To be able to drive an automobile you have to take a test. You have to prove that you have the skills. This is something that we all feel is reasonable and certainly justifiable.

But, alas, to be a parent there are no entrance exams. And anyone, regardless of experience, training, inclination or any skill at all can be- come a parent.

Now, how does one become a better parent? One way is to gather all the information you can from experts in the field.

You can get this by reading the large number of books that have been written, from Dr. Spock, on up…or down. Or you can go Online and gather an enormous amount of advice.

Then, after you find this large amount of inform- ation you have to choose what works best for your children and what methods will result in a happy, productive family. The cornucopia of Online Parenting information is practically end- less. The Search Engine, GOOGLE, alone lists 123, 000, 000 Websites in this category.

In this amazing fountain of information you will find ways to wean your baby, how to develop satisfactory sleep habits through how to help your child through early Adolescence. You will have access to advice on how to teach your child good TV habits, as well as how to talk to your child about drugs.

And that's not all; you will learn what you can do to change your child's behavior, what you can do to understand your teenager's emotional health, what you can do to help your teen decide what to do after High School.

On the Internet you will gain access to low-cost, or no-cost, counseling or classes with expert profess- ionals. You will find help to use when your child is ready to learn to drive and you will have access To a College Handbook that provides current in- formation on over 3, 500 Colleges and how to apply for free money for a scholarship.

Isn't this miraculous? And, to think, just a few years ago none of this help could be had from the privacy of our own homes! What a world we live in and what an opportunity we have to Be a Better Parent. By all means, tune into the Internet today and discover how to raise Happy, Self-Directed children!

Dr. Vernon Brabham is a retired Eye Doctor and the father of 4 lovely, successful, productive and de- voted daughters. For further information on how you can add to your parenting skills go to http://www.TopSitesforParents.com/>