Product Description
As CEO of the National Center for Fathering, Carey Casey uses his experience and stories—and his engaging, personable tone—to inspire champions-to-be in fathering. Championship Fathering will help fathers raise healthy, well-adjusted, confident kids—mentally, physically, and spiritually. It will help fathers use the principles of championship fathering: Loving, Coaching and Modeling. Men will appreciate Carey Casey’s experiences in sports. He is currently chaplain for the Kansas City Chiefs. The book also includes a foreword by Tony Dungy. A 3-minute daily radio feature hosted by Carey Casey, Today’s Father, is heard on over 600 stations nationwide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Winning at the most important game
Of all the responsibilities a man can take on in his life, nothing (let me repeat that... NOTHING) is more important than the responsibility of being a father. Some two years and four months ago, I held my first-born daughter in my arms for the very first time - it's an absolutely life changing moment, and one that I will always carry with me. With that said, becoming a great father takes quite a bit of work. It means being humble enough to learn and grow, and the ability to admit your mistakes and learn from them.

I was eager to have the opportunity to read Championship Fathering. Carey Casey is the CEO of the National Center for Fathering. He has also worked as the team chaplain of several NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys. So, for a sports fan like myself, knowing Casey's background had me hooked from the beginning - especially considering that the foreword is written by former Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy.

Casey does a wonderful job of conveying his message in this book. The stories that he tells are memorable, and the questions are like darts, hitting right at the heart of the matter.

Several chapters were, in my opinion, extremely important. First, chapter 3 talks about getting involved with your kids as a father. In our society, many fathers are almost totally absent from the lives of their children. It's important to be involved - and not just on an occasional basis, but every day. Next, in chapter 6, Casey talks about loving your children's mother. Wow! Such a needed word for today's men! How we, as men, treat the mother of our children will impact how our children view relationships, and themselves, for the rest of their lives. This is especially important in the situation of divorce. Don't allow hurt feelings and situations from the past to cause damage to the heart of your children. Men: love your children's mother! Finally, in chapters 9 and 10, Casey talks about modeling. In other words, being the type of father that your actions actually model for your children what it means to be a great father. This is so important, and, as Casey discusses in the final chapter, it has the power to literally change our world.

I would highly recommend this book to you. Buy it for yourself, your sons, any man in your life. This would also be great to use as a Men's Small Group study. In fact, at [...] you can search for the book and find discussion questions to go along with it.

Excellent fathering resource
Simply put, this book is an excellent resource, for dads of all stripes and situations.From toddlers to teens to grown-up children, this book will have something for you.It's relatively short and to the point.There are many real-life pointed examples of what Mr. Casey is talking about...frankly Mr. Carey tells a good story and is great at pointedly sharing his experience in a way that helps you understand the importance of each idea.

Each chapter ends with a healthy list of age-appropriate tips and ideas to apply the insight covered in the chapter.It's a book you will want to keep on your bookshelf and refer to several times in the future, when you are looking for ways to improve your fathering skills as your child grows older, and your situation and needs grow with them.

First Class Parenting Advice!
This book is something that all fathers and prospective fathers should be reading.And honestly, every woman out there should be putting this in their man's hands.This is a wonderful guide to being a, well, wonderful father.Interspersed with sports stories , stories from his own experience, and Biblical wisdom, Carey Casey has a 'game plan' for being a great father.

The book includes chapters like "Love 101" and "Championship Fathering".Most important are chapters on "Loving Your Children" and "Loving Your Children's Mother". These are all important chapters and focus on creating healthy, well balanced children.

Personally, I loved reading the sports stories and how they fit in with the Biblical references he used.As a single mom raising boys, I thought it was a great book.I had to be father and mother and this book would have been a great resource.This book is going to impact your family, whether just the father reads it, or if both parents read it.

This book is definitely one that should be on the list of every father and mother - and referred to over and over again.

Bought as a gift
Did not read this book myself; bought as a gift.Amazon delivery very fast.

Championship Fathering shines BRIGHT !
Carey Casey, author of Championship Fathering scores a 'touchdown' for 'Team Fatherhood' with this book.A book you will not want to set down once you start.

Casey, the CEO of the National Center for Fathering, has a life story, as well as a message that shines BRIGHT!

Casey's stories, insight, inspiration and practical tips will provide a Dad, and the entire family, with a 'gameplan' for any Father, on how to leave a lasting legacy in our children's live.

The life stories of Carey Casey show that he is uniquely qualified to be a leader in America today as to family life.From Herman Boone (Remember the Titans Coach), to the Rev. Billy Graham, to meeting his wife at the University of North Carolina, to Pastoring a Chicago church, to Dallas Cowboys legendary coach Tom Landry, to FCA to CEO of the National Center for Fathering, one can see there are 'no coincidences' when God has a plan for someones life.

You will smile, be blessed and be changed by this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Becoming a father is a life-changing event, and not an easy one. The new feelings, emotions, and reactions surfacing every day can be confusing and overwhelming, summoning new dads to resolve old issues. Fathering Right from the Start guides men through this life passage, helping them navigate difficult times and participate meaningfully in parenting. Complete with exercises, checklists, and firsthand accounts by fathers from all walks of life, this indispensable book carries the seeds for a new tradition of men’s involvement in the emotional, cultural, and physical structure of the family. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

this book is timeless
After seeing Jack as a therapist for two years, this read is still as useful as it was when it was published in 2001.

fathering
well, a lot of useful psychology...I doubt however that a man will read it up to the end with the same equal interest as a woman. well, it goes without saying, you should at least give it a go!

