“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?”  Benjamin Franklin

As a parent-to-be or parent, there is a dizzying range of websites and books to help you on the path to inevitable zen-like perfection, creating a perfect, well balanced prodigy, and rested, serene Mum and Dad. Such books will seem a distant memory or a cruel joke as you view (with love) the mini borderline psychopath even the most wonderful of our progeny can become from time to time.

Moreover, some seem aspirational to the point of unrealistic, although of course our crack teams of round the clock nannies, chefs and doulas, plus endless time off help matters enormously. My wife and I had the Gowri Motha books Gentle Birth Method and Gentle First Year. While the books contain a wealth of empowering, informative advice and insight, the ability to follow such an intense regime holistically would require the patience of a saint and discipline of a drill sergeant (mercifully for Dads, the lion’s share pertaining to the expectant mother). I remember mid-pregnancy reading Motha’s overview of that stage for diet and detoxing with the nagging thought that herbal teas, infusions, no sugar, wheat or any manner of other guidelines may not be entirely compatible with my wife’s rigorous (and utterly successful) policy of carrying at least one fruit scone in her bag or secreted upon her person at all times in case of emergency. Indeed, most scones contain a large percentage of all forbidden in each restorative bite.

For Dads, there are many which will help us to be the empathetic team players our wives crave rather than the confused, insensitive clods they are inevitably lumbered with much of the time. One favourite, though, is Walker Lamond’s Rules For My Unborn Son. Written (as is the website it was inspired by) with a slant more for the other side of the Atlantic reference wise, it’s a joyous, and often deceptively profound trove of gems to pass on to your boy, should you have one. Regardless, bon-mots like Franklin’s above, and the like of ‘Keep your word’ are ones which offer great perspective and, let’s face it, can stand us all in good stead regardless of age.