Tag: parenting

Don’t Die Dad by Mark Woodley Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A father struggling with depression and separation must find himself in author Mark Woodley’s “Don’t Die Dad.”

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The Synopsis

Don’t Die Dad

A Separated Father’s Journey from Devastation to Peace and Acceptance

🔥 A raw, powerful memoir of fatherhood lost—and the relentless fight to rebuild a life worth living.

Ten years after separation tore his family apart and ripped him from daily life with his children, one father is drowning in silence—grieving, addicted, unmoored.

With nothing left but a pair of hiking boots and a sliver of hope, he sets off on a three-day solo trek through New Zealand’s Southern Alps. What begins as an escape becomes a reckoning—with his past, his pain, and the man he’s trying to become.

What you’ll find inside:

🛑 Addiction, anger, and the silent suffering of separated dads

👣 A decade-long transformation through nature, therapy, and soul-searching

💔 Honest reflections on love, loss, fatherhood, and identity

🌄 A mountain hike that mirrors the climb back to self

💡 Hard-won insights into peace, resilience, and letting go

For separated fathers.

For men told to “be strong” and “move on.”

For anyone who needs proof that healing is possible.

This isn’t just a memoir. It’s a lifeline.

If you’ve ever felt broken, forgotten, or lost in the dark—this book is for you.

The Review

Immediately, I was struck by the author’s honesty and the visceral depth of their dive into their most painful and personal moments. The book serves not as an educational or step-by-step guide for any father or parent facing separation or divorce for the first time, but instead serves as a beacon to those living that reality that, through that struggle, perseverance is possible. The raw emotions and experiences the author brought to life on the page were both relatable and heartbreaking to read. They allowed readers who have lived through similar experiences to have their hearts laid bare on the page.

The balance the author found between storytelling with their experiences both in the past and on that transformational hike, and the lessons and experiences that made that trip so vital to their future, made this a compelling read. The relatively steady pacing of the book’s narrative elements allowed readers the time to connect to the author’s message. What stood out was how the author didn’t spend time disparaging their ex-spouse. The author was able to explore the emotional highs and lows of this journey without vilifying the other parent in this equation, and the self-reflective nature of both of their actions made this feel truly balanced.

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The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and captivating, author Mark Woodley’s “Don’t Die Dad” is a must-read nonfiction memoir. The honesty and the imagery the author infused into their writing allowed the reader to connect to the emotional elements of the author’s life, and yet still kept the reader engaged in the story of their life as well. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Mark Woodley – Father, Author, Entrepreneur, Advocate and Athlete

Mark Woodley is an Australian father, author, entrepreneur, GPS windsurfing competitor, and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of separated fathers. His memoir, Don’t Die Dad: A Separated Father’s Journey from Devastation to Peace and Acceptance, resonates deeply with men navigating the collapse of family, identity, and connection.

Mark’s story of fatherhood began like many—with joy and the dream of raising his children in a loving home. That dream shattered with a single text message, launching him into the chaos of legal conflict, emotional disconnection, and the grief of part-time parenting. Over the next ten years, he faced a collapse of self, a loss of purpose, and long stretches of silence from his children.

A self-employed professional in the health and nutrition industry and previous the cosmetic industry and advertising industry, Mark has spent over 30 years working with a variety of people and corporations. But business success couldn’t shield him from the emotional toll of separation. As his internal world crumbled, he returned to a teenage passion.

Windsurfing became his lifeline—restoring presence, physical resilience, and emotional strength. He went on to become a GPS Windsurfing Champion, proving his tenacity and reminding him that healing often begins with physical motion.

But the deepest transformation came through facing the shadows within: childhood trauma, addictions, emotional shutdown, and the ache of losing daily contact with his children. His journey through despair, recovery, and hard-earned clarity is captured in Don’t Die Dad, written over three symbolic days of hiking through New Zealand’s Southern Alps—a mirror to his decade of emotional reckoning.

Today, Mark is the founder of Separated Fathers Recovery, which hosts an online course: Always Dad: The Recovery Accelerator for Separated Fathers, a structured course grounded in lived experience, empathy, and growth.

Through his work, Mark champions legal reform, mental health support, and greater understanding of the father-child bond after separation. He looks to speak regularly on podcasts and panels about male vulnerability, rebuilding after crisis, and showing up with dignity—even when love is met with silence.