Good, Specific Ideas that Help
Wonderful book on fathering.I grew up in the generation that had no fathers -- absent folk who went off to work, occasionally yelled at us, and otherwise were not known, so it's all kind of a mystery me.Being an emotional intelligence coach, I work with men (and women) who want to improve their lives, relationships, parenting and careers by increasing their emotional intelligence, which is what this book is all about.So well he explains these concepts, i.e., he tells you a child's Need #12 is for Empowerment.Okay, great what does that mean?And how do I meet it?Well here's how:"Model firmness and assertiveness, vulnerability and resourcefulness."And how, SPECIFICALLY do I do that?Here's how:(1)Focus on what's right, not what's wrong; (2)Don't overanticipate your child's requests; (3)Offer reassurance that your child's feelings and behaviors are "normal"; (4)Listen, accept, and guide, rather than preach, judge, or criticize; and (5)Encourage self-reliance.I learned a lot from this book and I'm a grandmother.Heinowitz says it's not about being right, it's about being there.How I love it when I hear my son say he's going to hire someone to do the lawn because all he remembers is his own Dad doing the lawn on the weekends, and he wants to do it differently.How much they both missed - my son and his father.How much can be gained from a book like this.

A Good Enough Fathering Book
Fathering Right from the Start: Straight Talk about Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond (New World Library, Novato, California, 2001) by Jack Heinowitz, Ph.D. Reviewed by Belden Johnson.

Because fathers are all too often "invisible partners" in the parenting process, Dr. Jack Heinowitz's cogent and simply-written book comes as a welcome addition to the literature on parenting. Its principal strengths are that it finds means of including fathers in the process while normalizing "negative" feelings and giving some concrete suggestions about how to process them, alone and together with your partner. The basic thesis of this book is that fathering-andparenting in general-is not a question of clever technique, of learning how to do something "right" (despite the pun on this word inherent in the title), but of becoming an authentic person by facing our feelings and our own childhood wounds and by learning to re-parent ourselves in the process.
I especially liked Chapter 8, "Facing Our Fears," in which the author does a skillful job of encouraging fathers to confront their feelings. Since men (and most of us in contemporary civilization) have been raised to function well mechanically by stuffing feelings, it's a major paradigm shift to reverse that tendency. By pointing out how much both the child and the partner need fathers to be feeling men rather than hollow role-players, Jack nudges fathers toward authenticity. He makes some concrete suggestions for how this process might begin. However, if I have any criticism of the book, it would be that it makes the sometimes daunting process of confronting and working through the feelings that arise at this significant stage as relatively simple intellectual exercises. (On the other hand, if he told how challenging it actually is, he might lose his audience!)
I also liked Chapter 10, "What Our Partners Really Want," which focuses upon the relationship between the parents and, similarly, argues for men to drop their roles (Protector, White Knight) and to become realer. The chapter covers a lot of important ground in efficient manner. Some communication exercises are provided, including speaking our likes and dislikes.I would like to see a clearer discrimination between blurting dislikes of the partner, which is usually perceived as an attack, and stating one's own internal reactions to what a partner does, which is more likely to be perceived as informational. He does end the chapter with the all-important exercise of moving on to asking for what we want.
There is also good information about how to organize around pregnancy and the changes it will bring, and the effects on the coupleship.
For instance, in his two chapters on sex, during pregnancy and after birth, Jack states what everyone should know-that often women (and sometimes men) go through changes in their sexuality around both states. If a woman is having profound morning sickness during the first trimester or when her nipples are tender and her vagina dry or still healing after birth, of course she's not going to feel especially erotic. Some men find their ardor dimmed by seeing their lovers with a bulging belly or with a baby at the breast. The antidote, he says, is accepting what comes and speaking lucidly about it with each other, knowing that passionate sexuality will return in the future if you can navigate the present with openness and good humor. Meanwhile, he encourages warm sexuality in whatever form works for both partners.
Similarly, the author points out that men often feel excluded, by their partners or by their own past feelings, from connection with their newborns. He offers brief quizzes to help dads sort through their feelings and moms to look at whether they might be pushing him away.
I admired the way Jack finessed the breast-feeding v. bottle-feeding issue: He doesn't discuss it at all, simply assuming that any right-minded parent would opt for the former, given its obvious advantages, a few of which he mentions.
There are also good practical suggestions about beginning to father in utero, going through labor and the postpartum period, what children need from us, generally and at the various life stages. One gem: when friends ask what they can do around the birth, tell them, "Bring dinner." I agree. When our first son was born, we had three weeks of dinners scheduled, to be left at the front door. We didn't even see the bearers, much less have them in to view the baby.
The core of the book is stated on p. 121:

The truth is that effective fathering does not require an instruction manual of any sort; instead it calls for strong character and a loving attitude. Children do not need the latest in child-rearing techniques. They need parents who know themselves and each other, and who understand that parenting is a spiritual endeavor sustained by love and nurturing.

Right on.
Whether it's suggesting that fathers cuddle with mother and child during breastfeeding so as not to feel left out or to use the significant transition of having a child as a means of connecting with our own childhoods and moving through the ineffective ways we learn to be in the world, the messages are right-minded, solid, and pragmatic.
Throughout, Fathering Right from the Start maintains a warm and accepting tone, permissionary to both fathers and mothers to not be perfect, to bumble through, to keep an eye on the long view. A good book to buy for your friend or relative that's about to have a baby. ... Read more

Product Description
The poet's journey begins in the heart. Here is a memoir from a poet that reminds us to pursue writing as much as love.

Moving beyond the loss of both his father and brother, E. Ethelbert Miller tells the story of how love survived in his family.When Miller was about ten years old, his father told him how he could have left his mother.Years later, now a writer and a father, Miller looks back on that simple remark and how it shaped him.In Fathering Words, Miller explores his development as an African American writer, the responsibility of his chosen career, and his ambitions to raise the consciousness of black people.Gradually, Miller comes to see that when his father told him he could have left his mother that he was attempting to raise his consciousness.In his own way, his father was warning Miller not to tale things for granted, that one's own world could easily and quickly change.And in his quiet way that he loved him.

Miller's poetry often relies on the voices of women.Here in Fathering Words, Miller has chosen to write his memoir in two voices.He places his sister's voice on the page next to his own. The result is a wonderful duet that tells two stories woven together into one.

