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When it comes to parenting, I have a lot of self-doubt. I'm never really sure my husband and I are mastering the job.

But there are a few things — OK, just two, really — that I believe we do really, really right.

One is wheat bread. Both of my kids have eaten only whole wheat or multi-grain bread since the day they first chomped on a sandwich. We eat not-so-good stuff, too (I'm sorry, but how did moms survive before break-and-bake cookies?), but it feels good knowing my kids have a taste for healthful loaves.

The other thing we do right is Family Snug Time. (Note that "Talent for Naming Things" is not among the things we do well.) Every morning of every day of our lives, the kids come bounding or plodding into our room and climb under the covers with us to cuddle. We all lay there talking, laughing, sometimes arguing. And it doesn't last long, maybe 10 or 15 minutes at most. But we stay there, side-by-side-by-side-by-side, being near one another. And it's heaven.

I've never asked them why they do it; I'm afraid that calling the ritual into question will somehow jinx and end it. But I have to assume if they want to squeeze in next to us with our pillow hair and cotton mouths, we must be better parents than we think.

Some days — busy days with karate and drums and basketball and science projects — mornings are the only time we're all within touching distance. And I know our days, and the boys' lives, will only get busier. Just as their bodies will get bigger until they no longer fit (or desire to be) in bed with mom and dad.

Which is why we relish our morning Snug Time while we have it. Wheat bread may give our boys the nourishment to succeed in life, but I'll always consider these cuddly a.m.'s our greatest success as parents.