This morning I just finished reading The Dad’s Book - for the Dad who’s best at everything, by Michael Heatley (published by Michael O’Mara Books Limited). Described on the jacket as “a book of clever tips and practical advice on the art of fatherhood”, this small hardback is filled with short chapters containing mostly common-sense hints on how to cope with parenting children of all ages. I like a book with very short chapters. You can read it on a train or in the bath or whenever you have a few minutes to kill. It has some great sections in it including Things You’ll Never Hear a Dad Say. The title of this blog is one of those things and other phrases included in this section include “What do you want a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend” and my personal favourite “Here’s my PIN number and credit card.”

Some of the other chapters are useful too, like the one which explains in meticulous detail how to make a real longbow and arrows. Hmmm, I’m not sure that’s such a great idea for father/son bonding with Monty. Advice on getting the kids to bed on time and the ten best bribes are covered in catchily titled chapters Getting the Kids to Bed on Time and Ten Best Bribes. So if you’re a new father to be then it may be worth buying a copy of this. As I say, it’s light, entertaining and has some interesting facts and ideas.

Did you know, for example, that the legendary boxer George Foreman had five sons and called them all George? His daughters, Georgetta and Freeda-George weren’t spared either.

Anyhow, it’s a fun little book which would make a good present for a father-to-be - I bought it at Waterstones so I guess it must be available everywhere.

Right, I’m off to learn how to make a kite…

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