That said, this rang true for how we are raising our now 1 year old daughter: "For me, the evenings are for the parents," one Parisian mother told me. "My daughter can be with us if she wants, but it's adult time." Typical nights include us cooking dinner and sitting around the table with food, wine and conversation. She's there too in her high chair and of course we pay her attention but we also use the time to divulge the contents of our day. We will have friends over for dinner/drinks too and although our daughter is certainly part of the fellowship, she isn't the entirety of it. Example: Today I spent the entire day with my daughter (wife was at the spa -it was a birthday gift) and we listened to music and danced. We watched Yo Gabba Gabba together, went for a walk outside, played the drums and guitar etc. -All of this revolved around her. When the evening struck we made dinner and everything shifted. I made a couple of drinks (knickerbockers and Corpse Reviver #2's) and we acted like adults that happened to have a 1 year old hanging out with us as opposed to acting like babies... (we did that all day). Don't get me wrong, it's fun as hell to play with your kid all day. -Getting more fun all the time as she gets older. But without the adult time, I'd go crazy and be a shitty dad. No child should feel resentment. As it is, I really enjoy being a dad and I think we're doing an alright job so far. It's like anything, the more you enjoy it the better you are at it. To be grateful is to enjoy. But she doesn't rule the roost. She's definitely a part of the roost (a big one) but she doesn't rule it. Sorry if a bit rambly. I did mention the cocktails :)