Time to Vent (male pov)

[Simpli-Fi]

How many dad's read all the parenting articles there wives send them?

Only a 100 billion dads have raised kids without the Internet...not sure why all of a sudden I'm an a$$hole because I don't really care what some mom with a keyboard said about whatever with her children living in bumfawk.

(Sorry moms...it doesn't interest me in the least)

[Jaguar Paw]

Not sure if you just want people that agree with you to comment so if so, I apologize. I have a near 5 month old and have been reading articles for nearly a year now. My theory is that yes, although dads have been raising kids without the internet for some time now, the internet and all the information on it can help me quite a bit. People were also getting rich and being frugal without the assistance of the internet as well, yet here we are reading articles for advice.

[moof]

Make it clear you prefer to discuss parenting style face to face, and make it a priority to do so.  We probably discuss things about an hour or so a week on average.  Sometimes it is initiated because of an article, sometimes because a behavior that is new, or due to discussions with other parents.  We stay on the same page and there are very few surprises as to how either of us parents, or our long term kiddo plans.

[arebelspy]

My wife reads WAY more parenting stuff than I do.  Books, online articles, etc.

We have a deal: I will read anything she thinks is very important, after she's read it.  She may read 20 parenting books, and recommend her top 3-5 to me to read.  Ditto parenting articles.

I requested that she set a high bar for quality or importance (sometimes it's low quality, but brings up a point she wants to discuss--we almost always discuss anything we mutually read to be on the same page, parenting-wise).  She is respectful of me by doing that.

I think read every single thing she sends me.  I am respectful of her by doing that.

She knows I am willing to read anything that she thinks is important.  I know she is not going to send me things that she considers a waste of time.

We communicated about this early (before the baby was born--i.e. when pregnancy articles/books started), and it's worked out great.

It often goes the other way, too, when I run across parenting tips (on Lifehacker, for example) that I send her.

It sounds like you need to have an open and honest communication with your wife around what you are, and aren't willing to do.  If she sets the bar a bit higher on her filter to just send the most important stuff, and then you commit to being willing to read whatever she finds important, you might be able to reach a common ground where you're both respectful of each other.

Right now (and this could be totally wrong, but based on the very limited information you gave us), it seems like she's possibly being disrespectful of your time by forwarding you every single thing out there, and then being upset if/when you don't read it, and you're being disrespectful not reading things she wants you to.  If instead you can find a way to make it work for both of you, that would be ideal.

Because right now, the rant you posted indicates to me that it's not working.

[Metric Mouse]

Yeesh. No wife, but my partner doesn't send me parenting info unsolicited.  Not sure why she would just email me random articles. If there's something she wants to discuss, she talks to me.  I'd be grumpy too if I was expected to read every fashion by mayhem post or scarymommy blurb.  If I have a problem with the snowflake, I'll research it. If there is no problem, I don't spend time scouring the internet looking for something to fix. At least not child related. :D

[arebelspy]

If I have a problem with the snowflake, I'll research it. If there is no problem, I don't spend time scouring the internet looking for something to fix.

You don't think there are things that can be done better that you aren't even aware could be done differently?

The book Mindset comes to mind.  Before you understand the fixed v. growth mindset, the language you use can be SO limiting for a child, and cause them to become all sorts of unmotivated, fearful of challenges, etc. 

There's no problem, per se.  They may be a straight A student, in fact!  But that in itself could be a problem for them, in the future.

There can be things to improve on, even if there's no obvious "problem."

Think, for example, of someone with very little debt who is saving 5-10% to their retirement every month, and just the standard car loan and mortgage, no CC debt.  By regular society's standards, they're doing fine, great even.  They could be sent an MMM article and rant about how if they had a financial problem (lost their job or got into massive debt) they'd search the Internet for a solution, but otherwise they're not going to go looking for something to fix.

My response would be the same.  There's not necessarily an obvious problem, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to improve, or that things couldn't be way better.

IMO, it's worth opening your mind a little on potential improvements that can be made even in situations where there's no major problems.  Especially given the impact it will have on a life, and especially given that many things you want to implement way ahead of time, before there's any problem.  If you're trying to deal with something that's become a problem, it may already be too late.

Just a thought.  :)

[Metric Mouse]

If I have a problem with the snowflake, I'll research it. If there is no problem, I don't spend time scouring the internet looking for something to fix.

You don't think there are things that can be done better that you aren't even aware could be done differently?

No.