Mark lives in Perth, Western Australia and travels back to New Zealand regularly where Don’t Die Dad was written. He remains a present, committed father and a qualified voice for change—proof that from devastation, peace and acceptance is possible.

https://www.separatedfathersrecovery.com/

https://amzn.to/4pupuFA

Raised by Wolves, Possibly Monsters by Michael Swerdloff Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A powerful and moving story of the impact toxic masculinity has on those growing up and the way it drives others to become what they fought so hard not to drive author Michael Swerdloff’s “Raised by Wolves, Possibly Monsters”

The Synopsis

This is a story about a boy who wanted to be kind and loving but was raised by wolves and monsters who taught him to choose violence and aggression. As the boy grew to be a man, he wanted to be a protector of women but ended up being what girls and women needed protection from. He lied, cheated, and scammed his way through life until he couldn’t.

This memoir is his moving account of discovering healthy masculinity from the inside out. His journey has been sensational at times and unbelievable at others, but for many readers, it has been absolutely inspiring. Will the hungry wolves outlast the desire to be loving and beautiful? Can men truly change?

There is hope in witnessing the depth and commitment of a person willing to try to be better without knowing exactly how. This memoir captures one man’s struggle to transcend his past and imagine an entirely new future for himself premised on compassion, care, and advocacy.

We do not have to be what they did to us, but it’s our responsibility to do something about it.

The Review

The author’s story’s raw honesty and emotional impact were refreshing and memorable. The way the author can honestly depict and write out the painful experiences of his childhood, as well as the actions he himself took to continuously perpetuate this harmful lifestyle and the transformative experience of bettering himself, made this such a phenomenal memoir. The imagery found in his writing style and the importance of his ability to hone in on the conversational aspect of his writing, allowing readers to feel as if they have been having a true heart-to-heart with the author, made this an engaging read.

The true heart of this story is both the author’s transformative journey and the theme of toxic masculinity, and the impact toxicity can have on child development as a whole. The heartbreak of the author’s experiences in childhood, primarily his father’s actions, and the role addiction and toxicity played in his life were so poignant. The author never shies away rom the challenging moments, from his lying and cheating to his hospitalization in a mental hospital and the reformative path he found afterward in healing energy and Reiki as a whole. 

The Verdict

A remarkable testament to the power of forgiveness and transformation as one man shares his journey to overcome the toxic traits that defined his early life, author Michael Swerdloff’s “Raised by Wolves, Possibly Monsters” is a must-read nonfiction memoir. The way the author can creatively paint an image of each and every experience he shares and can find a way of bridging the gap between the lessons he grew up with and the path to better-helping others, especially women, after the way he acted in his youth, made this a stunning message of hope and the path of change that hope can provide. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

MICHAEL SWERDLOFF is an Ordained Minister of Natural Healing from The Seminary Training Program and a Reiki Master. His work is Brief Holistic Counseling/Coaching. Michael has received training from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Gottman Institute, and other revered teachers and healers. He has been a counselor, coach, social worker, community organizer, educator, writer, and DJ for more than twenty-five years. Along with his private practice, Michael is the Program Manager at Dance New England, a volunteer-centered non-profit that hosts dance events that cultivate a vibrant multi-generational community. Michael facilitates retreats in New England and globally. He lives by the water in Rhode Island, which is not an island.

Navigating the Shock of Parenthood: Warty Truths and Modern Practicalities from a mom with Twins by Kathleen Cawley Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Kathleen Cawley takes readers through the experience of parenthood as hundreds of parents share their insights, from finding a community as a parent to cleaning up after your kid and more, and also touches upon the historical sources of the most anxiety-inducing parenting imperatives people face to this day in the book “Navigating the Shock of Parenthood: Warty Truths and Modern Practicalities from a mom with Twins”.

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The Synopsis

Navigating the Shock of Parenthood, pulls together insights from hundreds of experienced parents. It organizes expert advice, and reveals the social and historical sources of some of today’s most anxiety provoking parenting imperatives. It also helps with a range of nitty gritty parenting challenges. Such as, projectile pooping (Real!). Dolphin training for toddlers. (Useful!) Or, how do I find community? What do I do when I find myself channeling the parent I never wanted to emulate?

A little insight and perspective will help you steer a course through the strange new waters of parenthood. With these tools you’ll learn to guide your family boat in a direction of your choosing rather than being swept along by outside forces. Navigating the Shock of Parenthood will help you laugh, build your village, raise your kids with joy, make decisions with insight, and work for the world you want your children to inherit.

