It’s ‘nappies to naptime’ in self-help guide by full-time father.
A Milton Keynes father has passed on his experiences of caregiving at home after releasing his debut book on being a full-time Dad.
Gareth Ellis, a writer and journalist, this week released ‘Dad’s the Word: Tips and Tales From a Stay at Home Parent’, a guide to life as a father of two children under two.
From nappies and naptime to snotty noses and sticky situations, Gareth unpacks his wild ride as the primary parent in this funny, first-hand look at surviving the stigmas attached to parenting and the perils of social media.
“It was a rollercoaster,” said Gareth, 39. “While those daily cuddles were the best, there were definitely moments I felt like I was starring in my own personal sitcom, and not always a good one. The comments at baby groups… 'Oh, are you on a day off?' and the perfectly curated Instagram feeds definitely made me question if I was doing enough.”
The book was officially launched at an exclusive event this week where Gareth was joined by the Founder of the Mindful Mama Club, Gemma Spinks, who delivered an inspirational presentation on her journey as a Mum.
He was then interviewed in a ‘Fireside Chat’ by the founder of WikiPlaces for Kids, and newly launched ICF-trained coach, Susie Lodge.
“I'm so glad I got to work with Susie because with the work she did with WikiPlaces for Kids, and now in her coaching career, she's helped, and continues to help, frazzled parents trying to balance everything, like me,” said Gareth.
“With Gemma, I’ve known her for years, and knew how much value she’d bring to the day, and she did so at such short notice too. I’m so incredibly grateful.
“My incredible wife Jessica was my rock, but I was determined to prove I could handle it all without adding to her load. This book is a shout-out to all the stay-at-home heroes out there. You're not alone, and your feelings are totally valid.”
‘Dad’s the Word: Tips and Tales From a Stay at Home Parent’ is available as a paperback, priced £11.99, and on Kindle.
