I Always Wanted To Be A Dad - by Robert Nurden (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

It's just women who dream of having their own children, right? And if - for whatever reason - it doesn't work out, it's them who suffer the loss. Men just stand on the sidelines letting it all happen.

Hang on! Not quite true. Men get broody, too. Millions of men long to be dads and if that doesn't happen, the grief can hit just as hard.

The unexpected loss experienced by men who do not become fathers remains largely unacknowledged by society. In this ground-breaking and no-holds-barred exploration, the journalist Robert Nurden goes on a journey through his own hurt and regret, unravelling the complexities of life as a childless-not-by-choice man. Robert's story is accompanied by a series of remarkable testimonies from other childless men who add their powerful voices to his, creating a sense of belonging and community. At once hard-hitting, humorous and vulnerable, 'I Always Wanted To Be A Dad' shines a much-needed light on men without children. With this invaluable book, Robert ultimately uncovers the hope that is discovered in acceptance, and the realisation that a rich and fulfilling life can still lie in wait.

Review Quotes

Robert Nurden's moving book - which combines his own memoir of childlessness with testimonies from other childless men - shines a light on the loneliness, grief and exclusion of men who never had children. This powerful book is an essential addition to the literature of childlessness.

Annie Kirby, author of The Hollow Sea

A much-needed exploration from a childless-by-circumstance man as he unravels how and why his desire for fatherhood was thwarted. Tender, illuminating, angry, surprising and deeply vulnerable, it shows that behind every man without children is a complex, and until now, untold story.

Jody Day, founder of Gateway Women and author of Living the Life Unexpected

I love this book. With breath-taking honesty and eloquence, Robert Nurden has articulated the life of a man who is childless not by choice. It is a powerful reminder that it is time for men's voices to be heard. This brave and brilliant book made me want to lean forward and listen.

Jessica Hepburn, author of 21 Miles and The Pursuit of Motherhood

Robert Nurden guides us through his deeply personal thoughts and feelings about fatherhood and the intricacies of his relationships. He deepens his multi-layered emotional journey by including the voices of other circumstantial childless men.

Dr Robin A. Hadley, author of How Is a Man Supposed to Be a Man?

I loved this book. It is filled with humour, heartache, and the hard-won battle of accepting painful circumstances. I felt like Robert and I were talking face-to-face. A must-read.

Rob Hutchings, author of Downriver Nomad

Taking on the raw and undiscussed topic of involuntary male childlessness, this ground-breaking and necessary book is full of grief, regret and despair. And then the upward trajectory of its ending is all the more powerful, as we are left with a sense of possibility, hope and life. A wonderful book.

Guy Shennan, therapist and author of Solution-Focused Practice

Warmth and humour mixed with grief, regret and hard-hitting reality combine to create a compelling read, as Robert shares his thoughts on arriving at a destination he never expected or wanted.

Stephanie Joy Phillips, founder of World Childless Week

A timely and valuable contribution to a subject little talked about, let alone written about. Let's hope it helps to get childless men talking more openly about what can be a devastating hole in their lives.

Mike Carter, author of One Man and His Bike