If you’re struggling with new parenthood, you will find endless books on breastfeeding or potty training. However, there is almost nothing on the emotional and psychological challenges we face when we transition from adulthood to parenthood. Why are the joys of parenthood so heavily mixed with fear and angst? Where did “concerted cultivation,” come from and do you really need to buy into it? What is “the race to nowhere,” and how is it driving parents and children to anxiety. What has happened to modern American kindergarten, and is it a good thing?

Frankly, most parenting books also leave out many of the really difficult day to day challenges that parents struggle with. How do you to talk with young children about death? How do you manage problem relatives when kids and partners are in the picture? How do you parent a child who seems so different from yourself? How do you negotiate new life roles with your partner when society is pushing you heavily toward old stereotypes.

The challenges of today’s parenthood are real, and the first years are often so hard. We all need some help. Navigating the Shock of Parenthood is loaded with warmth, help, and support for this epic new adventure in your life.

The Review

This was a captivating and engaging read. The author did an incredible job of finding the perfect balance between educational reading material and personal memoir-style storytelling. The honesty and inviting nature of these experiences and stories and how they impact parenting as a whole were thoughtfully presented, and the overwhelming feeling of understanding that went with the guidance these stories brought to life was great to read. 

The sheer volume of information the book brings to light was incredible to behold. The author expertly divides these lessons and experiences into various areas of expertise, from the growing pains that go along with becoming a parent to the historical influences on what is expected of parents in this day and age, and advanced parenting tips that explore some of the common issues that parents will face in the earliest years of their child’s life. The way author hones in on things like how fatherhood has changed in recent years and the importance of having others in your life to become a support system while also acknowledging the importance of finding your own feet as a parent and establishing your own idea of what family looks like to you made this book so valuable to dive into.

The Verdict

Informative, thoughtful, and enlightening, author Kathleen Cawley’s “Navigating the Shock of Parenthood: Warty Truths and Modern Practicalities from a mom with Twins” is a must-read nonfiction read on parenting. The author expertly tackles the misconceptions and experiences that many parents have undergone, and the relatability and honesty with which the author writes will have parents and readers alike glad they picked up this book. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of this amazing book today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kathleen Cawley is a physician assistant who practiced pediatric and adult medicine for 18 years. She is the mother of 12-year-old boy-girl twins, and the author of Navigating the Shock of Parenthood: Warty Truths and Modern Practicalities – from a mom with twins. She also writes parenting articles for the Auburn Journal and regularly posts on Medium.

Kathleen married late in life, and having children was a struggle. After surviving five years of fertility treatment, her husband’s battle with aggressive prostate cancer, a post miscarriage stroke, a high-risk twin pregnancy at age 45, and an emergency C-section that veered into dangerous territory, Kathleen and her husband found themselves rather exhausted by new parenthood!

Soon, however, Kathleen began researching the social and cultural changes of the last 200 years with a new perspective. She realized these changes have radically altered the lives of children, and the goals of childhood.

In addition, over her many years of caring for patients, Kathleen was given a glimpse into the painful and difficult parts of people’s private lives. They shared with her their joys and sorrows whether personal, professional, or financial. With these shared intimacies in her heart, Kathleen found herself unable to see families, parents, and parenting without recognizing the reality of the powerful forces buffeting a family’s life.

A few years ago, Kathleen and her family moved from the cool, crowded, chaos of the San Francisco Bay Area to the unrelenting heat of the Sacramento summer sun. Currently, a fulltime at-home-mom and a fulltime writer, Kathleen is working on books about the politics of parenthood, parenting in the elementary school years, the new shape of fatherhood, and other issues.

https://kcawley.medium.com/about

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLW99V42/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F63885673-navigating-the-shock-of-parenthood%3Fac%3D1%26from_search%3Dtrue%26qid%3D6o2BXISqVa%26rank%3D1&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

Dear Arlo: Adventures in Dadding by Tom Kreffer Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Tom Kreffer returns with his unique brand of humorous and relatable anecdotes as he explores the first year of fatherhood in his latest book, “Dear Arlo”, the second book in his Adventures in Dadding series.

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The Synopsis

It begins immediately.

There’s no transition period, no trial run, no supervised training, no e-learning module and no simulation that you can f**k up as many times as you need to until you get it right.

As soon as the midwife hands you your newborn baby, you are responsible for keeping it alive.

Picking up moments after Dear Dory ends, Dear Arlo: Adventures in Dadding continues the story of one dad and his journal as he strives to survive the first year of parenthood, blundering his way through bottle-sterilising, night feeds and some cataclysmic nappy changes – all while a pandemic sweeps across the planet.

