Yesterday, I opened my paper to read yet another parenting article that's painfully obvious but yet tries to make it's content sound new and exciting. It accomplished this remarkable feat by adding a few different terms and yet more 'syndromes.' Complexity is obviously in. Why? Well, the more complex you make something the more avenues for profit it opens up. You only need to visit your local bookstore to see just how complex parenting has got. There are literally hundreds of books lined up on everything from how to potty train your child in a few...hundred easy steps to a confusing array of ways to help your child go to sleep. On the radio and TV we are bombarded with commercials for DVD's on how to raise kids or 'must have' items for today's modern parent. It makes you wonder how parents got along before modern marketing came to our collective rescue.

Yes those were the dark old days and now that we've been thoroughly enlightened, what comes next, I wonder? Maybe parents will get so worn out and confused traipsing through the minefield of parenting advice that some guru will come to our rescue with a way to parent that doesn't actually include dealing with the kids. A robot perhaps, that we can program up front to respond to our own child's inner whims before he even knows he's got them. Well that would fit with our society, wouldn't it? I mean, who wants to wait for something? Far better that we get what we want before we even know we want it. Oops, I see a problem on the horizon with the robot idea. The good news is I can spot the problem, which must mean I'm a visionary but the bad news is, I can't program the DVD player, let alone a robot.

Ok, so what is a parent to do when faced with all this often conflicting parenting advice? Now, I'm going to suggest something really amazing here. A parenting plan that will have you singing in the aisles. Something that I could definitely put on the market for three easy payments of $29.95. What is it you ask? Here it comes.....guts. Yes, that's it. Gut instinct. And I mean it in both senses of the word. Having the guts to follow through on tough decisions and listening, really listening to your gut instinct. Humans, aka homo sapiens, have been on this planet for some hundred and sixty thousand years and it's only in the last few, that so many people have become lost in a maze of confusion when it comes to the kids.

So parents, put down those advice books or if you must delve for knowledge at least stick to one and instead listen to your instincts. They are there, I promise. Deep down that little voice drones on and on and all you need to do is turn up the volume. Does that mean that you'll never have questions or want to seek advice? Of course not, but it will certainly help you become more grounded and when Junior reaches for the chocolate bar in the Safeway, you'll know just what to say. And as for me, I'll just keep looking for a book deal and TV spot!