THE NEW FATHER: A DAD'S GUIDE TO THE TODDLER YEARS, 12-36 MONTHS by Armin A. Brott ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Each time I finish one of these Dad books, I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. Didn’t I just start this one? Didn’t my daughter just turn one and say her first words, take her first steps, put on her first dress? There’s so much that happens from age one to three, it’s hard to believe this was the same baby I was snuggling just a second ago. This book sat on my nightstand through two years and a cross-country move, and helped tether me to the present while reminding me that time isn’t slowing down any time soon.

A lot happens from age one to three, but that second half has to be the most drastic change in one year their whole life. Kids go from a toddling little thing that still needs help doing almost anything, to a full-blown person with attitude, personality, and (if you’re lucky) the miraculous lack of a diaper. Through it all, this book was there with perfectly-timed insight about what’s going on with my daughter, my wife, and me individually, all the while explaining how we as fathers can make sure everyone’s needs are met. There’s financial advice, relationship counseling, playtime ideas, commiserations on bad days and bad tantrums, and so much more. It’s the most well-rounded and real advice on fatherhood in our generation, and since this is the phase of life where we generally spend more time at work and home than around other dads, it’s probably the best way to compare notes with someone else who has walked in these shoes.

It’s hard to believe the next book in this series covers more than six years of parenting life. That would be an all-time nightstand residency record. Whether it’s there or not, I’m just glad there are more years left to learn how to be Dad. Things are moving too fast already.