My favorite books for modern day fatherhood

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m the founder of DaddiLife—the leading online platform that focusses on modern day dads, who are becoming more equalised in their day to day parenting. We’ve covered a range of different areas from early stage post partum and mental health for dads, through to new research projects on dads at work and young fathers. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over my time as a father myself is that there’s no such thing as perfect parenting, but there are lots of insights that can challenge our fatherly approaches for the better, both at home and at work.


I wrote...

You’re Going to Be a Dad!

By DaddiLife Books,

Book cover of You’re Going to Be a Dad!

What is my book about?

This book is my proudest achievement of DaddiLife so far, and was undertaken after finding that so many pregnancy books for dads still treat us as a secondary parent, and don’t go much further than ‘just don’t forget to put the beers away.’ This book is designed to be the ‘What to expect when you’re expecting’ for a modern generation of dads. 50 new dads and dads-to-be were interviewed as part of the book and it provides a whole community of dad’s experiences that goes deep into the challenges, joys, milestones, and events that dads will experience (e.g. early day nerves, preparing for labor, postpartum challenges, and more), as well as shining a light on what’s happening for partner and baby from pregnancy through to the first full year. 

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind

Han-Son Lee Why did I love this book?

This book changed my entire mindset when it came to bringing up my own child. Having been someone who was brought up in a very traditional (aka militarily strict!) manner, I didn’t really know any other way to be in my own life as a dad, but I always felt deep down that having a ‘just do as I say’ approach to parenting is so one dimensional and not reflective of true bonding. 

This book is fantastic at giving the insights into how a child thinks, the signals to watch out for, and also making you see things from a child’s point of view into having a much calmer and more open approach to parenting. I couldn’t recommend it more. 

By Daniel J. Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked The Whole-Brain Child as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this pioneering, practical book for parents, neuroscientist Daniel J. Siegel and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson explain the new science of how a child's brain is wired and how it matures. Different parts of a child's brain develop at different speeds and understanding these differences can help you turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child's brain and raise calmer, happier children.

Featuring clear explanations, age-appropriate strategies and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child will help your children to lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives using…


Book cover of Advice for Working Dads

Han-Son Lee Why did I love this book?

While there’s been a generational shift for dads at home, so much workplace culture still treats dads as a secondary parent, and our own research with Deloitte show’s just how many tensions with colleagues, line managers, and the whole organisation are still facing dads today. For so many dads, they’re stuck in the middle of wanting of be a great dad and having a great career. This book deals directly with that emerging fatherhood penalty, and carries great advice on how to manage that, no matter where you are in the organisation. It’s packed with tips, insights, and learnings from experts on dads at work, and is my dads at work bible.

By Harvard Business Review, Daisy Dowling, Bruce Feiler , Stewart D. Friedman , Scott Behson

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Advice for Working Dads as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

You can have a successful career and be the dad you want to be.

Finally, we've moved past the days when providing for your family meant taking a backseat role in your children's lives. Still, many of us aren't finding the support and flexibility we need, and the time-management challenge of performing at work while being a present dad at home can feel impossible.

Advice for Working Dads will help you balance and integrate your career and fatherhood, navigate always-on work cultures, and find success and fulfillment in one of the toughest&#8212and most important&#8212jobs you'll ever take on.

You'll learn…


Book cover of Work Like a Woman

Han-Son Lee Why did I love this book?

This is more than a book—it’s an incredible call to change, and in many ways the other side of the coin for the advice for working dads. 

Mary Portas has a strong insight here—that the patriarchy has driven much of what we see, hear, and feel as ‘the world’ today, and that to start to change that, we all need to lean much more into traditionally ‘feminine’ qualities such as cooperation, collaboration, and more to start to live humanities fuller potential. 

I saw Mary speak after getting this book, and it was a double whammy of incredible change. It’s one of the most inspiring books I’ve read in an awfully long time.

By Mary Portas,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Work Like a Woman as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'There aren't many books that can claim to change your life, but this one will.' Clare Balding

'A force for good, for change. This book will make you change the way you think. Mary is my hero.' Scarlett Curtis, author of Feminists Don't Wear Pink

Are you ready to be your best self at work?

Packed with advice, tips and decades of business experience from Mary Portas, this is a book for every one of us: whatever level you are, wherever you work.

It's about calling time on alpha culture and helping every one of us to be happier, more…


Book cover of Dads Don't Babysit

Han-Son Lee Why did I love this book?

I call this book ‘the big so what of modern day fatherhood’ as it’s the ultimate destination for where modern day dads can go and what we can achieve. 

James and David have crafted a compelling argument not just about how the world sees dads and the language used, but also sets a pathway toward true gender equality by challenging us about how dads can unlock so much more change across pretty much every facet of society, economics, and more.

By David Freed, James Millar,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dads Don't Babysit as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

By turns informative and irreverent this book takes a new approach to tackling gender inequality in the home and at work, focusing on dads being entitled to a bigger role in parenting. It presents the barriers men face to being active dads - from sexist security guards to Tory MPs and even Homer Simpson - and, crucially, it outlines how to tackle them for the good of men, women and children. In Dads Don't Babysit two dads outline some of the biggest problems facing families that want dad to get his turn at raising the kids, and offer a range…


Book cover of Good Night, Alfie Atkins

Han-Son Lee Why did I love this book?

Ok so after all the seriousness of pregnancy, dads at work, and gender equality you might be surprised that a children’s story makes my list about modern day fatherhood. This book is a gem, and does something really rare. It represents dad as the primary carer, and it also describes, through much adventure, cheekiness, and love, the type of dad bond and every night realisms that we feel and experience—even through the eyes of a child. I loved reading this book to my son as he was growing up in his toddler years, and even now if gets a little run out every now and then.

By Gunilla Bergstrom, Elisabeth Kallick Dyssegaard (translator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Good Night, Alfie Atkins as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An irresistible father-and-son team!

Meet Alfie Atkins. Like all four-year-olds, sometimes he is stubborn. Tonight he doesn't want to go to bed. Lucky for him, Daddy is being especially nice -- taking care of all of Alfie's bedtime needs. But Alfie won't sleep, and it isn't long before he succeeds in tiring poor Daddy.


You might also like...

Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

By Joy Loverde,

Book cover of Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

Joy Loverde

New book alert!

What is my book about?

Everything you need to know to plan for your own safe, financially secure, healthy, and happy old age.

For those who have no support system in place, the thought of aging without help can be a frightening, isolating prospect. Whether you have friends and family ready and able to help you or not, growing old does not have to be an inevitable decline into helplessness. It is possible to maintain a good quality of life in your later years, but having a plan is essential. Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old? Equips readers with everything they need to prepare on their own:

Advice on the tough medical, financial, and housing decisions to come Real solutions to create a support network Questions about aging solo readers don't know to ask Customizable worksheets and checklists that help keep plans on course Guidance on new products, services, technology, and resources

Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

By Joy Loverde,

What is this book about?

For those who have no support system in place, the thought of aging without help can be a frightening, isolating prospect. Whether you have friends and family ready and able to help you or not, growing old does not have to be an inevitable decline into helplessness. It is possible to maintain a good quality of life in your later years, but having a plan is essential. WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF ME WHEN I'M OLD? equips readers with everything they need to prepare on their own:

* Advice on the tough medical, financial, and housing decisions to come
*…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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