If you grew up without a father figure, you may be concerned whether you have what it takes to be a great dad. Author Kendall Smith, son of a single mother, takes you under his wing, sharing the wisdom he has gathered from his own experience as a father, from observing other dads, and from interviewing various generations of men. This playbook for fathers who, like Smith, did not have a regular and dependable father figure is packed with short lessons to answer questions new dads will face, from choosing your parenting style to what it means to really be the “man of the house” (spoiler alert: it’s not the 1950s) to managing your expectations as your child grows into a unique person. With hilarious examples and a straightforward approach, Rookie Father is the mentor-in-a-book every new father needs to be the dad you want to be.

When I found out my wife, Christine, was pregnant, I had no idea what I was thinking or feeling, and no clue what I should be thinking or feeling. Christine had daily heart-to-hearts with her girlfriends and a stack of parenting books by her bed. I had lots of questions with no answers. So I started writing. It was either that, or try to ignore the whole thing – a choice that became increasingly difficult as Christine’s belly became increasingly swollen.Rookie Dad is the story of a young husband and father learning how to pay attention to his family’s changing size and shape. It’s a story filled with hard questions, with laughter and tears, and with the unexpected joy of first-time fatherhood. It’s my story – the story of how I became a dad.

FUN AND EASY EXERCISES AND GAMES FOR DADS AND BABIES IN THEIR FIRST YEAR.

Let's get ready to rumble! Dads discover that the rules of the parenting game change completely after their baby moves into the wonderful and totally physical toddler world of discovery and learning. How can you be a hands-on dad and play a vital role in your one-to-three-year-old's development? With the fun exercises and activities for dads and kids in Rookie Dad Tackles the Toddler! Working out in the Brain Gym, kids grasp colors, sizes, and shapes Kid Talk pumps up language and listening skills Cool down tantrums and meltdowns by stepping Out of Bounds Learn the ABCs of eating like a champion with Peak Performance Even the busiest father can make bedtime or getting dressed child's play with these simple, interactive games. Go for the gold with your toddlers -- and enjoy the prize of having happier, healthier, more capable children who strive for big things -- thanks to you, their hero.

Charts the whole course,from the treacherous negotiations about whether to have kids and the ardent attempts at conception to planning for the event, navigating the hospital experience, and bringing your baby home.

Bragging rights and bumper stickers are some of the social forces fueling today’s parenting behavior—and, as a result, even well-intentioned parents are behaving badly. Many parents don’t know how best to support their teens, especially when everyone around them seems to be frantically tutoring, managing, and helicoptering. The Parent Compass provides guidance on what parents’ roles should be in supporting their teens’ mental health as they traverse the maze of the adolescent years. For anyone daunted by the unique challenge of parenting well in this pressure-laden and uncertain era, The Parent Compass offers: Advice on fostering grit and resilience in your teen Strategies to help your teen approach life with purpose Guidance on how to preserve your relationship with your teen while navigating a competitive academic environment Clear explanations of your appropriate role in the college admission process Effective ways to approach technology use in your home, and much more! Using The Parent Compass to navigate the adolescent years will help you parent with confidence and intention, allowing you to forge a trusting, positive relationship with your teen.

Perhaps the most powerful influence in the world is that of a dad on his child. Baseball gloves, dirty diapers, tiny little hands, first days of school, daddy-daughter dances, and learner's permits... and so much more! There's no way you can be ready for it all, but this is when you need to get a bit of a head start... First Time Dad by Focus on the Family ministry veteran (and father of 6) John Fuller lets you in on the stuff you really need to know... because in just a few months or weeks or days, your life is going to change--forever. Set good priorities. Break bad habits and/or family patterns. Recognize and recover from some common fathering mistakes. Know that your words have immense power. And learn how to cultivate a lasting parent-child relationship. So, instead of wondering "oh man, oh man, oh man... what am I going to do now?" for 9 months... read this short book (plus it's pretty fun too) and get excited! "Dad, your job is critical... And you can do it."