Review of “Best Things Fathers Do” by Will Glennon
Browsing through the Parenting section at Chapters, I came across an interesting Dad book called “Best Things Fathers Do” by Will Glennon. I initially flipped through it and almost put it back (too many words, not enough pictures… I like pictures…) but I’m glad I didn’t.
Read on to see what kind of Dad would enjoy this book, review a quick summary and see if some of the best tips (in my opinion) from this book apply to your life! Finally, Roger Fox in a comic on spending quality time with your kids.
Description: (From the publisher) Will Glennon combines the wisdom and joy culled from interviews with fathers, research, and his own personal experience as a dad into “Best Things Fathers Do”, a helpful and inspiring book that is perfect for fathers, new and old. In “Best Things Fathers Do”, Glennon not only celebrates fatherhood, but gives dads the tools to build close, powerful emotional bonds with their children.
Sample Pages: Here’s a Google Books sample of the book that shows you the full table of contents and a sampling of different pages from the book.
Incredible Dad Opinion: This is a tip book for the father who likes to read. Like I mentioned before, there are no pictures and while it isn’t “War and Peace”, it isn’t “Dummies Guide to Fathering” either. Take a look at the first page of the table of contents:
As you can see, the topics are deeper than the ones that many easier Dad books cover. The author covers each topic over 1 to 3 pages and provides insightful examples where applicable.
Some of the deeper and more profound tips that resonated with me included:
Avoid Rescuing – “I’m not suggesting that we not supervise our children or let them roam around unattended. What I am saying is that unless they are in actual danger, we should allow them to figure out the solutions to their problems, rather than running in with the cold towel, the Kleenex or the replacement homework. When we say to them,”I know you can figure this out,” we send a strong message of our belief in their competence. ”
Articulate Your Values – “What is our purpose? What values guide us through the course of our own lives? The more we examine these things for ourselves, and the more we discuss them with our children, the more we offer them a worthwhile model for living… To prepare our children… we need to share with them our own deepest feelings and beliefs. We need to open the doors to this extraordinary world of depth and beauty so that they can begin to get their bearings, to see their part in the grand design, and to take comfort in the connection to something so much greater than their individual lives.”
Seize the Deeper Moments – “It is the moments – not days, weeks or months, but individual, crystal-clear moments – that we remember and cherish, that become for us the symbols, the milestones, the previous content of our lives. We are connected across time, but it is only in the moment that we live. As fathers, we need to find ways to share this simple but profound truth with our children… Feel the sun on your face…the touch of your child’s hand, the smell of your newborn’s cheek. It is here, in these particular moments, that we are most profoundly alive and can connect most deeply with your children.”
There are many more day-to-day tips as well as lighter tips but the above tips give you a taste of the depth of this book.
Best aspects of the book: Valuable, well written tips on how to positively impact your children’s lives.
Worst aspects of the Book: No pictures, not a gift that all Dad’s would appreciate.
Roger Fox on bonding with your kids:
In Summary: At $16.95, you definitely get your money’s worth in terms of tips. Consider buying it for the intellectual Dad on your list who reads a lot, has kids at least at the Toddler age and wants to become Incredible. Finally, think about coupling it with an issue of the latest Maxim magazine so he doesn’t think that your gifts are too boring!
Overall rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
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