Love, Dad: Confessions of an Anxious Father

A must-read for all new parents, Love, Dad, explores what it means to be a father in the twenty-first century.

The father of two young boys, Laurie reflects on how his own experiences have defined the kind of man he is and the kind of parent he would like to become. His stories – triumphant, funny and sad – draw on Laurie’s own childhood experiences and important relationships with family and mates, alongside the challenges of trauma and mental health shared by many men. This memoir openly shares how Laurie strives to overcome challenges – from breaking generational cycles to maintaining joy in work and parenthood – and how others fresh to parenting can learn from this authentic story of a new dad and his family.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

‘At times Love, Dad feels episodic, perhaps reflecting that pieces were originally written as stand-alone essays. Or was the writing done in stolen moments between parenting duties when the short chapters were the easiest to create? It gives the book a readable tempo, pulling you from one piece to the next. Steed is not offering up a how-to masterplan, but more the empathy of watching an apprenticeship as he develops two crafts. He draws it together with the last chapter “Accepting”, a present tense solution for his own worries, not the smugness of the past or an easy optimism for the future. Rather, he gives us a candid account of how he is making the contradictions of parenting and art making work.’ Arts Hub

‘Love, Dad is a funny, heartfelt, and authentic read, with a particular emphasis on male friendships and men’s mental health.’ Weekend Australian

‘It’s an honest and engaging book about being a parent to your children and also a child to your parents.’ Books+Publishing

‘This is a raw, relatable, moving and captivating read, and, as an added bonus, it exists as an inspiring gift to the world.’ Writing WA

‘If you’re a dad, a man, an anxious person or someone who just likes to laugh, or you know someone who’s any of those, buy it for yourself or for them.’ Emma Young Writes

‘Laurie Steed’s latest book, Love, Dad, is a moving portrayal of how one new father navigates the ups and downs of early parenthood.’ Australian Baby Boomer Podcast

‘The result is, as Steed puts it “not the book I set out to write”, but one that will no doubt be meaningful to parents and non-parents; a vulnerable, big-hearted memoir exploring fatherhood and family, perfectionism and connection, masculinity and mental health. It’s also about negotiating life as a parent with a creative vocation, and, as Steed writes, being an “anxious, loving father” to his two young sons.’ Play Magazine, Weekend West

‘Love, Dad is an open letter of gratitude to his sons for initiating him into a richer, more emotionally attuned version of manhood that fits his particular circumstances and deepens his relationship with his own father. This more nuanced self is not afraid to acknowledge his struggles, shortcomings and anxieties as a dad and a writer, while lovingly celebrating the wild ride of parenthood.’WAtoday

‘Triumphant, funny and sad … this memoir openly shares how Steed strove to overcome challenges – from breaking generational cycles to maintaining joy in work and parenthood … ‘ Perth Voice Interactive

‘Experiences of grief, love, death, self-discovery and mental health … it isn’t possible to convey the value that this vulnerable, engaging and utterly unique memoir has for perceptions of modern fatherhood in the space afforded here.’ Jen Bowden, Westerly Mag

‘A book which gently lets you know that it is okay to make mistakes, and to fail, and reminds you that the people around you are what matter the most. If you’re in need of a hopeful cry, head to this book. And then, call your dad for a chat.’ Emily Paull, The AU Review