and read about pregnancy and parenting so she doesn’t have to do all the work around the baby. Good — because you don’t want that anyway. Today’s dads can do everything that mums do except giving birth and breastfeeding.

I assume you’re somewhat puzzled by the prospects of becoming a dad and would like an easy and comprehensive guide. This book is for you if you’re

• Freaked out about becoming a dad
• Concerned about your lack of knowledge and experience around all things babies and children
• Three months into your partner’s pregnancy and feel like it’s all getting a bit too complicated
• Looking for an alternative to being told everything you need to know about babies by your partner
• On your way to the delivery suite and have missed all the ante-natal classes

I also assume you haven’t had much exposure to or experience with pregnant women, newborn babies and children up to now.

Icons Used in This Book

Icons are those little pictures you see sprinkled in the margins throughout this book. Here’s what they mean:

The internet is a wonderful place to access information on being a great dad. This icon highlights some helpful sites for you to check out.

This icon denotes critical information that you really need to take away with you. Considering the state of my own overcrowded memories, I wouldn’t ask you to remember anything unless the information was really important.

This icon alerts you to on-target advice, insights or recommendations that I’ve picked up over the years.

This icon serves as a warning, telling you to avoid something that’s potentially harmful. Take heed!

Where to Go from Here

You choose what happens next. This book is packed with information to help you at whatever state or stage...