The time that you are the most wonderful parent is, of course, before you have children.

Amiright?

You know exactly what to say and precisely how each situation should be handled.

You smirk at people struggling because the answers are so obvious and simple.

After a weekend around children, you will even talk to your spouse on the ride home about how you would have handled this or that differently.

See, this is the difference between a priori knowledge and empiricism.

Getting and MBA is not the same as starting your own firm in the same way that reading a book on parenting is not the same as being a parent.

Understand: You have no idea.

I say just take one day at a time.

Delight in the the day, in the small things people often overlook.

Celebrate every milestone you can think of.

Just love them, and bring with you buckets of grace when you do.

I was a wonderful parent before I had children. I was an expert on why everyone else was having problems with theirs. Then I had three of my own. Living with real children can be humbling.

-Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (Amazon)