re: Wife and I are going to have a son. Need advice from parenting gurus of the OT.

Congratulations, I have 2 sons. My advice:

1. Don't let the fact that you are uncomfortable with the topic keep you from having very honest conversations with him.

2. Always respect his mother in his presence. Don't marginalize his mother's opinion. You won't always agree as parents, but find a way to compromise on decisions.

3. He will not be perfect and that is OK.

4. Understand that there is a fine line between discipline and doing something that breaks your son's spirit.

That's about all that I can give you at the moment. Congratulations again, raising a son will make you a better person. I know it did with me.

Don't be an a-hole, discipline your kid.

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good in theory, not sure how you would raise a kid in this climate today truthfully. It is absolutely bonkers, it is like bizarro world out there.

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Your statement makes it more important now than ever. I've got two teen boys and I remind myself that I am training them to be men. It is just that simple.

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My advice for parenting? frick everyone else's advice. Use your parental instincts. If your parents didn't fail raising you then you be fine. It's impossible to prepare for bringing a kid home. It'll change every single aspect of your life.

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This. All of this. I was never concerned with what other people thought of how I should raise my son. We have a 7 month old, so still new to this myself, but my wife constantly goes to other people and and BOOKS on how to feed him, do this, do that. That's all fine and dandy, I'm not going to fight her on any of that.

But when it comes to raising my son, I know how I want to raise him. No one else is going to tell me otherwise. I want him to respect his elders, respect women, respect rules/boundaries work hard, have fun, and be successful in whatever he chooses to do.

OP, You probably already have an idea of how you would like to raise your son. Go for it. Because in the end, you are the one raising him, and someone, maybe many ones, will criticize it. It's just the way the world today. So if you are going to be criticized, you may as well make the decision yourself and not base it on how someone else says you should raise your kid.

Learn to say no, lose the petty battles in order to win the war and most of all - let them be who they are, they will grow up with or without you.

Windshieldman summed it up!

My almost four year old son is as sweet as he is bad, and he is BAD sometimes. He's a wild one with a very obstinate personality, at times. They say that's a hard personality to raise as a young child, but will be great when they're teens/adults.

Someone also told me that boys make you pay early-but then are easier as they get older. I think that generally is true. But some days I'm about bankrupt because he can wear me out. My two month old daughter is not an easier baby, like someone mentioned, but I think that's due to her prematurity/low birth weight.

Nevertheless, good luck. It will be heaven and hell, but the good times and sweet moments will carry you through the long/exhausting days.

Take your time...don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
Go find a woman and you'll find love
And don't forget son
There is someone up above

Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this if you try
All that I want for you my son
Is to be satisfied

And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Be a simple kind of man
__________

That pretty much covers it

Bang your wife again and give him a playmate.

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it's a boy

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Did you just assume it's gender?