Pacify Me: A Handbook for the Freaked-Out New Dad

Product Details

Go ahead, freak out. Comic Chris Mancini was terrified of his impending fatherhood. But soon after throwing up upon seeing the little blue line, he realized that most expectant dads sometimes feel nervous, depressed, or powerless -- like a new baby is guy-kryptonite. Chris has been there and survived it. He'll talk you off the ledge.

Naturally, you have plenty of questions: How many diapers will I really have to change? Will I ever have sex again? When should I mention that new 50-inch LCD television I want? Is it okay to play Grand Theft Auto while I hold my kid? Aren't there robots that can do most of this stuff by now? From fearing the ovulation kit, to leaving your child with a complete stranger when you go back to work, to the best and worst parts of being a parent, to wondering if Dr. Spock really is like Mr. Spock, Pacify Me is full of honest, hilarious, and insightful advice for new dads. Like, if you screw up a little the first time you're alone with the baby, it's not as if she's going to tattle. And babies love the mall.

The truth is, the anxiety leading up to your child's birth is way worse than the anxiety of actually having a child. Soon you'll discover that the joy of experiencing life through innocent new eyes more than makes up for having to send your inner teenager to bed before midnight, unless there's something cool on Adult Swim.

Product Reviews

(4 stars) - Even single men without kids would appreciate
Some of the basic stuff that a dad-to-be needs to know. The nice thing about the book is that it's presented in a comic way that takes away that 'instructional' feel when reading.

I got this book for my brother whose had his 1st baby (daughter). Prior to giving the book to him, I was able to read it and enjoy. You don't have to be a dad to read the book, it's added info as well.

As for my brother, he enjoyed the book and confirmed that it did help him go through the 'stage'.

Good book, 4 star rating because of the approach on how it was written and presented. It would arouse the curious minds of anyone who'd see the cover.

(3 stars) - light, funny and insightful (to see what your man is thinking!)
I read this book as a curious woman since I think that this might be my husband when (and if) we have a child. I wanted to see if I could understand what a man goes through when faced with being a new father. Chapter one is called "Life is Over" and it begins with the panic and anxiety over the end of your freedom. After getting on meds and seeing a shrink he calms down and starts walking the reader through his process of becoming a father. He talks about trying to get pregnant, taking the classes and reading the books, delivery, and (the all important topic to men) change to your sex life, to name a few. The books has some informational value, but not to any degree what you would get from another new parent book. It is mostly a look at his transformation and journey into becoming a new dad. Chris Mancini is funny and men will relate to his humor, references to Star Trek and Star Wars, and his honesty about things guys are really thinking. I would recommend this as a gift for expecting father. It is not a true "handbook" as the title states so do also get them one of those other boring books, too.

All in all, it is really funny and enjoyable to read. I could totally envision a sitcom created from its pages. Pacify Me coming soon to a network near you...

(1 stars) - Guide to bad parenting
I bought this for my baby daddy hoping he would get an insight into new fatherhood. After reading this, he was scared of what kind of mom I might be! From what I heard, this book basically tells dads to self-medicate and ignore the issues. Unfortunately, that's not really the kind of dad I want for MY child!

(4 stars) - Your guy MAY read this one!
I had my first child in April (2009) at the age of 41. She is my husband's first child too (he's also 41). I read all the serious books about pregnancy and the first year of a baby's life. I still do. Tired of all the seriousness I decided to give this book a chance. The author is funny. Even though I'm a woman reading things from a man's point of view I found myself laughing (even through his comments about the expanding belly of a pregnant woman). I'd love to say my husband read it too but, like many men, he wasn't into it. It has football themes as well as sci-fi references. This might get your guy into reading it. I also recommend it to women so maybe they can get a little insight as to what her guy is thinking as the pregnancy, childbirth and first year of life come about.

(5 stars) - Great for the dad-to-be
Ever watch the mother-to-be showered with gifts and not know what to get the slightly-lost guy? Pacify Me is a great choice. Somewhat an answer to Belly Laughs and some of the other newer women's comedy/mother titles, Pacify Me is approachable, funny, and helpful. Like Crouching Toddler Hidden Father before it, this book is done in quick, few-paragraphs-per-point style that makes it easy to slip into any lifestyle, no matter how busy.

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