My family.

I love having a family.  Parenting is hard, but it’s also extremely gratifying.  In fact, amazingly, I can’t wait to have another kid.  After the months of sleep deprivation, you’d think you you’d be turned off to the idea of more kids, but now that things aren’t so crazy, just the opposite has happened.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Don’t read the “experts” and their silly parenting books.  They all disagree and contradict one another.  Most of the time, they’re just selling you something.
• All you need to do to understand your baby is to pay attention to them.  Try things out and go with what works.  Parenting is all about trial and error.  There is no one-size-fits-all solution to anything.
• Some babies sleep through the night, others don’t.  Eventually they all will, so be patience.  Patience is key.
• Baby’s like routine, and even if you don’t, you’ll learn to.  Routine makes life easier.  Some people have very strict routines.  We have a very lax routine, but even that makes a world of difference.
• Share the parenting with your significant other.  Take on as much as you can.  Give each other breaks.
• Have easy food around the house.
• Find a way to strike a balance.  Balance is good.
• Speaking of balance, your kid won’t have much once they start walking.  Try not to be too overprotective.  Don’t be neglectful either.

Kain's major subjects of focus at NeoConstant are international strategy; support of Israel; the failure of the international community to stop genocide; the spread of American power and democracy; historical analysis; and current events both domestically and abroad. He writes here, Newsvine and his blog, IndiePundit.