[Anatidae V]

My wife reads WAY more parenting stuff than I do.  Books, online articles, etc.

We have a deal: I will read anything she thinks is very important, after she's read it.  She may read 20 parenting books, and recommend her top 3-5 to me to read.  Ditto parenting articles.

I requested that she set a high bar for quality or importance (sometimes it's low quality, but brings up a point she wants to discuss--we almost always discuss anything we mutually read to be on the same page, parenting-wise).  She is respectful of me by doing that.

I think read every single thing she sends me.  I am respectful of her by doing that.

She knows I am willing to read anything that she thinks is important.  I know she is not going to send me things that she considers a waste of time.

We communicated about this early (before the baby was born--i.e. when pregnancy articles/books started), and it's worked out great.

It often goes the other way, too, when I run across parenting tips (on Lifehacker, for example) that I send her.

It sounds like you need to have an open and honest communication with your wife around what you are, and aren't willing to do.  If she sets the bar a bit higher on her filter to just send the most important stuff, and then you commit to being willing to read whatever she finds important, you might be able to reach a common ground where you're both respectful of each other.

Right now (and this could be totally wrong, but based on the very limited information you gave us), it seems like she's possibly being disrespectful of your time by forwarding you every single thing out there, and then being upset if/when you don't read it, and you're being disrespectful not reading things she wants you to.  If instead you can find a way to make it work for both of you, that would be ideal.

Because right now, the rant you posted indicates to me that it's not working.

^this is what we do. It is not confined to parenting either. I used to just send DH anything, because I didn't understand the importance of time & filtering. Now we both understand the importance of each others time and respect it, and I'll often summarise an article in a conversation or select only the relevant chapter in a book and ask him to read it, or as a reminder to discuss the topic. It works much better, and I'm sure he could have written the OP a few years ago!

[arebelspy]

If I have a problem with the snowflake, I'll research it. If there is no problem, I don't spend time scouring the internet looking for something to fix.

You don't think there are things that can be done better that you aren't even aware could be done differently?

No.

Wow.

I suppose I thought I knew it all once, too, when I was closer to your age.  Give it a decade, and I you'll probably see there's a lot of stuff you don't know.  :)

Maybe not though, what do I know?  ;)

[Metric Mouse]

If I have a problem with the snowflake, I'll research it. If there is no problem, I don't spend time scouring the internet looking for something to fix.

You don't think there are things that can be done better that you aren't even aware could be done differently?

No.

Wow.

I suppose I thought I knew it all once, too, when I was closer to your age.  Give it a decade, and I you'll probably see there's a lot of stuff you don't know.  :)

Maybe not though, what do I know?  ;)

Us young pups have it all figured out. ;)  Perhaps when I'm your age I will worry about problems that haven't happened yet and go search for solutions to issues I didn't know existed. Or perhaps not. Probably I'll still believe that better is such a subjective term in areas like parenting that I will feel little need to compare myself to others in that area. When you've been retired for as long as I have and spent as much time traveling the world and seeing as many parenting styles as I have, you'll probably begin to see that there are things some people can't do, and won't do, and shouldn't do.

Maybe not though. ;)

[arebelspy]

Perhaps when I'm your age I will worry about problems that haven't happened yet and go search for solutions to issues I didn't know existed.

It has nothing to do with looking for problems, and everything to do with becoming better at something.

When I want to learn a skill, I proactively research it.  I don't wait for problems to crop up (because, like I said, a lot of times by the time a problem arises, you've already past the point where you could have made it better, especially with something like raising a person).

Poor analogy: If I wanted to build a house, I wouldn't just grab some boards and a chainsaw and figure "I'll google it if a problem arises."

My parenting skills weren't, and aren't up to snuff, but by reading what I have, and learning what I have so far, I feel much more confident and able to handle situations should they arise, and interact with my child in ways that will be beneficial for both of us, and our relationship.

[Metric Mouse]

Perhaps when I'm your age I will worry about problems that haven't happened yet and go search for solutions to issues I didn't know existed.

It has nothing to do with looking for problems, and everything to do with becoming better at something.

When I want to learn a skill, I proactively research it.  I don't wait for problems to crop up (because, like I said, a lot of times by the time a problem arises, you've already past the point where you could have made it better, especially with something like raising a person).

Poor analogy: If I wanted to build a house, I wouldn't just grab some boards and a chainsaw and figure "I'll google it if a problem arises."

