From Dude to Dad

April 7, 2014
Pegula (creator of Diaper Dude, a line of gear for dads) offers a dude-centric guide for expectant fathers. Any man who doesn’t identify himself as a “dude” may not be able to get past being constantly referred to as such or repeated asides about barbecuing or drinking. Dude language may also prove off-putting. Examples range from the silly such as, “I’m not going to get all... Dr. Philish on ya” to crude references to “your wang” and your wife’s “rad new set of jugs.” Men who embrace the “dude” sobriquet and who are planning a family may find some helpful hints in this “Pregnancy 101 from the dude’s point of view.” Pegula hammers home a few main points, chief among them being “it’s not all about YOU anymore.” Listening to your partner and being supportive features prominently, as does remembering whose life will be the most difficult over the next nine months, and providing your mate with compliments and massages. New fathers and fathers-to-be should be ready for new experiences—like housework. An adequate resource for dudes, with discussion of standard pregnancy milestones and baby prep, though nondudes may wish to seek advice elsewhere. Agent: Stacey Glick, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

May 15, 2014

Pegula, creator of Diaper Dude, "hip gear for cool dads," here offers a pseudocaveman guide to pregnancy and fatherhood. His adventures in fatherhood and baby gear began with an abhorrent selection of diaper bags, whereupon he decided to take matters into his own hands. The onetime actor and dog walker was not to be deterred, however, and not only embraced parenthood fully and is now the father of three, but started his own line of baby gear (think camo). Based on the philosophy that you don't have to lose your identity after you become a dad, the author covers such masculine-focused concerns as, "Will I ever have sex again?" and ahem, "Where do I fit in?" VERDICT While frequent he-man references to the reader as "Dude," and eye-rolling cliches such as likening sperm to "the boys," seem downright dumb if not merely immature, Pegula still offers fathers-to-be an accurate look at becoming a dad and an enthusiasm that is admirable. A solid selection for men on the journey to parenting who simply can't tolerate What To Expect When You're Expecting.

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