BOOK REVIEW: In the Beginning... There Were No Diapers

by Brandon Jubar

Adjectives and Anxieties

Think of an adjective and it can probably be used to describe parenting. Joyous? Frustrating? Fulfilling? Stressful? Exhilarating? Exhausting? Syndicated columnist and popular Catholic writer Tim Bete covers them all, serving them up with a liberal dose of hilarity that will have you laughing out loud!

Whether you're a parent or not, In the Beginning... There Were No Diapers: Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood will take you on a merry adventure into the world of those wild beasts known as "children". Through sleepless nights and days filled with anxieties (such as the Was-that-really-my-child-that-just-shouted-this-is-boring-right-in-the-middle-of-the-sermon anxiety), Bete is your deadpan guide on this wonderful journey. With tongue firmly in cheek, he enlightens the reader on a great many subjects, from potty training to flying first class with a five-year-old. Before I knew it, I could not only explain the meaning of "botta bing, botta boom" but also share a great number of ways to use it effectively.

Parents Need to Laugh

Bete seems to know that parenting is extremely important stuff, but that doesn't mean it's not full of ironic incidents, mirthful moments and hilarious happenings. In the Beginning... provides a perspective on parenting that many folks could use, illuminating the comical nature of everyday struggles faced by parents everywhere. I smiled, I laughed, I was uplifted and inspired.

As I read Bete's book, I was pleased to note a subtle sense of faith woven throughout the stories. And while he brings his faith to the forefront at times, he avoids pontification and never presumes to lecture. (Besides, who wants to be lectured to by someone who once suffered from Our-baby-looks-like-Blackbeard-the-pirate-my-son-is-missing-and-so-is-the-permanent-marker anxiety?)

There is more than enough stress in the world today -- raising kids shouldn't make it worse. So if you're the parent of a young child, or if you know someone who is, pick up a copy of In the Beginning... There Were No Diapers, and let Tim Bete show you the humor and joy of raising children. We all need a good laugh!

Copyright 2005 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.