constant

I am a young guy. I am obsessed/paranoid with being a future father though, and with early child development. I think it is because I am so self critical and have a lot of regrets because of this.

Parents, what did you do up until you kid was 10 or so, more specifically in the firsr 3-4 years of life to stimulate intellectual growth? Like everyone else, I want a smart child and I'd want to nurture a motivated child who is interested in learning. Anyone have any idea how to do this or any GOOD websites dedicated to this?

I know the basics.. let them observe "complex" things, talk to them all the time, try to teach them simple math by using blocks and such when they are older... but has anyone tried to purposely, for hours on end, teach a kid how to read or speak at a very early age and has it worked? Has anyone been able to teach their kid somewhat complicated mathematics at a young age and has it worked? Sometimes I think people aren't dedicated enough and they give up because their kid doesn't appear to be learning anything and they just wait until he is bigger to teach him stuff.. What is the right thing to do?

Now I am not saying I will be so obsessed with my future kids intellectual ability and development that I will be almost abusive, I'm not going to be unreasonable, but I won't lie: I would much rather have a kid who was a genius (and a social outcast) than a normal kid who had a normal child hood and I believe the "state" of genius or near genius can probably be taught or nurtured. I am also not very found of American society as of now, especially young American society, so I wouldn't even want my kid to be popular or sucked into it if I could help it.

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life makes me cry