WARNING: ONCE AGAIN, THIS BOOK CONTAINS A LOT OF SWEARING

The Review

This was a brilliant follow-up to the author’s first novel, Dear Dory. Where the first book followed the journey of pregnancy and expecting to become a father, Dear Arlo expertly navigates the real-life feelings and experiences that one encounters in their first year of fatherhood. The humor and wit in which the author infuses his personality into the real-life experiences of being a parent for the first time.

From the first moments of bliss you feel upon holding your child for the first time, to the anxiety of getting your child home for the first time, forgetful trips at the market, and even those moments away from home at work, missing your family dearly, the author finds a balance between his humorous writing style with realism that touches upon the emotional experience parenthood has. 

The challenges and anxiety-ridden feelings that come up during that first year, in particular, are captured exceptionally, and yet the magic and excitement and love that comes from seeing your child grow is infused naturally into the narrative, making this story shine so brightly.

The Verdict

A remarkable, engaging, and thoughtful nonfiction read on parenthood, author Tom Kreffer’s “Dear Arlo” is a must-read of 2021. The unique thing about this book is that the author doesn’t write it like a “how-to” guide on parenthood or give instruction on how you should be a father. Instead, the book comes to life as a memoir-style narrative that gives a more personal and emotional touch to the subject. Heartfelt in its delivery, be sure you grab your own copy of this fantastic book today!

Rating: 10/10

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DEAR DORY REVIEW
Interview with Author Tom Kreffer

About the Author

Tom Kreffer is the author of Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be First-time Dad; Dear Arlo: Adventures in Dadding and the creator of the Adventures in Dadding Newsletter. He love Star Wars and Marvel movies and he has a degree in film and television that he strongly believes is worth less than a second-hand toothbrush.

He lives in Northampton, England with his family, whom he intends to exploit for many more story opportunities in the years to come.

Visit www.tomkreffer.com for updates on Tom, his books and his events

https://books2read.com/u/b5oBWp

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09G1V9WGF?tag=https://amzn.to/2NiJEoQ

Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be-First-Time Dad by Tom Kreffer Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A humorous and heartfelt exploration of impending fatherhood and the process of pregnancy from a husband and father’s perspective is brought to brilliant life in author Tom Kreffer’s “Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be-First-Time Dad”. 

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The Synopsis

Imagine discovering you’re about to become a parent, even though doctors told you the chances of making a baby were close to zero.

Now, a soon-to-be first-time father is charting a course through the perilous and choppy waters of living with a pregnant woman. He’s dodging hormonal right hooks, evading emotional explosions, saying all the wrong things (like ‘Are you okay?’) and trying to figure out how the hell you install a car seat.

Written as a journal to his unborn child, Dear Dory is the unfiltered, irreverently funny, honest and heartfelt account of one man’s journey to fatherhood as he contemplates his new identity as a Daddy and prepares for the responsibility of a lifetime.

WARNING: This book contains a truckload of profanity.

The Review

This is such a fantastic and honest read. The author brilliantly delves into the raw and honest emotions that run through an impending father’s mind throughout the course of a nine-month pregnancy. From the rush of nerves and fear of hoping when facing a pregnancy test to the changing health conditions of your pregnant wife, including her low iron levels, and the challenge of finding the right remedy to help their exhaustion, the author covers a wide range of both physical and mental (along with emotional) experiences throughout pregnancy both for his wife and himself. 

The tone and the pacing of this  book are what really stand out to me. The author’s truthful and humorous approach to the subject of fatherhood really makes this narrative relatable, and the fact the author promises that the book is not a must-follow guide on all things parenting, but instead an honest conversation on the author’s personal experiences throughout the pregnancy and looking ahead to fatherhood. Both parents and impending parents will be able to relate to the author’s story, as it is refreshing to see a father who not only seeks answers and hope for parenting but exudes a sense of optimism in his writing about fatherhood.

The Verdict

A heartwarming, engaging and eye-opening read for any father, parent or future parent, author Tom Kreffer’s “Dear Dory” is a must-read book on parenthood. The humor and wit the author infuses into his writing balances the honesty and hope that the author brings to the subject matter, and makes this a valuable as well as entertaining read that should not be missed. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Tom Kreffer has a degree in film and television and has worked in finance for over ten years. Dear Dory is his first book.

He lives in Northampton, England with his family, whom he intends to exploit for many more story opportunities in the years to come.

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https://www.bookbub.com/books/dear-dory-journal-of-a-soon-to-be-first-time-dad-adventures-in-dadding-1-by-tom-kreffer