My parenting skills weren't, and aren't up to snuff, but by reading what I have, and learning what I have so far, I feel much more confident and able to handle situations should they arise, and interact with my child in ways that will be beneficial for both of us, and our relationship.

Hey, good on you. I wasn't the one ragging at how you handle things.

[arebelspy]

Hey, good on you. I wasn't the one ragging at how you handle things.

If you think I was "ragging" on you, you completely misread me.  I apologize if I came off that way.

Tone on the internet is tough.

Perhaps give it a few days, and reread what a wrote in a friendly manner, with the smilies and such that I tend to put.  :)

[Metric Mouse]

Hey, good on you. I wasn't the one ragging at how you handle things.

If you think I was "ragging" on you, you completely misread me.  I apologize if I came off that way.

Tone on the internet is tough.

Perhaps give it a few days, and reread what a wrote in a friendly manner, with the smilies and such that I tend to put.  :)

Nah. Thank you for the suggestion! :D

[erutio]

How many dad's read all the parenting articles there wives send them?

Only a 100 billion dads have raised kids without the Internet...not sure why all of a sudden I'm an a$$hole because I don't really care what some mom with a keyboard said about whatever with her children living in bumfawk.

(Sorry moms...it doesn't interest me in the least)

Sorry, but you're wrong here.  There have not been 100 billion dads before.

[CarrieWillard]

Ok obvious question, have you asked your wife to stop sending them?

I for one respect a man who says, "Hon I know you mean well, but I am not reading the articles you send me. I trust you to stay informed and let me know if there is a big issue we need to discuss."

Posting here instead of direct communication with your wife is fruitless and the resentment damaging to your relationship.

[Tark]

Hello all. Long time lurker first time poster. This is the topic which caused me to sign up.

Think of it from a different point of view. If someone came up with a better way to hammer nails would you do it or would you tell the person to bug off because "100 billion [men have hammered nails] without the Internet"? I'm sure most people would poke around to see if the technique was viable.

Your SO is trying to reach out to you on what she thinks is an interesting topic of conversation or idea and you have just shut her down. That's not even flirting with a$$hole territory as you put it, you're squarely in it. The internet is a wonderful invention to expand your knowledge and capabilities in any direction, that's why you're on this site. Granted the internet also allows for some real stinkers too. But fuck man, talk to your wife about it. Maybe one article or topic a week is the limit for you, that's fine. However, your SO won't know unless you talk to her about it. Read the article then broach your feelings after. Otherwise as CarrieWillard pointed out you'll just build resentment on both sides.

[LiveLean]

As the father of two boys, 13 and 11, the best advice I can give is constantly pick the brains of parents you know who seem to be doing it right. This will continue indefinitely. I'm in the process of talking to parents about local high schools since we have an eighth grader. I wouldn't care about what some parenting magazine/blogger has to say. I go to the best sources I know.

[Cpa Cat]

I feel like we need some context.

How frequently does she send you links?
Is it about a single parenting issue, or a whole gamut of issues?
Are any of the links from reasonable sources, or is it all just mommy bloggers?
Is she doing this because she wants to talk about parenting, and thinks doing it this way is non-confrontational?

If anything, I would think that reading an occasional link might lead to an interesting conversation between you and your spouse.

Yes, I read (or at least skim) everything my spouse sends me or even that he likes on his Facebook page. We frequently talk about the content, which we have both read. We don't always agree on it. That said, he doesn't explode junk reading at me like the annoying vegan friend I had to hide, or my brother who is finding it hard to let of Bernie Sanders. Maybe my perspective would be different if that's what I had to deal with.

[daverobev]

Hello all. Long time lurker first time poster. This is the topic which caused me to sign up.

Think of it from a different point of view. If someone came up with a better way to hammer nails would you do it or would you tell the person to bug off because "100 billion [men have hammered nails] without the Internet"? I'm sure most people would poke around to see if the technique was viable.

Your SO is trying to reach out to you on what she thinks is an interesting topic of conversation or idea and you have just shut her down. That's not even flirting with a$$hole territory as you put it, you're squarely in it. The internet is a wonderful invention to expand your knowledge and capabilities in any direction, that's why you're on this site. Granted the internet also allows for some real stinkers too. But fuck man, talk to your wife about it. Maybe one article or topic a week is the limit for you, that's fine. However, your SO won't know unless you talk to her about it. Read the article then broach your feelings after. Otherwise as CarrieWillard pointed out you'll just build resentment on both sides.

