Thinking Allowed: Where durian is king

I have been deliberating. Jakob wrote such a well thought out post on his birthday and I wanted to do the same. Except my thoughts are currently much more superficial and tainted by thoughts of apartments, schools and cars. I suppose these are normal thoughts but how much more fun to have my mind filled with parenting philosophy and life meaning. I could claim that I have no time to myself to think but for my birthday my request to go on a trail run was granted and theoretically my mind can think while my legs run. Except it was such a beautiful run up the mountain to Doi Suthep that I spent my time focused more on footing and breathing and reverie. I had no phone and no map and no water and had never been up the mountain before so I had to rely on the directions doled out by passersby and use some of my newfound thirtythreeyear wisdom. By the time I reached the temple I felt as lofty as a durian. A bit smelly, odd and out of place in the holy site but so strong and powerful and mysterious.

I am good and winging it though, so let's pretend I spent my two hours without children thinking intensely about parenting. Here is what I have to say.

There is no one right way to parent
There are no perfect parents.
Stressed parents make worse parents.
It is difficult but important to differentiate between what you think your children need and what they actually need.
Each child is their own person and needs to be parented accordingly.
Children will be interested in whatever is presented as interesting.
Children are much more resilient and capable than we give them credit for.
Children are fun so have fun with them.
Based on my visit with a baby monkey I suspect it is easier for humans to raise human babies than monkeys.
I have lots of thoughts on homeschooling and travel with kids which will be their own post.