Over the Thanksgiving meal, I offered my trusted copy of Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care book to my brother-in-law for his baby-to-be. Age applicability for my kids’ care has expired, so I thought I would pass this gem that I relied on so much, along. He wasn’t interested. Dr Spock is still sitting on my countertop. Spurned.
Maybe it was the $ .10 sticker from the last garage sale or maybe it was the teaser on the cover, “Revised and Updated for the 1980s†that detracted from the wealth of knowledge contained within. You can’t judge a book by its cover, duh!
Surely anyone could see that this book full of timeless guidance. It’s Dr. Spock! Need I say more? The thought did creep into my head that perhaps my brother-in-law was thinking it was the Vulcan Spock with pointy ears.
Convinced this was a classic, never to be outdated, I checked the “revised†introduction. It ends with, “I’ve always advised parents to respect their children, but to remember to ask for respect for themselves, to give firm, clear leadership and to ask for cooperation and politeness.â€Â Still sounds just like what the doctor ordered to me.
Live long and prosper!