Fathering Words is Miller's moving tribute and a powerful memoir. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fathering Grief and Discovering Love
Fathering Words portrays the grief and loss one man feels when his father and brother suddenly die within two years of each other. Their deaths cause Miller to recall how seldom he and his father spoke, and yet, he always knows his father loves the family.That singular way one person cares for and remembers another is at the spiritual core of this book. What does a son inherit from the men in his family when there are few conversations?Miller compares his life and his dreams to that of his older brother, and maps out the goals for his own future as he marries, has his own children, and embarks on his career as a poet.He punctuates the story with the gracious voice of his older sister, Marie, as he imagines how the family might have looked to her. Marie carries the secrets and stories that filter down to the younger son as rumors and tales. She becomes a source of information and verification of the family history.Using a network of subtle references to religion, classical and jazz music, basketball and baseball, as well as motifs from literary works, Miller provides a number of avenues by which a broad spectrum of readers will be able to enter and inhabit his poignant text.

For those who want to write about their own lives, the book provides a model for creating scenes in small vignettes that become interconnected by the end of the chapter, as opposed to providing a direct narrative path from the beginning of a life to the present.For writers who aspire to become published, and perhaps even famous, Miller chronicles the encounters he has with a number of writers, revealing the history of African American literature in the past thirty years.

I teach Fathering Words in a senior-level college course on autobiography at the University of Southern Indiana. ...

Fathering Grief and Discovering Love
Fathering Words portrays the grief and loss one man feels when his father and brother suddenly die within two years of each other. Their deaths cause Miller to recall how seldom he and his father spoke, and yet, he always knows his father loves the family. That singular way one person cares for and remembers another is at the spiritual core of this book. What does a son inherit from the men in his family when there are few conversations? Miller compares his life and his dreams to that of his older brother, and maps out the goals for his own future as he marries, has his own children, and embarks on his career as a poet. He punctuates the story with the gracious voice of his older sister, Marie, as he imagines how the family might have looked to her. Marie carries the secrets and stories that filter down to the younger son as rumors and tales. She becomes a source of information and verification of the family history. Using a network of subtle references to religion, classical and jazz music, basketball and baseball, as well as motifs from literary works, Miller provides a number of avenues by which a broad spectrum of readers will be able to enter and inhabit his poignant text.

For those who want to write about their own lives, the book provides a model for creating scenes in small vignettes that become interconnected by the end of the chapter, as opposed to providing a direct narrative path from the beginning of a life to the present. For writers who aspire to become published, and perhaps even famous, Miller chronicles the encounters he has with a number of writers, revealing the history of African American literature in the past thirty years.

I teach Fathering Words in a senior-level college course on autobiography at the University of Southern Indiana. Readers who want more information about the author might start with his website ....

A gift from heaven
If I had received this book five years ago, it would have saved me five years of pain and confusion.Fathering Words is the tangible witness of a man's journey into and through his writing life.Unlike many writing memoirs, it is not a how to, or even a how, but a detatched narrative of his life as a poet.He is eerily objective about the mistakes and choices he has made, and uses occasional passages from his sister to broaden the view he gives the reader.

I learned more about the writing process, more about the yearning that true writers feel, and more about the lack of understanding that non-artists have about the whys and wherefores.If you know an African-American man who yearns to "father words", buying this book for him will be the best show of support you can give him.

Remarkable
Fathering Words is a deeply moving memoir. Ethelbert Miller's description of his father will remain with the reader for a very long time. His decision to write the book using both his and his sister's voice is unique and it works.It's definitely a keeper.

Poetic Fathering
This book is so beautifully written, so touchingly direct that I called Howard University to search out the author and tell him what a compelling book he had written.Anyone who is a father, about to be a father or contemplating being a father (whether African-American or not) will find this book touching in what it says about the frequently mute love between fathers and their sons.African-Americans families are often love mutes like Mr. Miller's-- too busy working, too focused on the quotidien to express love outside provision of food and shelter. Out of such silent, seemingly fallow ground, E. Ethelbert Miller heaps up words of love and power, fathering not only his own father, but his whole family in some of the most poetic prose you will ever read. ... Read more

Product Description
A significantly updated, revised, and expanded guide to all aspects of fatherhood during a child’s second and third years by the best-selling, critically acclaimed author of The Expectant Father.

At what age should you introduce your child to computers? When and how should you go about drawing up a will? The day your child starts preschool, how will you cope with the pangs of adult separation anxiety? The answers to these questions and hundreds more are found in the pages of this information-packed volume. Author Armin Brott devotes a chapter to every three months of the second and third years. In each chapter, Brott charts the physical, intellectual, verbal, and emotional changes the child is going through and examines the emotional and psychological developments the father may be experiencing. He discusses issues that may develop between fathers and their partners as well as matters that involve the whole family. In addition, each chapter contains a section called "You and Your Child," in which activities and issues appropriate to the given age are discussed.

New topics in this revised and expanded edition cover the latest research on child development, including brain growth. There is more advice for dads who are older, single, or in the military; fathers of preemies and multiples; stepfathers; and stay-at-home dads. This new edition adds information on a wide range of subjects, from helping a child grieve over the loss of a relative or a pet to health and safety issues to care of special-needs children.

Incorporating the author’s and other fathers’ personal experiences, as well as the advice of top researchers in the field, and illustrated throughout with delightful New Yorker-style cartoons underscoring the universality of the joys and woes of parenting, A Dad’s Guide to the Toddler Years is an essential sourcebook for every dad. It’s certain to give every mom helpful insights as well. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This series is fantastic
We received the "New Father" version along with the many other books that you get given at a baby shower. As a result, it went on the shelf like all the others ;) One day, we dipped into it and have found it to be the best "one stop" resource we have. Although written with a fathering focus, we have found the book to be an invaluable resource for us as our child has grown (he is now 18 months and we are using the Toddler edition). More than any other book, the developmental stages outlined at the beginning of each paragraph have proved spot on every single time; remarkably so in fact. Furthermore, these books cover issues that you really battle with as new parents (separation anxiety, sharing, etc., ) to great depth and with a pragmatic approach. eat. A great series!!