Mm, but what about the low information diet? How much do you need to optimise?

If I can hammer a nail in, and it holds up whatever I wanted it to, who cares if a nail gun would've been quicker?

Now, children are not nails, of course. But there is so so so much information, so many experts, with so many wildly different methods. If you have a working one, probably focus on something else (like doing all the other shit you need to get done while your child is napping). I mean, you can critique everything. My cousin does "good behaviour" rather than "good boy/girl" - associate the good and bad with behaviour, not the person. It makes perfect sense, and we do that too! But if you tried to get me to change every phrase, every mannerism, every action, I'd go mad, and we'd end up killing individuality.

Humans aren't perfect. Fix the big problems, be self aware, and give yourself a break with the rest. I'm trying to accept that I'm an at least OK parent, despite... well, everything.

[NUF]

One of the most important things for kids is consistency. It's hard for them to know what to do or expect if it changes based on the parent in charge. It's hard for you and your wife to have consistent responses to situations if you haven't discussed if beforehand. Is your wife using parenting articles to try to broach some of these discussions? Or are you guys already having these discussions?

Clearly your wife wants you to get something out of these articles; something she feels you are missing. As your co-parent and mother of your children, it's totally fair for her to have an opinion on how your parent. Perhaps you talk to her about what that is.

[BlueHouse]

You don't think there are things that can be done better that you aren't even aware could be done differently?

Us young pups have it all figured out. ;) 

Hahahaha. Used the wrong pronoun. Bet you didn't even know that did you? 

[Metric Mouse]

You don't think there are things that can be done better that you aren't even aware could be done differently?

Us young pups have it all figured out. ;) 

Hahahaha. Used the wrong pronoun. Bet you didn't even know that did you?

Bless your heart. Thank you!

[Milizard]

You know the saying:  opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.  Same goes with parenting articles.  I'd seek out articles for specific problems encountered, but not with how to build a better mousetrap, er I mean kid.  If you read too many articles, you start chasing all of the latest trends, which can drive you batty if you let them.

That said, maybe your wife has a problem with something that you're doing.  Maybe these articles are hinting at the fact she doesn't agree with your fathering style.  I suggest talking to her about it in a calm, open-minded and straightforward manner.

[CarrieWillard]

That said, maybe your wife has a problem with something that you're doing.  Maybe these articles are hinting at the fact she doesn't agree with your fathering style.  I suggest talking to her about it in a calm, open-minded and straightforward manner.

This.

Perhaps the emails are her way of broaching the subject in a non confrontational way?

[Tark]

Hello all. Long time lurker first time poster. This is the topic which caused me to sign up.

Think of it from a different point of view. If someone came up with a better way to hammer nails would you do it or would you tell the person to bug off because "100 billion [men have hammered nails] without the Internet"? I'm sure most people would poke around to see if the technique was viable.

Your SO is trying to reach out to you on what she thinks is an interesting topic of conversation or idea and you have just shut her down. That's not even flirting with a$$hole territory as you put it, you're squarely in it. The internet is a wonderful invention to expand your knowledge and capabilities in any direction, that's why you're on this site. Granted the internet also allows for some real stinkers too. But fuck man, talk to your wife about it. Maybe one article or topic a week is the limit for you, that's fine. However, your SO won't know unless you talk to her about it. Read the article then broach your feelings after. Otherwise as CarrieWillard pointed out you'll just build resentment on both sides.

Mm, but what about the low information diet? How much do you need to optimise?

If I can hammer a nail in, and it holds up whatever I wanted it to, who cares if a nail gun would've been quicker?

Now, children are not nails, of course. But there is so so so much information, so many experts, with so many wildly different methods. If you have a working one, probably focus on something else (like doing all the other shit you need to get done while your child is napping). I mean, you can critique everything. My cousin does "good behaviour" rather than "good boy/girl" - associate the good and bad with behaviour, not the person. It makes perfect sense, and we do that too! But if you tried to get me to change every phrase, every mannerism, every action, I'd go mad, and we'd end up killing individuality.

Humans aren't perfect. Fix the big problems, be self aware, and give yourself a break with the rest. I'm trying to accept that I'm an at least OK parent, despite... well, everything.

