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[V-Adore]

Belated-ish congratulations to Carlos and family. Whatever you name the baby, may she be healthy and happy. (But "Aryan Justice" is not a good idea.)

[Pedro Picasso]

He smiles!

_______________________
Jubilation.

[Beatrice]

Oh crap, you people are using up all the Cute!

[arkabee]

oh my, that's quite adorable now isn't it?

[antioch]

Babies...millions of little babies...

[Pedro Picasso]

Recently bought the book On Becoming Baby Wise after three recommendations from parents I know.  I still haven't finished reading it.  Funny what kids will do to the amount of time you can spend reading about kids.  Noticed a few things kind of off.  One of the authors is Gary Ezzo, M.A.  But it doesn't ever say what arts he is the master of.  Early in the book, it basically says that two parent households are essential for child development.  And then throws a lame "but single parents are doing the best they can."

I liked the promises of regularity and kids that sleep when they're sleepy and only cry when something's wrong.  Also some of the statistics presented in the book (though they weren't backed up with names of journals or anything) were very reassuring.  JL now points out that the thing is written by a pastor and is widely dismissed by pediatricians as being worthless or dangerous.

I am a fool.  No matter how much I think on how a person can't trust the trusted sources around him, I'm still taken in by stuff like this.  I don't want easy answers, but I at least want to know that when my child can't fall asleep without us holding onto him, that's perfectly normal and not going to screw anybody up more than is necessary.

Also, easy answers would be nice.

_________
Dejected.

[Carlos del Vaca]

Our favoritest baby-wrangling advice book was Secrets of the Baby Whisperer.  Despite the British author obnoxiously trying to write British ("Your baby is fine, luv!"), it had good stuff.  She runs down the variations on baby cries and what they often mean (if baby is hungry, it'll sound such as this...), and behold they were largely right.

[AlohaDawg]

The more parenting I do, the more I realize that:

Nearly ALL the books are full of crap.

Also MOST other people are 1/2 full of crap.


If you are a normal, well adjusted person you will do fine for the most part following your instincts. Our race has survived for millions of years without trying to follow 100 disparate opinions about child rearing. Listen to yourself, we are hardwired to perpetuate our species.

In general, babies tell you what they need and want. Spend time with your child and you'll catch on quick. But that's the key - spending time concentrating on your child.

I agree that a two parent, opposite sex household is the ideal situation as long as they are in a functional relationship and sharing responsibility. That's not to say single parents or gay couples are bad parents but I believe that both gender viewpoints are important and that children model relationships after the one they see the most growing up.

[AugustWest]

If you are a normal, well adjusted person you will do fine for the most part following your instincts. Our race has survived for millions of years without trying to follow 100 disparate opinions about child rearing. Listen to yourself, we are hardwired to perpetuate our species.

I whole-heartedly agree.  This shit ain't rocket science, it's nurturing DAMMIT  !
Somehow gibbons, ocelots and chickens are able to sucessfully able to raise their offspring without a glib handbook.  If you have normal human instincts you'll be able to too.

The unfortunate thing is that so many humans with abnormal instincts have babies.  Thankfully nobody here falls into that category.

[CortJstr]

The unfortunate thing is that so many humans with abnormal instincts have babies.  Thankfully nobody here falls into that category.

Uh, we wrote 16460 messages about a comic strip. I'd hardly call that a normal instinct.

[Pedro Picasso]

Our race has survived for millions of years without trying to follow 100 disparate opinions about child rearing.

Thanks for the reassurance.  I think the main reason I feel the need for books is that I'm not living with an extended family where I'm constantly innundated with the wisdom of the ages.  I trouble with my instincts because my instincts generally involve eating tons of ice cream.  Still I love this kid so much, and I'm starting to get confident that I can provide what he needs.

I agree that a two parent, opposite sex household is the ideal situation as long as they are in a functional relationship and sharing responsibility.

I also think it's the ideal situation, but I wouldn't want a book ostensibly about child psychology to preach that to me because it is actually based on theology.  Also, he's a bit heavy handed about it.

[arkabee]

Also, he's a bit heavy handed about it.

like reading a pamphlet on how to treat snake bites, wherein every other sentence it says "the best way would have been not to have been bitten by a snake.  you should not chase snakes with rakes.  leave the snake alone, dude."

like, thanks man, but that doesn't help me with my asp problem right now.

[Va]

Spotted on Fark: Another unfortunate baby name.

[Limmo]

That hurt my brain, Va.  That really hurt.

[AlohaDawg]

Some people should not be allowed to play games OR breed.