Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan
Dad is Fat was written by stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan, who I never really heard of…but is apparently known for topics such as Hot Pockets, bacon (who doesn’t LOVE bacon….oh yea, my wife 
), and McDonald’s. Gaffigan discusses his life as a father of 5 and the joys and pains of dealing with everything from cousins to circumcision, from toddlerhood to negotiating with terrorists. This is a book of short chapters or exposés providing insight, from Gaffigan’s perspective, the most common topics, reactions, and criticisms he hears when someone learns of his family situation. Gaffigan makes fun of his parenting ability stating, “He has virtually no training, skills or instincts on how to play this role,” and put all the skill on his wife, Jeanie, who he says is a phenomenal mother. Their children, Marre (8), Jack (6), Katie (3), Michael (1), and Patrick (newborn), keep mom and dad on their toes. As Gaffigan puts it, “failing and laughing at your own shortcomings are the hallmarks of a sane parent.”
), and McDonald’s. Gaffigan discusses his life as a father of 5 and the joys and pains of dealing with everything from cousins to circumcision, from toddlerhood to negotiating with terrorists. This is a book of short chapters or exposés providing insight, from Gaffigan’s perspective, the most common topics, reactions, and criticisms he hears when someone learns of his family situation. Gaffigan makes fun of his parenting ability stating, “He has virtually no training, skills or instincts on how to play this role,” and put all the skill on his wife, Jeanie, who he says is a phenomenal mother. Their children, Marre (8), Jack (6), Katie (3), Michael (1), and Patrick (newborn), keep mom and dad on their toes. As Gaffigan puts it, “failing and laughing at your own shortcomings are the hallmarks of a sane parent.”
The book begins with a letter from Jim to his kids:
At one point, Gaffigan apologizes to his kids (who will most likely read when they get older) for doing “that loud clapping thing with my hands”. I can see how that is annoying and can only hope that I don’t do the same. Luckily, I can’t remember my father ever doing that so I doubt I will, but Jim’s father did and he hated it, but did it himself and adds “It pains me in many ways. Most of the pain is because that loud, clapping thing actually hurts my hands.”
Gaffigan, as I hope most new parents, is determined to avoid parenting mistakes made by his own father. Gaffigan concludes that it’s unfair to lopsidedly judge his father and that his dad wasn’t mean but just trying to be a father the only way he knew how. “He taught me many things and gave me a work ethic that made me who I am today,” he writes, “a guy who would throw his own father under the bus in a book about parenting.”
“Parents, who want to be considered cool, give it up. Even if you put your three-year-old in a fedora, we all know you are still getting barfed on and wiping noses and butts like the rest of us. “as stated by Gaffigan. Wise words, as I was going to have Maya fashioned out and hanging out with her super cool dad. Though, the fact that I called myself a super cool dad probably voids me of being a super cool dad…but that’s okay I just want to be a good dad.
Quotables
- “Me get job me get woman me get woman pregnant now me she my mouth and wait for woman to tell me what to do.” Basically my life right now…kidding babe
- “Play dates are great for kids and most often incredibly uncomfortable for me, given my general dislike of human beings.” This is just a hilarious quote from the book that I can visualize being that uncomfortable for the parents.
- I think putting Maya to sleep will be easy (I’m joking), but Gaffigan identifies differently “Bedtime makes you realize how completely incapable you are of being in charge of another human being.”
- “My love of lollipops is not about eating them; it’s about how quiet they make children … If you ever take your kids to a situation where they must be quiet, bring lollipops. They’re like flavored muzzles.” What if we don’t plan to let Maya have candy? We can have high hopes right?
I am barely touching the surface of this book, there are just too many jokes, quotables, and key takaways for me to blog about. Dad is Fat is a great book for expectant first-time and new fathers, but is suitable for any parent. I highly recommend this book it is a light and quick read, with nuggets of experience. Oh yea, for my Walking Dead fans, there are many Walking Dead references…it made the book that much more enjoyable for me.
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