With the birth of my son on the horizon, I find myself overwhelmed with advice from well meaning family, friends and strangers.  Despite their good intentions, I promptly ignore 99% of what I am told in favor of knowing that fatherhood is a different experience for everyone — which depends largely on the type of father you turn out to be.

I recently picked up Walker Lamond’s Rules for My Unborn Son while browsing at a local bookstore.  For me the book is timely and also timeless — Lamond’s insights are curated wisdom from his father, thinkers, historical figures, adventurers, hard workers, sports icons, entertainers and his own experience of becoming a man.

In his own words, To get some things straight before I get old and uncool, Lamond’s Rules for My Unborn Son is a map for boys who aspire to become and live as good men.  Lamond’s rules are presented as a clever series of tenets that encompass all aspects of life that will take you on a journey from boy to man and along the way, Rules does its best to reinforce the essence of a good man.

The highlight of reading Rules for My Unborn Son is that it took me on a journey through my own life — I could remember exactly when (and how) I came to learn similar rules — and that following them (or not) had a significant impact on my life:

“You won’t always be the strongest or fastest. You can be the toughest.”

“Don’t boast about projects in progress. Celebrate their completion.”

“You are what you do, not what you say.”

Lamond’s Rules is a genuine and sincere attempt to impart worthwhile knowledge while shedding light on the many experiences a boy will have that shapes his outlook on life as a man.  Fathers, or those who would be, will enjoy Rules for My Unborn Son for its simple and practical thoughts and for the way it moves you and your son to explore the meaning of manhood.

Walker Lamond’s Rules for My Unborn Son can be purchased online and new rules are published regularly on the 1001 Rules for My Unborn Son .