Rocking Out With Your Pediatrician

The pediatrician’s office was so crowded this morning that they asked me and my son to first meet with one of the nurses for the “intake” questions in one of the doctor’s personal offices until a medical room became available. I wasn’t complaining. Not only is this particular doctor whose office we occupied a big joker with a wonderful way around children, but he apparently is a huge classic rock fan like myself. The walls of his office radiated rock ‘n’ roll, with autographed album covers from Bruce Springsteen, U2, Carole King, AC/DC, Carly Simon, and other rock gods and goddesses. To my surprise however, the piece of memorabilia that stood out the most had nothing to do with rock and everything to with another passion of mine: parenting.

In a corner apart from the rock royalty, there was an oversized placard, weathered enough to make me wonder if he had founded it at a garage sale. In really big letters, it featured this brief quote:

Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. –Benjamin Spock

So here’s my question of the day: Did the doctor admire this quote as a source of personal inspiration, or because he believes it’s great advice for parents?

What do you think?

And, either way, what do you think of the quote?

Eric Messinger is Editor of New York Family. He can be reached at emessinger@manhattanmedia.com