I have a cousin who has about 10 parenting books, all about a million pages long, and she read all of them! It never occurred to me to read parenting books. What about you? Did you read parenting books or go 100% by maternal instinct, or somewhere in the middle?

My cousin got accidentally pregnant so I think she felt like she had no idea how to be a parent so read these books.

Between parenting books, discussions on here, magazines, tv shows, and the many other areas in which parenting is the subject, it appears many people seem to believe there is usually one true way to raise children, their way.

How many parents, if they opt to breast feed are tolerable to those who bottle feed?

How many parents who have their children supervised nearly every moment of the day are tolerable to those who feel comfortable leaving them unsupervised, despite the age?

How many parents who feel their children must be walked to the bus stop/school are tolerable to those who opt to allow them to walk on their own?

How many parents who feel that scheduled sports/activities are certain this is the only way to keep children away from the evils of youth (drugs, alcohol, smoking, sex, etc) are tolerable of those who do not feel so compelled to follow suite?

Etc.

I’m not talking about you personally. I’m talking about parents in general as a whole. Do you think parents (even when their children are at a young age) practice foresight? Do you think parents really take that responsibility to heart–almost like a job–and do their best?

Now, I’m talking about you. How do you feel about parenting books in general? What is your main concern as a parent? Do you think the parents who do not take parenting seriously will some day have an effect on your own children?

I’m just curious. I’ve been noticing more and more my own awareness of parenting. I’ve been really nervous (as I’m sure many parents are) about what I do now and the effects it will have on my children later. By all means, I’m confident about my parenting abilities and I’m always trying to improve but it’s so hard to figure out fact from fiction when there are so many “experts” out there.

Do you choose to follow an "expert’s" advice? If so, which one and why?