Ever since we had a baby, I've had this strange feeling that I'm being watched. I'll be catching a movie or listening to music or arguing with my wife when suddenly I notice two little eyes staring at me.
When we brought our first child home from the hospital, I didn't think much about development in baby and the fact that our baby was becoming a permanent house guest. Now at age 3, he follows me everywhere. He's even started to imitate the way I pack my lunch in the morning and repeat things I say on the phone.
If this was anybody else, it would be scary. As it is, I'm a little worried about the slouching, burping, bumbling bag of bad habits I'm passing on. Researchers at the University of Michigan recently found that my son's future job prospects are already being shaped at home.
It turns out child development research shows that "responsible" dads who attend church, buckle seat belts, carry car insurance and save part of their paycheck for emergencies are far more likely to have sons who attend school longer and make a lot more money.
Cleanliness helps too, especially for sons in the early teen years. The study found that boys living in "very clean" homes, later earned 40 percent more than those living in homes rated "so-so," "not-very-clean" or "dirty."
I guess I have some cleaning to do. How about you?
Bryan Taylor is President of Eduguide and the proud pop of two young children.