One trend I’ve noticed in the parenting world is that there are many books out there written for parents in general. There are a lot of books written with the mom in mind. There are even many books written with men in mind. However, there aren’t many books written to dads. That’s what I wanted Dad Tired and Loving It To Be because quite frankly, I am a dad and I am tired. In some ways it is that book, but in some ways it isn’t.

I first became aware of the Dad Tired Ministry because my wife listens to a podcast called Risen Motherhood. She heard about Dad Tired through them and I became intrigued. In full disclosure, I am not a regular listener to the podcast, but when I found out there was a book coming out by the same name, I had to check it out.

The ministry is run by a man named Jerrad Lopes. He founded the Dad Tired Ministry. He’s an author and speaker. He and his wife and three children live in Portland Oregon.

In my opinion, Dad Tired and Loving It is half the book I want it to be and half the book that I think we already have a lot of. Half of the book is challenging men to be good dads with practical wisdom and great stories. The other half is challenging men to be men of God, which you can find in a lot of other books. I suppose when the subtitle is Stumbling Your Way to Spiritual Leadership, then I should have known this was not going to be all about being a dad.

Don’t get me wrong, men need to be challenged to be men. There is a lack of the godly men Lopes describes in this book in the church today. We need more challenge. We need more men stepping up. I just think Dad Tired and Loving It is maybe a misleading name for the book I wanted.

Lopes’s aim is for dads to find their story in the bigger, more purposeful story of God. That is indeed why men need to be challenged to be godly men. He says, “Sometimes as tired dads, it can seem like our only objective is to survive the day. There have many nights where I’ve laid my head on my pillow and tried to think about what I accomplished as a parent.” I can give that a resounding amen.

Lopes later says, “On the other hand, if all you gain from this book is a bigger picture of the gospel and God’s work throughout the world, it will be worth it.” This is the goal of the book. It’s a goal many men need and need to hear. It is not what I thought I was getting, but as a thesis, Lopes realizes his purpose.

From what I have read, Lopes has a big audience. I don’t think I am who he was writing to and I didn’t get with this book what I expected. I am sure, and hope that many who follow his ministry will love the book and support his work. It is a message men need to hear. That being said, it is not the practical book to dads in the trenches that I was hoping for. It’s also not the book on biblical manhood that I’d choose as a go-to recommendation.

I will end this review with some of Lopes’s wisdom that we should all agree with. “I think if Jesus were standing with us tired dads today, he would call us to some hard things as well. He’d invite us to die to ourselves. He’d tell us to lay down our lives to serve the ones he’s put in our households. He’d demand that we put away our childish ways, grow up, and follow him wherever he heads us.” Yes and amen.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My husband read the book and this is his honest review:
I have been listening to the podcast from Jerrad for a while so I was interested to find out if the book is as my expectations. It is inspiring to hear and read "Dad Tired" inspiring men to be the spiritual leader in the home. This is something many men are struggling with. We need to grow in this area.
It is a very practical book, packet with examples and advises. Helping us to grow as a father, husband and follower of Christ..
Pieter Dros

I’ve followed Jerrad for a couple of years through his Podcast and social media platforms, even though I’m a woman and his ministry is heavily geared toward men. I have always enjoyed his fun personality and solid Biblical truths. This book didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed reading it and recommend it as a must read for all Christian men (and women).