About The Author

1. The Dad Guide is sure to impact the life of a father and his children in a positive way!

2. The Dad Guide is inviting and easy to read. Dads will appreciate the tone, content, and format of this book.

A Message From The Author

Children are the expansion of life. It’s an honor to have them, and being a dad should be a joy. But sometimes the pressures of trying to fulfill responsibilities in both your professional life and parenting life become overwhelming. In The Dad Guide, author Edrid E. Tirado provides 1,001 quick tips and advice to help men on the parenting front.

          These short, straightforward suggestions cover a variety of themes ranging from love, fun, character, discipline, money, spirituality, virtues, responsibility, health, purpose, and more. Here are some of Tirado’s suggestions:

•  Assume that, at the very least, being a dad is going to be a full-time job from now on.

•  Be friendly with your children, but be a dad first.

•  Encourage your kids, encourage your kids, and encourage your kids!

•  Get eight hours of sleep at night as often as possible.

          The advice dispensed in The Dad Guide encourages you to be a better dad; to be a teacher of simplicity, kindness, respect, and forgiveness; and to foster accountability and responsibility. It shows you how to mentor your children, to listen to them and to laugh with them.

Introduction to The Dad Guide:

I’ve read many great books that provide great parenting advice, guidance, and techniques on how to raise great kids, but unfortunately many of these books will never capture the attention of many of today’s fathers. Every day I encounter dads that feel stressed out and maxed out trying to balance the responsibility of being a dad with their professional responsibilities and the many other responsibilities that are involved in raising a family. Many of these dads I meet are smart, well-meaning, dedicated fathers who are open to advice, but in light of their busy schedules, they prefer to receive it in short and to-the-point terms.

Not very long ago, one dad told me, “No offense, but just tell me what to try and save the rationale behind it.” In short, he’s a construction worker, nervous about today’s economy, and is reluctant to turn away any work. He says referrals have been dwindling. He describes a little turbulence in his relationship with his wife. He thinks it’s because of his long hours at work lately, and he says his daughter is growing up fast, and sometimes he just doesn’t know what to say to her. He has a nephew who has gotten into some trouble and is coming to live with him soon; he admits he has no idea where he’s going to start. We spoke briefly about his wife, daughter, and his nephew. I pointed out several things he’s doing right, made a couple of suggestions, and then I asked, “What are you doing to take care of yourself?” He could hardly stop laughing. That is why I’ve written this book in the format you are about to see, for dads all over the world just like this, who want to be the best dads they can be but who are struggling to juggle all of life’s responsibilities and who may never pick up a parenting book written in a traditional chapter format regardless of how good it is. 

The Dad Guide is a collection of 1,001 short and to-the-point suggestions that any dad can browse through—try a few or try them all. It is written, first and foremost, from my experience as a father of three wonderful children, as well as my experience as a felony and misdemeanor probation officer, a parenting course instructor, and a youth counselor. Additionally, many of the suggestions I present to you were inspired by the exceptional resources listed in the recommended-reading section of The Dad Guide. Some suggestions are very practical and easy to implement while others are concepts, intended to provoke thought and reflection. The topics in this book are all over the board—love, fun, character, discipline, money, spirituality, virtues, responsibility, health, purpose, perseverance, wisdom, and much more. Some suggestions overlap in theme and purpose. The reason for this is to present certain topics from differing perspectives. Not all these suggestions will speak to you personally, but if you find one that makes you a better dad, I’ve done my job.

Relax and read. You don’t have to worry about how and when to apply what you learn. The opportunities to apply all these suggestions will present themselves in their right time. Also, there is no sequence or theme clusters in the way these parenting suggestions are presented. Just like your relationship with your children, you never know what’s coming up next.

 

The first 25 suggestions on how to be a better dad as they appear in The Dad Guide:

1. You have no history to live up to. Start fresh today with a renewed focus on being the best dad you can be.
2. Assume that, at the very least, being a dad is going to be a full-time job from now on.
3. Do you ever find yourself looking and sounding more like your own father? Let that be a reminder that you shape your children more than you realize.
4. Be friendly with your children, but be a dad first.
5. Encourage your kids, encourage your kids, and encourage your kids!
6. Manners matter. One who is noticed for their social inabilities is less likely to be noticed for their unique abilities.
7. When you’re wrong, say, “I was wrong.”
8. Always remember that your children will learn the subtle things you live.
9. Encourage the demonstration of love in your family through actions as well as words.
10. Think of parenting as a constantly moving target.
11. Know your children. 
12. Be consistent in the way you discipline your kids.
13. If you’ve ever wondered what your children are going to do with their lives, remember, they’re watching to see what you’re going to do with yours.
14. Always give explanations—everyone is more invested in things they understand.
15. Dance around the house with your kids.
16. If you’re ever fixing a cement sidewalk in front of your house, let your kids put their handprints in it.
17. Offer your child more than just the mundane—diversify your life experiences by trying new things and going to new places.
18. When you’re communicating with your kids, ask if they feel as though they have been heard.
19. Don’t reject things you know nothing about.
20. Engage your children in activities designed to promote learning and the development of life skills.
21. Remember that to your child, you are the representation of everything that is strong and true.
22. When you take on any endeavor with your children, visualize the end right from the start. Your efforts will be more centered that way. 
23. Your TV has an off switch—usually somewhere near the lower front. Press it every now and then and turn on some music instead.
24. When your child is going through a hard time, think back to when you were his age. If you look at the situation from a “mature” point of view, you will not understand your child’s experience.
25. Know the difference between being in touch and being out of touch with your kids. Aim to understand their world; ask a lot of questions, and you’ll be more in touch.  

Conclusion to The Dad Guide:

You have just been presented with an array of suggestions and contemplative themes relative to your role as a dad. The fact you’ve taken the time to read The Dad Guide shows that you’re thinking about your relationship with your kids and that they are important to you.

          The next step for you is to make small and gradual lifestyle and parenting adjustments. Your kids should notice you’re taking a new approach in the way you interact with them, but they should not be shocked by the things you’re starting to do differently.  

           Use The Dad Guide in small doses. Keep it in a place where you will see it often, such as your car, your living room, or in the bathroom. Every so often, browse through a few pages and reflect on your life and on your kids’ lives.

            Remember that children are the expansion of life. It’s an honor to have them, and being a dad should be a joy. Be a teacher of simplicity, kindness, respect, and forgiveness to foster accountability and responsibility. Mentor your children. Listen to them. Laugh with them. Good luck raising great kids!

 Help me spread this message worldwide!