BOOK REVIEW:
Early Fatherhood Development
by Jeff Yoder
Hysteria
Publications
1998 Available from LLLI, 20-7, $8.95.
Reviewed by
Brandel Falk
Jerusalem, Israel
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 16, No. 6, November-December 1999 p. 224
Jeff Yoder's book, Early
Fatherhood Development, will have mothers and fathers nodding, smiling,
and laughing. In the preface, he informs the reader, "Fatherhood
is more than wonderful, but let me tell you, in case no one has clued
you in, it's also total lifestyle shock." He discusses fatherhood
from pregnancy and labor ("if you have a choice, you definitely
want to be the man during labor") through food ("two- year-
olds never eat sitting down") and finances (the "hidden costs
of parenthood" include "guilt tipping" and "temporary
parental insanity"). He includes a short chapter on sex and an
even shorter one on mothers-in-law ("I have one, and she can read").
Each chapter of the book
ends with a quiz, but with a characteristic Yoder twist, he reminds
readers, "remember, you can always cheat. The answers are a, b,
c, or d, not necessarily in that order... Besides, there are no right
answers."
Early Fatherhood Development
is quick and easy to read. It is highly compatible with La Leche League
philosophy, although there is one brief mention of formula. Yoder tells
us about "breastfeeding 'advice' pamphlets" put out by formula
companies who "seem to have altruistically overcome the profit
motive to be sure you are fully informed about nature's perfect food."
Instead, he suggests, "if you are in fact looking for breastfeeding
information, and you are the person in the family with breasts, the
place to get it is clearly La Leche League."
The reader is also informed
about diaper changing ("the female of the species can no longer
be relied on to shoulder the entire infant waste management function
in society") and the cloth or plastic debate. Yoder discusses "The
Zen of Stuff" and presents "The Dead Mouse Time Prioritization
System." He teaches us that "your children are going to learn
by your example, but they get to choose which examples."
The final chapter is a collection
of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about fatherhood. Perhaps the entire
book is best summed up at the end.
"Fatherhood is probably
the greatest thing you will ever experience. You'll find everything
I said in this book is true, but it won't matter. You will totally love
it. It's hard to explain." Early Fatherhood Development demonstrates
the proposition that a good sense of humor is an essential component
in the adventure of parenting.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:29:33 UTC 2007.