A good read
I started reading the book after my child was well in his second year and it hit the nail on the head.The author has some good advice for caring for your child and planning for the future.

A wonderful read
Armin Brott keeps writing wonderful books that help fathers deal with the challenges of being a parent. So much time and energy is devoted to mothers, it is nice to know that someone realizes that fathers play an essential role in their children's development.

As the author of Your Children are Under Attack: How Popular Culture is Destroying Your Kids' Values, and How You Can Protect Them (Sourcebooks, 2005), I especially appreciated how Mr. Brott addresses concerns related to the emerging influence of popular culture on young children, e.g., time in front of computers.

More than anything, I enjoy Mr. Brott's compassionate and humorous style of writing. Though rigorously researched, he offers the information in a reader-friendly format and that is accessible and understandable.

For any father, this book is a great follow-up to The Expectant Father and The New Father. ... Read more

Product Description
Fathering comes naturally to God. The rest of us can use some pointers. Who better to provide them than the Father who truly knows best?

Following that reasoning, father-and-son authors Kenn and Jeff Gangel explore God's ways of forgiving, communicating with, disciplining, and loving his children. Each chapter is packed with amusing anecdotes and personal vignettes that illustrate how fathers can model godly character for their children. Fathering Like the Father will inspire any dad or men's group with a heavenly perspective on fatherhood. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good teamwork on Fathering
Kenneth and Jeffrey Gangel work well together on this new book on fathering.They take 15 characterics that fathers should pursue in raising their kids and discussing 1 per chapter, elucidate on them with bible stories/scripture, illustrations, and real life memories.Each chapter then ends with questions for discussion and for the father to talk with his child(ren).Having young kids, this book was helpful in encouraging me to check myself and how I am raising them.They are too littleright now to discuss something like this with, so I would need to store it away and bring it back out several years from now b4 having a good discussion with them about my fathering and their answers to the child/father discussion questions.

Transperent - Lets us see real life
Father Kenn and Son Jeff have written a winner.Biblical truths come alive as Kenn and Jeff let you look into their souls to see how they have wrestled with "Jeff's Story" and "Kenn's Story" at the end of each section.From the Bible they discuss fifteen attributes of God that relate to fatherhood and illustrated each one.Then they put flesh on them by Kenn and Jeff each letting us see how they have wrestled with each attribute in their lives.This is no antiseptic book that leaves you wondering how the attributes are lived in real life.Kenn lets us see how having God as his Father enabled him to overcome the scars from his own absentee father.It enabled him to become a father completely opposite from the one he had experienced.Jeff lets us see that having a father who worked at the fifteen attributes as well as a heavenly father who "is" the fifteen attributes is a great blessing--but is not, however, protection from being human.Jeff wrestled too, though in ways different from his dad's wrestling.
They don't leave us with just a description of "fathering like the father."Each attribute includes sections on "Making it Work," "Questions for Discussion," and "Father/Child Dialog."These help fathers wrestle with the same things Kenn and Jeff have successfully (though not perfectly as they allow us to see) wrestled with.They allow us to look into their lives in order to see our lives better.
I highly recommend this book for its biblical content, it's transparent presentation, and its helpful application.

Fathers New and Old Can Benefit
New fathers intimidated by the prospect of what their new responsibilities entail can find "Fathering Like the Father" a welcome addition to their reading list.

"Fathering Like the Father" is written by father and son Kenneth and Jeffrey Gangel. They bring in not only their experience together, but also their expertise in scholarship and understanding of God's Word.

Many books discussing fatherhood are based on pure psychology, even among Christian titles. "Fathering Like the Father" takes a different tack, focusing on the Scriptural basis for decisions a father must make in regard to rearing his child. This book can augment what James Dobson and Focus on the Family books teach. Likewise, PromiseKeeper men should connect solidly with the principles presented here.

Each chapter begins with a key passage and a biblical character. Chapter 11, "Find Us Faithful" highlights Elkanah and Psalm 146:5-9. It is followed by several pages discussing the related issues, using modern parables, statistical analyses, while driving home why the verses they chose are crucial. Jeffrey and Kenn then each has a subsection for their take on the passage and principle.

The chapters also include a few challenges in a section called "Making It Work," discussion questions useful in a small group or Sunday School/CCD context, and some things for father-child dialogue. It is meant to be read with a Bible open. If you find it as engaging as I did, your copy will be marked up with underlined sentences and quotes drawn from history.

Chapters include:
* Make 'Em Laugh: Humor
* An Officer or a Gentleman? Grace and Mercy
* Focus on the Father: Forgiveness
* The Ultimate Sacrifice: Love
* The Green-Eyed Monster? Jealousy
* Truth or Consequences: Truthfulness
* God's Friend: Friendship
* The Child Whisperer: Communication
* Lessons from an Old Man: Holiness
* Winning the Game: Discipline
* Find Us Faithful: Faithfulness
* A Gift from God: Wisdom

* Imitating Infinite Intimacy: Intimacy
* A Worthy Investment: Trustworthiness
* A Few Good Men: Goodness

It reads easily, and its challenges are backed by the author's own experience. I fully recommend "Fathering Like the Father" by Kenneth and Jeffrey Gangel.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com ... Read more

Product Description
Encouraging fathers in their attempts to build relationships with their children, a collection of stories shares important lessons, offers practical and creative ideas, and focuses on overcoming obstacles such as travel, divorce, and long work hours. Original. 40,000 first printing. Tour. IP. Amazon.com Review
One of the greatly underestimated family relationships is the bond between fathers and children. Fathers are notnecessarily taught to be fathers by their own dads; even mothers,at times, do not comprehend the significance of father-childrelationships and thus don't know how to foster and encouragethem. It's kind of a big, societal mystery how sometimes therelationship works and sometimes it doesn't. Will Glennon puts a humanface on this issue with personal stories (his own and others'), andcreates a truly moving and significant contribution to a clearerunderstanding of father-child relationships. He offers practical,concrete advice about how to make them stronger, more loving, and morebeneficial for child and father. An important book on a neglectedcorner of family life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Fathering
This was a gift for my husband. He's in Iraq and he has read [or started to read] this book and says he loves it. :)

Absolutely Amazing
My father and I haven't had the best relationship in the past 10 years, as my parents are divorced and he missed my teenage years by a long shot because of the distance.Now that we live in the same city and I'm headinginto my 20s, I still don't see him very often.

