A small boy, sitting on his grandfather's knee, noticed that Grandpa had a red mark on each side of his nose.

After looking for some time, he asked, "What gave you those red marks on your nose?"

"Glasses," was the reply.

After further reflection, the little boy asked, "Glasses of what?" (1)

Children can keep us off balance, can't they? One mother, writing about her toddler, was mystified that a child who can swallow three bottle caps and a paper clip can choke on a mouthful of mashed potatoes. (2) It doesn't seem possible, but it's part of the mystery of being a parent.

Maybe that is why one cynic said there are some children who should be applauded with just one hand.

It's difficult being a parent. A recent government study found 88% of adults believe it is harder to be a parent tod…