The low information diet is neither gospel nor an excuse to be annoyed with a wife, SO, or friend who is presenting a point of view the person found interesting enough to want to share. Oil Patch Adams is not actively seeking the information his SO is providing it to him. While his tone is one of exasperation at the amount she's sending him he did not provide a number or rate, only a hyperbolic quality. There could be several articles a day or once a month for all we know. The parenting articles may not interest Oil Patch, but that does not excuse him from talking with his wife after he read the article to let her know his thoughts on the article and feelings about reading parenting blogs. His wife is not asking him to do something that will risk life, limb, or eyesight, or is illegal, immoral, or unethical. In a similar vein, MMM has a post from a few years back specifically geared to presenting information to help a spouse/SO embrace frugality. Here it is: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/03/22/selling-the-dream-how-to-make-your-spouse-love-frugality.

We agree on the point nails are not children. I was bringing up the analogy not to show one had to change because of some new information, but the information presented the opportunity to research, discard, or incorporate the method as one saw fit. Extending the efficient hammering analogy though, if the method could save me time that's time I can put toward other activities or getting paid more because I can hammer more nails. I could also choose not to research the new method and if my coworkers incorporated the new method and are outperforming me I could be out of a job. Similarly, if there's a better way to parent I owe it to my child(ren) to at least take a gander. There will never be a perfect parent like you said dave, but one only has so much time before a child is grown. That does not mean I'll change with every passing blog post or fancy pants celebrity parenting book, yet, if my wife wanted to point something out I would give her the courtesy of viewing the information because it could be I am being left behind as a parent.

[StarBright]

I tend to send my DH parenting articles when I feel like he isn't listening to my thoughts/concerns on parenting our munchkins.

Sometimes he doesn't listen to me but he will listen to "experts".

Have you just asked your wife why she is forwarding so much stuff?

[Simpli-Fi]

Thanks for the replies, like I said I just needed to vent.  I'm out of the country where my friends are, living with in laws in an over crowded house, and my wife was 9 months pregnant and I couldn't even pick a night light correctly..."because I don't read mommy blogs"

Sitting in a hospital room with two beautiful daughters and my amazing wife laughing quietly to myself at the person who registered on a finance forum to reply to my venting.

I don't currently live in the US and have been to countries where kids who are of "fancy pants daycare" age are walking the streets with machetes to hack into coconuts and such; extremely strange how many kids had and could use these tools without an adult in sight and in mainstream America we are scared to let our kids walk to the end of the driveway.

I will take the recommendations to heart and be more open minded.

[hoping2retire35]

If I have a problem with the snowflake, I'll research it. If there is no problem, I don't spend time scouring the internet looking for something to fix.

You don't think there are things that can be done better that you aren't even aware could be done differently?

No.

Solon, you are not.

[cacaoheart]

I read more parenting articles/books than my wife and get frustrated how virtually all of them are written from the POV that they're either for women or are being read by a man under duress, ie: "We know you're only reading this because your wife nagged you to do so".

I've seen very little material that starts from the POV that men are equal partners with a genuine interest in raising their children, and can imagine many guys not being too into reading something that has such a dismissive view of them, feeding more into the cycle of many men refusing to read such material.

[hoping2retire35]

Thanks for the replies, like I said I just needed to vent.  I'm out of the country where my friends are, living with in laws in an over crowded house, and my wife was 9 months pregnant and I couldn't even pick a night light correctly..."because I don't read mommy blogs"

oh, thats your issue. and you have two daughters. You have done this before...

[moof]

One of the most important things for kids is consistency. It's hard for them to know what to do or expect if it changes based on the parent in charge. It's hard for you and your wife to have consistent responses to situations if you haven't discussed if beforehand. Is your wife using parenting articles to try to broach some of these discussions? Or are you guys already having these discussions?

Clearly your wife wants you to get something out of these articles; something she feels you are missing. As your co-parent and mother of your children, it's totally fair for her to have an opinion on how your parent. Perhaps you talk to her about what that is.

+1.

It is also probable that these articles are a sign your wife really wants to be a good parent, and wants support as she figures out what your combined parenting philosophy is going to be.  I can sympathize that there is SO much garbage out there written in over the top styles to get more traffic, so it is easy to decide that for you tuning it out is the better option than reading a dozen different contradictory articles one each bit of child rearing minutia.

Talking face to face helps a lot.  I had a lot of assumptions as to how my wife would approach parenting, and plenty were wrong headed.  We have also had subjects where neither of us was happy, and it turns out we each had made the identical wrong assumption as to how to handle things, and both had been fulfilling each others imagined wish.  Crazy stuff.

