The
back of this book bears a warning: "Caution: This book is FOR
MEN ONLY! It contains secrets about child-rearing only a father should
read..." As a mom and grandmother, I must agree that the advice
and wacky suggestions this book offers up is truly for men only. Any
mother who steals a quick glimpse into this book might stamp her feet
and wholeheartedly disagree with the humorous advice given regarding
the post hospital visit from mother-in-law, for instance. But new
fathers will probably carry this book in their briefcase all the way
into the men's restroom at work. It will be passed around in brown
paper bags and shared only with a promise to pass it on to the next
expectant father on the block.
StorkNet's moms
have relished in the humorous truth extolled from the pages of The
Fourth Trimester, so in fairness, we need to share this wacky guide
"created for the undertalented, unappreciated pinch-hitting utility
man of team parenting." Author Walter Roark gives an inside view
of this role called fatherhood, and adds humorous suggestions, ideas
and tips, some with a slightly unbelievable but wacky twist in the
form of questionnaires.
The fun starts
straight from the birthing suite as readers take 'Pop' quizzes, learn
the "Art of Being Anonymous," exercise "poopulation control," explore
Newton's unknown laws of infant feeding, examine the perils of infant
tyranny, and experience The Leaning Tower of Babble on display daily
in the den. Keeping
the Baby Alive flies to the finish with a step-by-step guide to
the mysteries of baby games, secretly passed down mother to
mother through millennia.
Sample questionnaire
from the book
Question: You
come home late from a hard day at the office and find Aunt Ethel camped
out by the crib, teaching your little boy how to say cute things like
"boo-boo" and "pee-pee." Should you? (a) Politely state that those
words are slightly silly and you'd prefer it if Baby didn't learn
them (b) Inform Auntie that hearing "pee-pee" makes you sick to your
stomach, then prove it on her robe (c) Smack Aunt Ethel in the face
and tell her to mind her own business (d) Say, "Son, the correct usage
for those words is 'injury' and 'urinate.' Please make a mental note."
The answer is, of course, (d). Because answer (a) would cause family
friction, (b) would create a scene and (c) would provoke a lawsuit...
(d) is the only possible alternative.
Keeping
Baby Alive is illustrated by the author's own daughter, Megan.
You can write to father or daughter right on their
website. This lighthearted and humorous book makes a fun and
very tempting gift for any expectant father!
Book
review by StorkNet Staff
To Purchase:
• Keeping the Baby Alive Till Your Wife Gets Home at Amazon.com
• Keeping the Baby Alive Till Your Wife Gets Home at Amazon UK
• Keeping the Baby Alive Till Your Wife Gets Home at Amazon Canada
