It can be easy to focus on the negative aspects of parenthood in detailed, often funny terms. And there’s no refuting that raising children can be exhausting, emotionally taxing, expensive, and down right hard. We’ve earned our right to complain now and then and, in fact, I’d argue that a little gallows humor is helpful.

But often when it comes to describing the joys of parenthood, they are shared in vagaries. You love your children so much you wouldn’t want life any other way, which is true, but love isn’t the only good thing having kids give you. I thought it would be nice to start the new year with concrete, though not exhaustive, list of ways that having children has made my life better. It’s something I can refer to when I wipe the sleep out of my eyes or wrangle an unhappy toddler into his carseat.

Every parent wants to raise their children in a way that prepares them to live fulfilled, happy, productive lives. I’m trying to be the best father in the world.

Then life’s reality hits. Many people, like myself, get a little lazy and lax on some of the rules and guidance children need. I’m a working entrepreneur putting in 12-plus hours a day building a better future for my family. I can’t run a business and study parenting at the same time, right?

Wrong. Put down that child rearing book. I’ve done the homework for you and listed the 12 scientifically proven best ways to set your kids up for success, both personally and professionally. This advice works for children at any age.