"If you hear the toilet flush followed by 'Oh, Oh,' you are already too late."
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Holy Crap, I'm a Dad! by Fredrick Smysniuk Trafford Publishing
book review by J. A. Garcia
As a father of three and self-described "working stiff like you," Smysniuk offers a brief, no-nonsense guide to parenting intended for new fathers. This slim volume opens with the uncertainties of pregnancy, labor, and delivery based on the obstacles and follies Smysniuk encountered firsthand, including making the unwise choice to stop for coffee and doughnuts on the way to the hospital for the delivery of his firstborn. Smysniuk goes on to provide useful tips following labor and delivery, reminding dads to "offer lots of support and encouragement to your wife," while ensuring the newborn's safety on the way home. Subsequent chapters explore babies' rapid development, including the safety concerns of a newly mobile toddler, various approaches to discipline, and snapshots of concerns common during ages two through five. The final chapter, "Things to Make You Think," offers a humorous list of aphorisms reminding fathers to maintain a sense of humor above all things during the unpredictable early years of fatherhood.
While Smysniuk's perspectives on parenting and marriage sometimes reveal stereotypical and slightly pessimistic views of fatherhood, his good-humored, straightforward advice has its appeal. New fathers intimidated by medical jargon and lengthier parenting manuals will appreciate this practical, candid guide to fatherhood. Written from the perspective of a father who has made his fair share of mistakes, this book is not intended to be a comprehensive parenting manual. Indeed, the cover page makes this clear by redlining words such as "guide, manual, and instruction book." Instead, Smysniuk's anecdotes and suggestions come from a friendly, helpful place based on personal experience—something many uncertain new fathers will appreciate.