I have to first admit that I was a tad skeptical about this book. My first thought was ‘sheesh’ more Gen-X’ers acting like this is the first generation to have kids…..EVER.
Not to mention there are quite a fair bit of books AND blogs out there that seem to follow this theme. Neal Pollack of Alternadad fame got a lot of coverage about this ‘phenomena’ already and the blogosphere has been awash with hipster and antihipster stories and arguments and the topic has been beaten to death.
But I have to admit, I have thoroughly enjoyed Punk Rock Dad.
I will also admit…that I have never heard of Pennywise or Jim Lindberg.
I am not and never have been a punk. Skater punk or otherwise. I did see Sid and Nancy though. Does that count?
I was always a more preppy-new wavey-goth girl. I listened to Front 242, Ministry and The Revolting Cocks. The most ‘dangerous’ I got was checking out the mosh pit at Lollapalooza or at a Front Line Assembly concert.
I cannot tell you how cool the thrill I just got watching my little girl rocking around the house when I ‘You Tubed’ my old fave’s. My music collection from this era consists of TAPES and VINYL! Go ask you mom’s about that!
Anyway…..I digress. Suffice it to say, I had to go look up the guy.
But it really doesn’t matter. The book is fresh and honest.  If it is narcissistic, it is only in his own honesty at where his mind was pre and post kids about his uncertainty’s and mistakes.
He seems like a really nice guy.
Infact, it actually filled me with much uncertainty about my OWN parenting since he seemed to actually really have it together. More than me for sure.  He has a nice house that sounds relatively organized and clean, which is more than I can ever say. He even has a mini van!
So a punker can do better than me. With THREE girls.
I have got to get my shit together.
Maybe my husband needs to right a book about being a nerd/movie/comic/geek/writer and dad. Â Perhaps that is the key!
The book is a fun and light read…..He avoids or at least skims the usual “comedyfest” of delivery stories and poop….covers it and then moves on. He is honest and forthright about his dislike of diaper changing instead of succumbing to the usual sitcommish joke fest of ‘golly gee, I am a dumb male’ routine.
Thank you Jim.
I enjoyed the book because it was nice to read about what being a parent is all about in the 21st Century. We don’t all have 9 to 5 jobs. We don’t all listen to mainstream music or watch American Idol (no offense to those that do).
Punk Rock Dad is a tale about what being a parent is all about today.
Yes, we may all be kids at heart and all hanging on to our youth. Yes, we may bore our children to tears with ‘our’ music and ‘our’ tv shows and movies…..we may still like to dance and party…..we may still like to read comics….and we are parents.
We are the grown ups of this generation.
Watch out.
I almost picked that book up a few weeks ago. I’d never heard of the guy either, but I enjoyed Alternadad, blog and book, and Punk Rock Dad looked like an easy lunchtime read.
I hear you on the Gen-X thing. I’m not a parent, but fall right smack in the middle of the demographic. It’s like, “Hey, I’ve got a kid, but I’m still cool. I am still cool, right?”
I think I might actually read this book. Hmmm, I might want to pick it up before our vacation. My only real chance to read is if Hubby drives.
I am glad it is different than what has been going around. It seems that he is just doing what has to be done. Do you get the impression that he was trying to be the cool parent or just being a parent? I love the book cover.
I think your husband should write a book from that perspective. I mean we keep hearing from all the hipster parents, what about a parent that is a little off the radar. I would read it. There you sold one book, you are on your way, baby.
I would like to read a book from an “older father”. Say in their early 40’s(life my husband). I am so sick of the “Yummy Mummy” and “life as a parent in high society New York” books. It seems to be the only thing out there. I just think that there are older parents out there who are stumbling through and cant really get a hold on their feelings. Anyway, the ones I meet dont feel they fit in anywhere.
Okay, enough.
Who you calling a grown-up!?
🙂
Great review Crunchy! I enjoyed this so I have no clue about any of the things you mention (‘cept for American Idol – hee hee, which my girls and I bond over every season).
I would like to read a book by a parent who has a messy, trashed house, wants to run away at least once a week.
Ooops, the word so should be ‘though’.