[Anatidae V]

I read more parenting articles/books than my wife and get frustrated how virtually all of them are written from the POV that they're either for women or are being read by a man under duress, ie: "We know you're only reading this because your wife nagged you to do so".

I've seen very little material that starts from the POV that men are equal partners with a genuine interest in raising their children, and can imagine many guys not being too into reading something that has such a dismissive view of them, feeding more into the cycle of many men refusing to read such material.

That's a really good point. I've read books and blog articles that made me want to shake sense into the author. And I'm the wife, getting offended at how they're being disrespectful to my husband! Its a sexist attitude, different direction to what I normally face.
>.<

[Tiger Stache]

I get the point, but you need to talk to your wife. I have enough real life friends to talk to that I don't read mom or dad blogs for unsolicited tips, so i get what you're saying, but posting on a message board doesn't help you or your wife.

[Metric Mouse]

For anyone who has ever felt like they have to alter the way they parent due to some stranger's blog post or a random's posts on an internet forum:

Fuck Changing Yourself

[englishteacheralex]

When I first had my son, I read the entire internet of parenting blogs/articles. Hormones combined with sleep deprivation and a feeling of inadequacy/inexperience as a parent made this seem like a good idea. The parent learning curve is so steep when you didn't grow up around kids. It's tempting to get sucked into all the dogma out there about breastfeeding, baby-wearing, sleep-training, etc.

Two years in, I now read BOOKS (not internet articles) on parenting that strike me as well-researched and worthwhile; probably about three or four/year.

I think Arebelspy has it right on in his replies about how there are always places to grow as a parent, but there is also so much information out there on parenting that contradicts itself and my own values and common sense. It can be crazy-making and for the most part I avoid all mommy blogs at this point.

My mom's advice of "this too shall pass" has always stayed with me as a pretty awesome mantra for parenting. Yeah, it's oversimplified and doesn't apply to every situation. But on the whole, it works pretty well as a coping mechanism and a germ of truth.

One thing I will report on that I've gotten from the parenting books I've read that I never would have figured out on my own is the importance of echoing back/articulating a child's feelings to him before I redirect. I can hear a lot of hard-core parents scoffing at this idea, but it really works well for tantrums to get on the child's level and articulate "you're mad! You're really mad because ___________! You're so mad!" for a little while before putting him in time out/getting him to do something else. My son always stops crying and just stares at me like, yeah! You get it! I'm so pissed off right now! He now will stop himself a few seconds into a tantrum and say "I'm really frustrated with my blocks! (or whatever)" and not even keep crying.

I remember how resentful I used to feel of adults writing off my feelings/immediately trying to get me onto something else. So that tip (it's in a few parenting books) really helped, as well as the growth mindset thing Arebelspy pointed out, which as a teacher I'm very familiar with.

[arebelspy]

That's a good tip, thanks Alex.  I've read it before, but I really need to start putting it into practice more.

[acroy]

Entertaining topic by Oil Patch Adams. Sounds like he does not have a kid problem, he has a spouse issue re: communication/coordination.

As far as the universe of parenting blogs/articles, cripes most of them are hogwash. Some are impassioned, entertainingly written, might make you feel inadequate or inspired... and are useless or worse.

Maybe some day DW and I will get around to writing our own. We'll point to our gaggle of well-adjusted, healthy, good-attitude, zero-tantrum, occasionally useful, money-making offspring as credible evidence of a successful system ;) Till then, good luck ya'll wading through the mire of poor information.

[Tark]

Sitting in a hospital room with two beautiful daughters and my amazing wife laughing quietly to myself at the person who registered on a finance forum to reply to my venting.

At least I was good for something. :D

[arebelspy]

Till then, good luck ya'll wading through the mire of poor information.

I've had very good success reading top rated books that people here often recommend.

Big fan of Duct Tape Parenting, for example.

[Metric Mouse]

Entertaining topic by Oil Patch Adams. Sounds like he does not have a kid problem, he has a spouse issue re: communication/coordination.

As far as the universe of parenting blogs/articles, cripes most of them are hogwash. Some are impassioned, entertainingly written, might make you feel inadequate or inspired... and are useless or worse.

Maybe some day DW and I will get around to writing our own. We'll point to our gaggle of well-adjusted, healthy, good-attitude, zero-tantrum, occasionally useful, money-making offspring as credible evidence of a successful system ;) Till then, good luck ya'll wading through the mire of poor information.

There's an article I might read.