In The Beginning There Were No Diapers
Sep. 24, 2005 at 4:25 PM
Children
In the Beginning... There Were No Diapers by Tim Bete Everybody remembers their first days of parenting. But nobody remembers them with the humor and insight that Tim Bete recalls them in his new book "In the beginning...There were no diapers." I have read many parenting books, most written by women for women but this book articulates very well the perspective from a father.
In a very easy to read style without a lot of wordiness, (he obviously understand the attention span of a new parent) he offers nuggets of wisdom and advice on a variety of issues. They range from how to change a diaper on an airplane to getting rid of household pests. My personal favorite was chapter two, "How I determine the sex of our baby - The miracle of birth". He included special advice to fathers on how to handle the "fertility police". He shares my love of humor with a slight edge that makes a point. Here’s his answer when someone asked him if he knew whether he was having a boy or a girl.
"Yes," I replied with confidence. Then waited. After about a moment of silence she inquired "Well which is it - a boy or a girl?"Good insight from a father of 3 and a great answer to those difficult questions put to all of us with large families by strangers who feel no inhibition about asking us very private questions.
"I told her I hadn't decided yet. This left her perplexed until I launched into my high school biology lecture.
"The male of the species determines the sex of the offspring." I began in my best academic drone. "I am the male therefore, I decide the sex of our child. I will make up my decision sometime between now and when the baby is born." (I skipped a few biology classes but I think I got the gist of it.)
"Until our baby is born I can change my mind as many times as my little heart desires," I concluded.
The real proof of the humor in this book came one day when I walked in the door and found my oldest reading Chapter 13 "The Perfect Child - The Miracle of Christmas" to her siblings. They were all laughing hysterically outloud as she read Mr. Bete's slightly revised version of "Twas the Night before Christmas". You'll have to buy the book to find out what that's all about.
This is a delightful read and a great gift for a first time dad. But I am curious about one thing he doesn’t answer in the book...How did they get two bared bottomed babies to pose for the front cover without making a mess? Hopefully, there will be a sequel and we’ll find out that answers as well.
Note: The book "In The Beginning...There Were No Diapers" by Tim Bete was provided free for my review by Mind & Media. Make sure you visit her site to find out how you can particpate in this wonderful enterprise.
5 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by Anonymous on Sep. 24, 2005 at 7:22 PM
Spunky~
I would love to do this. However I read the qualifications on their blog. You have to know basic HTML codes. I have no clue on HTML. HTML came way after I graduated from college (I was a computer geek but no longer because children came!!). Any ideas on how I can learn basic HTML??
Thanks
Holly
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Sep. 24, 2005 at 7:32 PM
You have to know how to insert things into your template like I have on my sidebar. Pictures of the books and links to the websites. That is about it. I can coach you on how to do this if you want.
posted by smfeet2001 on Sep. 24, 2005 at 11:04 PM
I will try to email you using your contact link. Hopefully I can learn how to do that. I do not even know where the HTML codes are in my blog.
Thanks!!
Holly
posted by KarenW on Sep. 24, 2005 at 11:18 PM
This sounds like it would be fun. Do they send you just any book or do you always have a choice?
posted by parkwaymom on Sep. 26, 2005 at 6:13 PM
I was wondering the same thing about the photograph! I tried an adorable "Anne Geddes" shot with my first born son, only to have my dh throwing the baby towards my as I was behind the camera, not realizing he was getting a "shower"! LOL We never tried that again!