I found this book anddecided to give it to my father for Father's Day.I read it andhighlighted all the *incredibly* relavent parts, which ended up being halfthe book!I cried the entire way through the book because it really hithome.Mr. Glennon has an uncanny knack of seeing right into the hearts ofemotionally neglected kids.

My dad and I still aren't the best offriends, but he's read parts of the book (still hasn't read all of it, muchto my dismay) and has really tried to understand where I'm coming from. It's a very big step for both of us.

This is an incredibly important bookand I plan on stocking up on at least 3 copies of this book to distributewhen the time comes: one for my stepsister and her husband, one for mybrother, and one for my future husband (when I find him!).I hope theyfind the true wisdom of this book and learn from the mistakes of othersinstead of making the same ones.There's just too much at stake: yourchild's life.

This might be the most important book I ever read
As a new father, I was scared, nervous and excited about my approachingfatherhood, and like most guys it never occurred to me to read a book aboutit. My mother gave me this book and the power of the stories and the wisdomof the words were an absolute godsend. I am now five months intoFatherhood, knee-deep in baby things and loving every second. This book isfabulous and I think every single new father should be required to read it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Arguing with your mate over child-rearing?Read this book!
This book is one of my parenting all-time favorites.I read it over a year and a half ago, so my memory might be a little off.My husband and I disagreed loudly on many parenting issues in the first year and a half (including breastfeeding after one year, but he has given up on arguing with me).This book helped me to understand and appreciate my husband's childrearing viewpoints.Thenevin explains that generally women are nurturing and men value and promote early independence.She argues that both styles are vital to the child's development.Generally speaking, from birth to two years (my estimation) the child is dependent on the mother, who (hopefully) nurtures best.From one year on (again, a just an estimation) the child begins to leave the "secure base" of the mother and the father begins to take a greater interest in the child.The father adds more fun, more physical play, and encouragement to do things independently.Of course, both genders nurture and encourage independence at various times.Thenevin's book simply demonstrates the significance of these gender differences in parenting.

In addition, I found Thenevin's explanation of male-dominated child-rearing books enlightening.She argues (again, generally speaking) that male authors are more comfortable being authoritative and giving direct orders such as "never put a child to sleep in your bed" or "you must start scheduling now." They also have no problems with promoting themselves as experts.In contrast, female authors will suggest things rather than flat out tell you how to do things.Obviously, there are glaring exceptions, such as Dr. William Sears and Dr. Jodi Mindell, but overall I believe Thenevin is correct.Reading that was extremely helpful in understanding the fierce, early independence promoted by many male authors.These authors include Dr. Terry Brazelton, who believes babies should learn how to "self-soothe".Dr. Richard Ferber advocates a "crying it out" method for "helping" a child sleep through the night.And finally, Gary Ezzo, a best-selling author who does not hold any scientific or medical degree, yet promotes scheduling from birth and eliminating nighttime feedings to suit parental needs.As a result, one essentially ignores and/or limits the infant's biological needs for touch, vestibular movement and frequent feedings, which research has shown is necessary for brain and physical development.Sadly, these authors are promoting their own gender biases that are not appropriate for young infants. Young infants should be nurtured and responded to quickly.True independence comes later.

The consequences of insecure attachment in infancy are prevalent in adulthood and visible throughout our society.Anorexia, learning and behavioral problems, anxiety disorders, inability to form long lasting relationships and estrangement from one or both parents are just a partial list of problems.Thenevin encourages new mothers to follow and embrace their own nurturing instincts (that persistent, quite little voice inside you), rather than rely on any self-proclaimed baby expert who tells them otherwise.

supportive book for new families
This is one of the best books for new parents, especially new mothers. Tine Thevenin is supportive and encouraging to new parents who want to follow their hearts and instincts when carrying for their children. Shegives credit to the unique and different parenting styles of men and womenand acknowledges that both are needed to raise a healthy, happy individual.More importantly, she tells mothers that they should not have to fight offtheir "mothering instincts" or follow a guide book to parenting.She praises women for their often innate ability to raise a child withoutall the outside advice. Good Work Tine! Readers scared off by her previousbook, The Family Bed, may find this book more helpful (although both booksare great).

Affirming and Confirming of our roles as parents
The author steps out and defends the God-given, or natural if you prefer, roles of mothers and fathers.She makes a case that there are certain behaviors that mothers do and SHOULD exhibit, and that fathersbehaviors/roles are different and SHOULD be for healthy development.Ms.Thevenin is brave especially in this day's relativistic looking at thefamily as "open" with different options "ok", such astwo females or two males as the parents.Thevenin's assertations stronglydetract from same-sex parenting's effectiveness.Bravo Tine!I foundcomforted reading the book; behaviors of my husband toward the childrenthat used to bug me I now realize are actually good (and needed) for thechildren to become whole, well-rounded individuals. ... Read more

Product Description
Following the success of the three previous volumes in this series----The Expectant Father; The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year; and Fathering Your Toddler----this new book is similarly packed with facts, tips, and advice on all aspects of fatherhood.

