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.

A fun and encouraging look at fatherhood. Made me laugh out loud. Entertaining but also a great attitude to parenting. Go for it! :)

For some, lengthy prose and developing complex theories on child-rearing is exactly what they need to make their decisions in bringing up their bub. But when it comes to burping your newborn, there is a way and you need to follow that way. So having a tool that you can look to at a glance is spot on.A lot of the book is common sense, but this can be useful when you're deep into exhaustion after 2 hours sleep in two weeks. Plus what seems straightforward and obvious to one person can be trying to make a face out of a Picasso painting for others. The bits are all there, but it isn't fitting in the way you imagine it to.Addressing the negatives, although I hasten to add that these are in no way detrimental to the overall usefulness of the book: the whole Commando theme and language really irritates me and makes the book feel a little childish, BUT I do understand that it needs to keep this in order to fulfil its niche and keep with the theme of the author.Also the book is now getting quite outdated, and some guidance and legislation have been superseded since it was last revised. The book references the Commando Dad website, but this now seems long gone, so you'll need to find your own resources.Don't let this put you off, though, as 98% of the content is still relevant and useful. I've not seen any other book doing what this one does, so it's a must-buy for me.

I got this for my partner on a whim. He’s felt a bit out of touch with the pregnancy due to COVID and not being able to attend appointments and despite participating in online antenatal classes, he found them boring and couldn’t relate. I decided this may help to educate him on what we need to prepare for but in an entertaining way and this certainly didn’t disappoint!!He absolutely loved it and read it all within two days. He then had a complete change of attitude and became a lot more attentive where he started to actively check we have everything baby proofed, checking our sleeping, changing, bathing items to ensure we have essentials, taking the initiative to add things to my hospital bag for what may be useful.He recommended this to all this friends and colleagues and has already started to re-read in preparation of baby’s due date this week. It just breaks down all the information you need to be aware of in a no nonsense way that’s easy to digest and is logical. It’s also pretty humorous so that helps the information stick in your mind.

My wife was pregnant and I realised I was winging it too much so I had to prepare - at least a little.This book was highly recommended by one of my colleagues as an easy pickup and to the point manual - yes, it's more of a manual than a book I'd say. Bullets points, lists and no nonsense information.I was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up as like I've mentioned above, it's very easy to read and there's no need to read between the lines or actually worry too much. The book covers quite a lot and really helped me. I did do other reading and this book reassured me and calmed me down a little (ha!)So my daughter Ava is now 6 weeks old and I do find myself referring to the book on occassions just really to refresh my memory of what to do and what not to do

FIRSTLY - DADS, MUMS this is a brilliant book - just buy it, but if you don't want to go off this short sentence read below. However, one brilliant message throughout Mums & Dads are equals and work the very best together.I've been reading through this book and its so simple with short and too the point chapters its been brilliant to read on the Kindle as I've managed to go through highlight chapters, make notes etc.Whilst the author covers the pregnancy part, I'd read that in another book, this book was all about the baby being here and Neil makes reference to common sense throughout, but with really useful tips like spare clothes packs in the car, changing bag, spare changing bag. First aid kits for all occassions etc. It's his approach on using the world around opposed to electronic gadgets that make him stand out.If you ever wondered why we think our armed forces are the best, its soldiers like Neil that show you their training is transferable. More importantly, you're pointed towards his website for more advice, I for one really enjoyed it and feel better prepared.Recruit Dad - reporting for duty at the end of June.

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.