For many new dads, the responsibilities of parenting can both overwhelm and inspire. They can also hit at the strangest times. Just ask Oregon's Steve Tague.
"I was installing a washer and dryer in our new house and was going through the instruction booklet," he recalls.
"I came across the part: 'What to do if you smell gas.' Gas . . . babies. I thought, this is perfect."
Tague's epiphany resulted in Baby: An Owner's Manual (Broadway), a quirky new book that refers to infants as "units," breastfeeding as "filling" and diapers as "rear covers."
Released in time for Father's Day, this guide is for both parents, but perhaps appeals more to the Y-chromosome side, the ones more familiar with DVD players and socket sets than Dr. Spock.
Tague, who co-wrote the light-hearted manual with long-time friend Julie Long, says he was overwhelmed by parenting literature before the birth of his first son, Dakota.
"My feeling is that most of us have the natural ability to parent. We've been doing in for thousands of years and have done a pretty good job."
Most dads today are eager to be part of their children's lives, agreed Jocelyn Churchill, the perinatal education co-ordinator for the Calgary Health Region.
Courses such as Especially for Fathers and Baby and You give new dads (and moms) insight into common concerns, from delivery to diapers.
"They're invited to get their nurturing side going," Churchill says. "Some mothers, too, need to know that it's OK for fathers to help. They think (baby duty) is their job, instead of realizing they're really lucky to have that help."
Churchill says dads who attend her courses aren't afraid to ask questions. A common worry? Communication with the baby.
"They find that communication is still a two-way street. The baby has ways of telling if he's tired or if he's hungry."
Tague's book puts it this way: "Audio Alert: The baby's highly sensitive sensor system will detect the need for fuel, rear cover change, sleep or handling. Unit will sound an alarm as loud as 10,000 decibels. By process of elimination, you can then determine what attention your baby requires."