When is it the best time to encourage a child's independence? What's the difference between daycare vs. preschool? What are the unique ways fathers impact their youngster's life? The answers to these questions and hundreds more are found in the pages of this easy-to-follow, informative volume. With wisdom, compassion, and humor, author Armin Brott devotes a chapter to each school year from prekindergarten through the fourth grade. In each chapter he outlines the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social changes the child is going though, and examines the emotional and psychological development the father may be experiencing. He also discusses issues that develop between dad and mom as well as matters that involve the whole family. In addition, each chapter contains a section called "You and Your Child," in which activities and issues appropriate to the given age are discussed.

Other topics cover the latest research on child development, including brain growth, good and bad news about watching television, and the use of computers and other technology. There is ample advice for dads who are older, single, divorced, in the military, stepfathers, and stay-at-home dads, and the book incorporates the author's and other fathers' personal experiences, as well as the advice of top researchers in the field. Illustrated throughout with delightful New Yorker cartoons that underscore the universality of the joys and woes of parenting, Fathering Your School-Age Child is an essential sourcebook for every dad. It's certain to give every mom helpful insights as well. ... Read more

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Willie Mays said that good players can play with their bodies, but great players play with their hearts and minds as well. The same is true for fathering. In Covering Home, author Jack Petrash combines a love for children with his love for the game of baseball to give fathers, or fathers-to-be, a new perspective on raising children.

The Baltimore Orioles had a unique outfielder once named Ken Singleton, and he had an unusual habit: whenever he stepped up to bat, he would reach down and pick up three pebbles. These pebbles were a reminder that each time he batted he was entitled to three good pitches. This act heightened his awareness, and increased his patience and discipline as a hitter.

I think fathers need a similar ritual. We should stop before our front door when we are about to make the transition to our children's world and imagine that we are about to pick up three stones. At this moment we should remind ourselves that we are going to spend these three hours with the most important people in the world.
-- from Covering Home . . .

Quotes on the hardcover edition:

"Will immediately become the kind of book passed on from friend to friend, from father to father, and from father to son or daughter. . . . There are many more detailed books on fatherhood that are essential for a dad's -library, but none so precious as this small wonder." -- Publishers Weekly

"Petrash delivers more than just tips about patience and preparation, timing and tolerance. Like a veteran manager, he hands out inspiration and discipline in equal measures, and shows us how we can be more than we ever imagined." -- Utne Reader

Customer Reviews (11)

Great gift for baseball fan dad
I bought this book for my son who is a huge baseball fan.Great gift for a dad who loves baseball.My son, who just had a son, was very pleased with the gift.

Not bad, but very simplistic
I actually enjoyed reading the book, but I should say that in my opinion, the views were very simplistic.It is a relatively short book with many messages, which the author often illustrates by example.I personally thought some deserved a more in depth discussion.However, one could argue that was the point - to stay in line with his baseball metaphors.In any case, I don't know if I would recommend this book, but it's not a bad read.I've certainly read worse parenting books...

The best fathering book I've ever read
I can't emphasize how helpful this book has been to me, as well as to our family. It has helped me become a better father, husband, and person. I've recommended this book to many people. I highly recommend this book for any father who wants to take his parenting to a new level.

Good read although metaphor gets stretched at times
Jack Petrash has taken a medium that almost all American men understand and used it to illustrate good parenting skills.Using baseball and various aspects of that game, he illustrates the similarities between the various stages of the game and the various stages of child rearing, how to make the highlights reel and avoid the bloopers reel, strategies if you have a shallow bench (single parenting), and many more."Covering Home" is an entertaining and yet practical read that clearly illustrates the key points of good parenting through the medium of baseball.It is a recommended read that is sure to delight and entertain the reader.

Lessons that last all season
Jack Petrash hit a home run with this book. I run a national fathering nonprofit, and this is one of my 3 favorite books on fathering -- real, simple, clear, short and to the most essential of points about being a good dad. That is, be intentional. Pay attention to what you do and say, and open yourself up to the passion of the best job a man can ever have -- father. ... Read more

Product Description
For many people, connection with a father is the most defining relationship of life. And, according to Schaller, many experience "father hunger," a hollow place inside that craves to be filled with a father's acceptance, affection, and intimacy. In this book, he sifts through the full rage of emotional struggles that occur when God's fatherhood is displaced with the fallen image of biological fathers. ... Read more

Product Description
Much contemporary scholarship on fathers comes from a deficit model, focusing on men's inadequacies as parents. This volume goes beyond a deficit model of fatherhood to what the editors term a `generative fathering perspective'. This approach sees the work fathers do for their children in terms of caring for and contributing to the life of the next generation.

Following a description of generative fathering, placing it in contrast to the role-inadequacy perspective of fatherhood, the contributors elaborate on generative fathering in terms of gender, ethnicity and historical perspectives. They present research that helps readers to understand generative fathering in challenging life circumstances, such as special-needs child ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Incredible life-changing book for all of us
This will provide both men and women with the incredible insight to heal from past hurts. Jarema takes a solid experiential approach backed up with real life examples from his practice that will move you to discovering what is necessary to be empowered beyod your imagination.
I highly recommend this book.

A book with lots of great help for any man.
This book has 3 sections to it.The 1st section has great examples of "bad fathering", the 2nd section has excellent examples of "good fathering".The 3rd section nicely ties up what we canlearn from all this, and also includes a nice section on men as mentors. Personally, I got much more out of the 2nd and 3rd sections than the first. I found that there was a lot I learned from "outstandingfathers".The book holds steady, but starts a little too slow to giveit 5 stars.It definitely deserves at least 4 stars.

Don't bother with this one brother!
The first 9 chapters of this book are a waste of time. The author uses these chapters as a "cookie cutter" to describe bad fathering styles and good fathering styles and it is doubtful that anyones father would match the descriptions provided. There are only 2-3 chapters remaining that have any meaningful information. Save your money and have dinner with a good friend ... Read more

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Fathering is a highly contested concept in popular, media, academic and policy discourses, yet in the areas of family studies and men’s studies the leisure component of family life is under-played. This book provides a long overdue and thorough investigation of the relationship between fatherhood, sport, and leisure.

