Some say that play is the work of children.

I agree. Sort of….

The developmental tasks accomplished through playing are what truly matter.

Equally important: What kind of co-worker are you Mommy? The hovering, scampering, secretarial type?  The strict foreman who keeps the trains running on time?  Or are you more of an over-qualified, underpaid, personal assistant to a diva?

Loving, and being loved, develops like any other life skills your baby will master over the course of the next 2 decades: She’ll first practice on you.

Unlike talking, testing boundaries, or taming her impulses, falling in love won’t wait.  It’s the first thing she needs to be able to do.

When it comes to parents and praise — let’s just say there’s room for improvement.

I’m not talking about the genuine awe to which parents (especially brand-new parents) succumb when they take a good, long, contemplative look at their offspring. Because infants come to us equipped engineered with strategies, reflexes, and tools that ensure their survival, they really are fascinating.

No doubt — they’re worthy of our respect, encouragement, understanding.  But daily applause?

… is to let him undress. Surely you’ve noticed that your kid agrees with me.

I’ll admit (because he won’t) that undressing seems to undo the point of getting dressed in the first place.

But your toddler isn’t confused at all. From his point of view, getting undressed always follows getting dressed.  I know you think the day should elapse before changing outfits, but he thinks an hour is long enough.