I second that... when we had my daughter, it changed me. I said this in another tread but I love doing everything with her. Playing tea parties, helping with her hair... braiding her hair. you name it.

She also does things I didn't expect... watching hockey on Saturday nights. We sit in front on the tv, each with a big bowl of popcorn and yell at the tv.

My son does these things aswell but his attention span is alot less. Can't even finish that bowl of popcorn!! My daughter loves to go fast, doesn't matter if it's in the car, on the bike or on an amuzement ride. My son is much more cautious... but he's usually running on his own power.

Bottom line... I wouldn't... no couldn't imagine my life without them. Now, everything I do IS for them and there is nothing I wouldn't do to give them what they need.

 

The books can tell you about the mechanical processes. Diapering, feeding, clothing, and such, but the emotional processes, for YOURSELF and your CHILD, are organic in nature. Nature VS Nurture is a falacy (sp.), IMHO. They both play equally important roles, I believe. Our nature is prewired and determines how we react/interact with teh nurturing we're given I base this on:

The number of books I've written on the subject (0)
The number of lectures I've given, and debates I've chaired (0)
The number of people who BEAT DOWN MY DOOR for advice, over the years (0)
The percentage of omniescence I possess (0%)
Silly wild-assed ideas that have popped into my head (18,927,789, 120, 098, 576.001)

As long as you understand that the books AREN'T be all/end all tomes, but, rather guidelines to help urge us in the correct direction.

Remember, NO Op plan survives 1st contact intact, and you'll be OK. The books being, of course, your Op plan...

 

I know the books wont teach me how to handle every situation, but I DEFINATLY need to learn as much as I can. I was kinda child phobic until recently. Unitl about a year ago, I thought kids wouldnt start walking until around 3 yrs old. [&o]

 

I just wanted to make sure you knew, and to give you a chance to be awe-struck at my extensive knowledge base (as listed)

Kids will AMAZE you, when you least expect it. My mother tells me I was walking at 7mos, but my twin sister dint start walking until she was almost 2 y/o... But, Mom says she useta BEAT ME with her bottle, so maybe I learbned to walk in order to escape

 

[sm=hail.gif][sm=hail.gif] Your knowledge of the bannana gun secured my being awe-struck I am sure as time goes by, there will be many ??'s I will shoot your way. A knowledge base as extensive as that will make the unknowledgeable flock to you like GDub to a foreign supply of oil. Oh, man, please dont let that comment turn the direction of this thread.

 

I knew what was going to happen, but wow does a child change your life! But i love it!