Fathering Through Sport and Leisure investigates what fathers actually do in the time they spend with their children. Leading researchers from the fields of sport, leisure and family studies examine the tensions men encounter as they endeavour to meet the new expectations of fatherhood, and the central role that sport and leisure play in overcoming this. Analyzed in relation to social trends and current policy debates, this unique collection examines fathering in a wide range of contexts including:

• parental expectation and youth sports
• fathers and daughters
• leisure time and couple time in dual earner families
• divorce, fatherhood and leisure.

The book shows how contemporary fathers use sport and leisure to engage with their sons and daughters, achieve emotional closeness and fulfil their own expectations of what it means to be a ‘good father’. Drawing on research carried out in the UK, Australia, Canada and the United States, this is a crucial text for anybody with an interest in leisure studies, family studies or fatherhood.

Product Description
Since 1997, child welfare services have been faced with new demands to engage fathers or develop father-inclusive services. This book emerges from work by the author as a researcher and educator over many years on the issues posed by this agenda for child welfare practitioners in a variety of contexts. In locating fathers, fathering and fatherhood within a historical and social landscape, the book addresses issues seldom taken up in practice settings. It explores diversity and complexity in fathering in different disciplines such as psychoanalysis, sociology and psychology and analyses contemporary developments in social policies and welfare practices.The author employs a feminist perspective to highlight the opportunities and dangers in contemporary developments for those wishing to advance gender equity. A key strength of the book is its inter-disciplinary focus. It will be required reading for students, graduate and post-graduate, of social work, social policy, sociology and child and family studies. Academic researchers will also find the book invaluable because of its breadth of scholarship. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A strong pick with many thoughtful ideas for readers, highly recommended
The meaning of being a father has changed over the years. "Contemporary Fathering: Theory, Policy, and Practice" is a guide to what it means to be a father in the twenty first century. The value of a father has been discussed by many psychologists and Brid Featherstone does well in outlining the many thoughts and details that surround the father, and uses a feminist perspective that highlights why the father is still important in today's era of single parents. "Contemporary Fathering" is a strong pick with many thoughtful ideas for readers, highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
A landmark collection of original essays that fills the void of writing by men about their daughters. Contributors include Phillip Lopate, Rick Bass, Gerald Early, Gary Soto, Scott Sanders, Nicholas Delbanco, and Alan Cheuse.Amazon.com Review
Literally hundreds of books cast light on the mother-daughterbond, but the relationship between a girl and her other parent remainsstubbornly hidden in shadow. The strikingly lucent essays inFathering Daughters do their best to repair thatimbalance. There's Rodger Kamentz, who prefers speaking Englishstraight up rather than babbling baby talk at his infant Anya--"Whyoffer her ears a blurry target?"--and Rick Bass, who worries abouttweaking his daughters' political consciousness too hard. You wantyour daughters to loathe injustice, he says, but do you want them toburn as erratically and out-of-control as you do--with that muchbitterness? Psychiatrist Samuel Shem observes American genderdifferences with some alarm as his 3-year-old daughter anxiouslyconsiders what to wear before a play date where the boy will snub herattempts to connect. Darker tales surface from Gary Soto, drowning indepression, and William Petersen, on a vacation with a daughter dyingof leukemia. A few essays are irritatingly narcissistic, but the bestshowcase some tremendous writers capturing murmurs that swell to aroar as they echo back from our own lives. --FrancescaColtrera ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

cover depicts child in sexual manner. shameful., January 15, 1999
RESPONSE TO THIS IDIOT. TOO BAD ITS BEEN SINCE 1999 I HOPE YOU STILL READ THIS SO I CAN TELL YOU YOUR A SICK PERSON AND THE REASON THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD FATHERS GETTING QUESTIONED ABOUT THEIR SHOW OF LOVE AND AFFECTION TO THEIR CHILDREN. JUST HOW THE HELL IS A DAUGHTER DANCING WITH HER DADDY ON HIS FEET SEXUALLY? YOUR SICK GO ROT IN YOUR HOLE YOUR KIND IS NOT NEEDED

For moms and dads and kids, alike
I actually gave this book to my mother who enjoyed it as much as I did. We found it a valuable illustration of relationships to be learned from and entertained by...

Forget the cover- listen to the insight
For all of you who have enjoyed works by authors such as James Alan McPherson, you will not be dissapointed by this one!The essays afforded in this collection were well arranged and complimentary, dealing with suchdiversities as retardation, sexual abuse, coming of age, childinnocence...bottom line: a father's experiencein love.The prolificwriters who contributed to this book make the reading enjoyable at least asshort fiction...add the truth and emotion of memoir and they become gems. You may not like each of the essays, but the collection overshadows anysingle dislike.

cover depicts child in sexual manner.shameful.
Why does the cover depict a child so sexually. It is disgusting and sad that they could not convey a child and her innocence on the cover. Sexualizing daughters on their cover contributes to the sick things beingdone to innocent children. Was it done to sell more? ... Read more

Product Description
Involved Fathering and Men's Adult Development is an interdisciplinary book that synthesizes theoretical, empirical, and anecdotal writings from different fields and provides an analysis of extensive interviews with 40 fathers. Along with the exploration of the distinct contribution that fathers make to their children's development, the author pursues the parallel theme of the effect this involvement has on the fathers' own development in adulthood.

