I give you permission to rock that baby!

As I rocked Brooklyn to sleep last night I thought about how all the parenting books say to not do that. They suggest that children will become dependent on the rocking to fall asleep and that parents shouldn't shackle themselves to this routine. Um, huh? What kind of black-hearted fool writes these books anyway? I can tell you the author has never rocked a baby to sleep. If they had, they'd know how precious those few minutes are. They'd know that there's no better way to recharge after a long day. They'd know that babyhood is so brief and valuable that parents should take full advantage of any time you get to cuddle in the quiet of the evening, stroking baby's hair and rubbing her back, listening as her breathing grows deeper, smelling all her sweet babyness as she slips into slumber. If they had ever rocked a baby to sleep, they know they wouldn't trade these moments for all the Powerball winnings in the world.

In fact, I declare today "Rock A Baby" day. So tonight when you get home and are thinking about how frazzled you are and hear the news tell you how crappy our world is, take a few minutes at the end of the day and rock your baby. Live on the edge...ignore the experts. Allow yourself to enjoy the tender moments I'm talking about. If you don't have a baby, borrow one. You will feel so relaxed and refreshed. Well, until the kid's parent shows up and beats you to death.