X-Post with Bureau:

Do we have any suggestions for a name for the new Great Write Way? "Volume II" or "Second chapter" are the obvious.

"Chapter Two: Twice upon a time..."

I don't know. I used Spock, because my own mother did, and she didn't kill me (and because she gave me the book at my baby shower). Lots of times, the pedi gives recommendations for sensible books.

where, after all, did you find out about Penelope Leach?

Hmmm. You've got a point there. And now I don't remember. Could be someone recommended her, or I seem to remember maybe seeing her on TV or something? But I've had her book since Jake was a baby -- 13 years now. She is that perfect balance of laid back and wise -- a lot of "not to worry, baby's supposed to do that" is in there.

And you're right about recs, too -- although there are friends I'll take them from, and some I won't, based, of course, on what I know about their parenting (or whatever the subject is).

although there are friends I'll take them from, and some I won't, based, of course, on what I know about their parenting (or whatever the subject is).

But that's my whole point! Observation, real life looking, can tell us the "what NOT to do" as well as the "what to do", and they're equally necessary, surely?

I used Spock, because my own mother did, and she didn't kill me (and because she gave me the book at my baby shower). Lots of times, the pedi gives recommendations for sensible books.

And, there you go: recs by people you know and trust on the subject of your kids.

The real problem is when people are not equipped to or are not comfortable enough to decide what is good advice/recommendation and what isn't.

Serial: can we finish this thread off soon, please, auteurs? Becaue I'm at Kinko's and I want to be here for the new thread and this is costing me a quarter a minute...

Observation, real life looking, can tell us the "what NOT to do" as well as the "what to do", and they're equally necessary, surely?

Yes, yes, that's it. I'm not being clear because a tiny person keeps opening the fridge and taking out the chocolate syrup. Grrr.

The real problem is when people are not equipped to or are not comfortable enough to decide what is good advice/recommendation and what isn't.

Yes, this, very much so. So the woman who raised you from a pup, or the doctor you're entrusting the child's health to on a macro basis, are generally pretty safe places to start, yes?

Unless it's my mother we're talking about. She did her best to kill me several times. I would take her advice on luxury hotels, but not on babies, if I wanted said babies to stay alive.