Christian New Dad

[patjhynes]

Hi. Just four months ago my wife and I had our first. Little Rose Marie is gorgeous and wonderful. Been reading a lot of Christian magazines to get info on how to be a good parent.

But are their any good books out there anyone would recommend?

Just trying to be the best dad I can be!

 

[andiesmama]

The one book that was a major lifesaver for me was: What to Expect in the First Year.

Did your wife have "What to Expect When You're Expecting?"....if she did, and if she liked it, then she'll (and you) will love this one....

It goes month-by-month up to age 12 months of the milestones your baby should be doing, what to expect at the doctor's visits, questions from parents, plus chapters on feeding, bathing, immunizations....gosh, pretty much anything you would have questions on!

Congratulations...and welcome to CF!!

 

[patjhynes]

Thanks for the welcome. We read what to expect when you're expecting and it was helpful. So I will get that book you mentions. Thanks!

 

[andiesmama]

"What to obsess about when you're expecting" lol.. and I truly understand why.

hehehe....that's funny!! Because that was totally ME!!! (not that I can't find enough things to obsess about daily, pregnancy was just one more fun thing to add to the list!!)

My mother wants to send me the next book, What to expect in the first year, and now I'm very reluctant.

I guess with those of us who can obsess easily, it may not be a great choice...in the first year I did find myself religiously reading each month & comparing with Andie...then I started skipping those parts (when my pediatrician kept assuring me she was FINE FINE FINE!!! )....but immunization reactions, immunization schedules, how to bathe, how to feed, teething info...that stuff really did help me.

My midwife says there are a lot better books out there than these two books.. luckily they have a small library of them at my midwifery group

That's probably a good idea....especially since you're going with a midwife, she can steer you in the direction of some really good reference materials.

{"Reference materials"???? Talking about a baby??? Sheesh....whatever did the pioneers do without REFERENCE MATERIALS???? (I'm an idiot, never mind!)}

I also signed up online with (I think) babycenter.com....they have a month-by-month thing that goes along with your baby's age (Melissa posts it sometimes on the WD)....I liked that alot, & I still subscribe to the toddler one now for Andie.

 

[patjhynes]

Now that you mention it, my wife Michelle did get very stresses and worried about things when she was pregnant. Maybe it was that darn book!

 

[jenelis]

Congrats on the baby! I'm sure there's lots of great books... but I can't beleive that you have time to read! I had one of those books that gave you stages and told you what to expect and that's all I used.

Mostly, I'd recommend common sense!

 

[Zoomer]

Congrats on the new baby.



I would suggest going to the library and just browsing the baby care section.
You can also read on the internet. There are plenty of good parenting sites, with what to expect with a new baby, advice, and support.

 

[mamaneenie]

Personally the Bible and the Holy Spirit is the best resource for Christian parenting. lol. The books are great but I find i get more information about it with speaking with other Christian families who have kids older than mine (I have a 3 yo boy) and asking them how they did stuff.

 

[patjhynes]

Thanks. You are right that I have no time to read, though. Sheesh. I've read about 5 pages since Rose was born!

 

[Redguard]

Take it from another father...

Forget the books. They'll make no difference in the kind of father you'll be.

Wanna be a good dad? First thing you need to do is HELP. Bonus points if you can do it before being asked.

Offer to change diapers.
Offer to change clothes.
Offer to give bath.
Be the first to get up when the baby cries and don't pretend to sleep.
Offer to warm bottles when feeding time comes around.

Now, depending on the wife you have, this could possibly get you points. Alternatively, it could get you nothing as this may be your wife's "minimum" expectations of you. If you miss just "ONE" of the above mentioned recommendations, she'll ding you good.

So good luck and congrats on the new baby.

 

[alaskamolly]

Vision Forum is a really great ministry--they have a web site ( do a search for it--I can't remember if it's a .com or a .net at the moment) and sign up for their catalogs (AWESOME catalogs!). My husband and my brother have really enjoyed some of their teaching tapes and cd's (and their catalogs are simply to drool for).

Blessings,
Molly

 

[andiesmama]

Offer to change diapers.
Offer to change clothes.
Offer to give bath.
Be the first to get up when the baby cries and don't pretend to sleep.
Offer to warm bottles when feeding time comes around.

I take back all my recommendations....this is awesome!!

 

[Leanna]

What to Expect the First year doesn't have anything for you to worry about....

 

[Leanna]

.

 

[sammipher]

Recommend for mommy: What to expect the first year...I love the "what to expect" books...they are very informative to me...except for one thing I read in there...about not going to the mountains when your pregnant cause of the change in air...my OBGYN did not agree with this, he seen no harm in taking a trip to the moutains..as long as I wasnt planning on mountain climbing..lol.
Recommend for daddy per my husband: A fathers reward...he says this is an awesome book...I got it for him about a month ago at a local church thrift shop.

 

[mojorising]

We have, "what to expect when you're expecting" too... I tip...Get plenty of film!

Our son just turned 6 months on Tuesday!

mojo