what’s a parent to do?

you try your best to wade through the endless amount of parenting anectodes from more or less informed sources and as you’re attempting to sift through what makes sense for you and your baby you’ll often find yourself wondering where you left the handbook of authoratative information on your new bundle of joy.

a case in point. the the nov/dec issue of mothering magazine ( hey, look who is a month behind! ) has an article entitled “the craze for endless praise” with the tagline, “a child who is incessantly rewarded never learns the value or fulfillment of true accomplishment.” the article prominantly features quotes from the author of “The Optimistic Child” who essentially asserts that an “overabundance of praise” can actually contribute to depression.

normally i’m one to take any piece of advice that doesn’t have a scientifically grounded study to back it up with a Big Fat Grain of Salt.

but what if?

what if our exuberant exhortations after every one of little odin’s accomplishments is actually setting the stage for an inflated sense of achievement?

where is that dang authoritative handbook?