Excerpt from Relate chapter of The Other Baby Book
Everyone and their grandmother will tell you what’s best for your baby. Then they’ll tell you how much it costs, and whether you can pick it up at your local toy store or ship it direct from Amazon. But the most important thing you can give your baby—the most nurturing, the most educational, and the one he’ll never grow tired of—is your love. This love manifests through your arms, words and songs, play, and most of all, your loving presence.
So please, don’t let anyone tell you that your baby can have it all for just $15.99. You can already give your munchkin the world—for free. And by giving your baby your complete attention, be it once a day or as often as you think of it, you also give yourself the benefits of living in the moment, of seeing the world with the wonder of your baby’s new eyes. So, dust off that goofy grin, throw your parenting books aside (yes, even this one), and do your best rendition of “She’ll Be Comin’ Around the Mountain” while you tumble with your little one on the floor. If you remember nothing else about this chapter, know this: you are the most important gift you can give your child.
So please, don’t let anyone tell you that your baby can have it all for just $15.99. You can already give your munchkin the world—for free. And by giving your baby your complete attention, be it once a day or as often as you think of it, you also give yourself the benefits of living in the moment, of seeing the world with the wonder of your baby’s new eyes. So, dust off that goofy grin, throw your parenting books aside (yes, even this one), and do your best rendition of “She’ll Be Comin’ Around the Mountain” while you tumble with your little one on the floor. If you remember nothing else about this chapter, know this: you are the most important gift you can give your child.