This book will provide its readers with a realistic and useful beginning point to bring a synthesis of developmental theories, family studies perspectives, and men's insights about fathering that will enhance our academic understanding of fathering and adult development. This book can also spark reflective and practical application for fathers and families, whether readers are academicians, practitioners, policymakers, or fathers in the trenches.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A new way of looking at fatherhood
"Involved Fathering'' works on several levels. It is an academic study that's easy for ordinary parents to read because the writing is to-the-point. This original research shows that involved fathers change for the better as a result of the time they spend with their children. Everyone knows parenting has an effect on children, and now, thanks to Rob Palkovitz, we know parenting also has an effect on parents. I enjoyed reading how a truly diverse group of individual fathers view their parenting experiences. ... Read more

Product Description
Addressing the issue of how men in demanding jobs can ensure they are good fathers to their children, this guide presents numerous ways to improve both the quality and amount of time that fathers spend with their children. Interviewed are more than 75 men from different backgrounds and professions, from pig farmers and plumbers to doctors and politicians. These men speak about the ways they balance demanding jobs with being good dads and offer suggestions for making work help, rather than hinder, fathering. All fathers, whether in separated or intact families, can benefit from the experiences of these successful, busy dads. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Some great fathering perspectives and advice...
This is an outstanding book, and has definitely broadened my fathering awareness and outlook. I was so impressed with the book that I purchased a 2nd copy for a busy work colleague who I felt might get as much out of the book as I did.

It's a great read, with lots of humour, touching stories, practical advice, and admissions of mistakes from a wide variety of Australian dads (John Howard, Mick Malthouse, busy professionals, plumbers, you name it...) and their families.

In terms of long term impact, in the top 10 books I have read. ... Read more

Product Description
This hardcover book has nearly 200 pages presenting anentertaining and practical look at fathering priorities.

Fathers in the 90s are waking up to their unique contributions tochild development, and to the rewards of being much more than bankerand disciplinarian. This book provides the insights needed to instill:key values and attitudes,balance career and fatheringresponsibilities, avoid common fathering mistakes,and gain and keepyour childs respect.

This is a book whose time has come. Any man can become a father,but the art of fatherhood has yet to be mastered. Rosie Grier. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great book for every father
This is an excellent book for concrete application of God's love to the practice of being a father. I have not yet even begun to put into practice all the truths to be found in this book. I will continue to try, though.

A great resource for fathers, and fun to read too.
I'm not much on self-help books or parenting books in general, but this is a great book for helping fathers gain a perspective on their significance in the lives of their childern. The model of the "wheel" seems a little strange at first, but it really helps you visualize the points the author makes.The book has a slight conservative Christian lean, but it never becomes over-powering or preachy. A great book to have around when you need a little injection of wisdom to help you make it through those tyring moments of fatherhood. ... Read more

Product Description
Over the last twenty years it has become recognized that fathers play a crucial role in child development and subsequent adult status and behaviour. This book presents the state-of-the-art on fathering and its determinants. Based on original research into the effects that different styles of fathering can have on children, it explores the long and short terms outcomes of involved fathering on different domains of children?s lives, including academic achievement, mental health, socio-economic status, adolescent relationships and delinquency. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fathering and child outcomes
Eirini Flouri is affilated with the Centre for Research into Parenting and Children at the University of Oxford and lecturer in Statistics at St Hilda's College with an interest in human development and since the year 2000 she has researched the role of the father in parenting.
As an example of this new trend into fathering the National Center for Fathering (www.fathers.com) was established in Kansas City in 1990 in order that every child should have an involved father or father figure, so that children would not be unfathered. It is true that "fathering" has become a hot issue in human development research, but in fact we are talking about a recovery of awareness and not something unprecedented as discussed in the book by Eli Newberger (The men they will become. The nature and nurture of male character. Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publ, 1999). Here it is documented that English and American fathers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were active in all aspects of domestic life, from monitoring their wives' pregnancies to taking responsibility for the daily socialization of their children, but in the nineteenth century fathers were somehow displaced from the center of the family circle and only recognized through the expression of a paycheck.
This book is based on more than 20 studies performed by the author in the United Kingdom using five different data sources spanning a time period of more than 40 years with an international review of studies in the field of the role of the father in child development.
This is a scholarly book with important research that will serve as a reference in this field. Her studies showed that father involvement was sometimes associated with "good" children's (career maturity in adolescence, labour force participation, state benefits receipt and subsidised housing in adult life) outcome and sometimes unrelated. Father involvement was associated with low risk for delinquincy in sons (but not in daughters), father interest in child education was related to daughter's (but not son's) educational attainment in adult life and father involvement protected against experience of homelessness in adult sons (but not in daughets) from low (but not high) socio-economic groups.

Gideon Vardi, MD, MPH
Zusman Child Development Center, Division of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Beer-Sheva, Israel. E-mail: GideonVa@clalit.org.il

Prrofessor Joav Merrick, MD
Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Medical director, Division for Mental Retardation, Box 1260, IL-91012 Jerusalem, Israel. E-mail: jmerrick@internet-zahav.net



... Read more

Product Description
The decline of fatherhood is one of the most serious problems currently facing our society. While in 1960 both fathers and mothers were present in the same household in almost 81 percent of family households, by 2000 both biological parents were present in only 55 percent of family households. Unfortunately, this negative trend has continued into the new century.

FATHERING AT RISK is an in-depth and informative examination of three groups of nonresidential fathers - teen fathers, older unmarried fathers, and divorced fathers - emphasizing the importance of a father's presence in a child's life, and concentrating on what society can do to reverse the dangerous trend toward absentee fathers. Moving beyond the realm of theory, the authors present a number of practical programs and strategies that have been successful in helping fathers from the three groups. These include specific plans that involve teenage fathers with their children, family-sensitive employment policies, new approaches for helping unmarried nonresidential fathers maintain contact with their sons and daughters, mediation to resolve parental conflicts, preparation for co-parenting, and alternatives to welfare.

Divided into four parts, the first examines the problem of absentee fathers and why it exists. Part 2 offers perspectives and strategies for promoting effective fathering. Part 3 covers practical advice for counseling fathers at risk, and part 4 provides a discussion of social policy initiatives and a host of supportive programs.

Case studies, helpful questions to consider, and appendix that offers a list of fathers' organizations and Web sites to assist readers, and numerous references for further reading combine to make this thoroughly researched and forward-looking discussion an excellent resource for everyone concerned with the plight of today's families. ... Read more