How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes is a deeply researched, evidence-based primer that provides a fresh perspective on parenting issues from toddlerhood through the teenage years. Science journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer outlines the traits parents want their children to possess, including honesty, generosity, and antiracism, and offers scientifically-based strategies to instill these characteristics. The book blends cutting-edge science with accessible stories and actionable tips to help parents raise children who are kind, compassionate, and capable of building a better future.
In 'Hello, Cruel World', Melinda Wenner Moyer addresses the anxieties of modern parenting and provides practical, research-based advice for raising children who can thrive in a complex world. The book explores various aspects of child development, including mental health, technology use, and substance use. Moyer emphasizes the importance of building resilience and self-compassion in children, encouraging parents to allow their kids to experience discomfort and develop coping skills. She challenges common misconceptions about parenting and offers a balanced perspective on issues such as social media and academic pressure. By integrating scientific evidence with real-world examples, the book aims to empower parents to make informed decisions and foster their children's well-being.
Nancy Reddy's "The Good Mother Myth" explores the flawed science behind societal expectations of motherhood. It blends personal memoir with historical and cultural criticism, examining mid-20th-century research that continues to shape our understanding of parenting. Reddy critiques the work of influential figures like Harry Harlow and Dr. Spock, revealing biases and misinterpretations that have negatively impacted mothers. The book challenges the idealized image of the 'good mother,' advocating for a more realistic and supportive approach to parenting. Ultimately, it promotes a shift towards community-based care and a rejection of the isolating pressures of modern motherhood.
People often ask me why I care so much about parenting when I am not, myself, a parent. This question is always so weird to me — of course I care about parenting norms, because I’m surrounded by parents! The choices that parents make (in the voting booth, as consumers, as community members, as friends) have so many direct and indirect effects on my life and everyone’s lives. Plus I’m always interested in how people try and make sense of a ton of contradictory information and “best practices” about how to be in the world, and whew, that is contemporary parenting right now.
I’m so pleased that Melinda Wenner Moyer, author of Hello, Cruel World!, agreed to join us to unpack your questions about contemporary parenting trends — she is so good at balancing empathy (for why we gravitate towards certain strategies) with reassurance (less is almost always more). So if you want to talk about the weird ways gentle parenting rhetoric has seeped into the playground, the pressure to overschedule, and the deeply annoying professionalization of kids’ sports, whew is this the episode for you. And if you’re not a parent but affected by parenting practices: you’ll also find so much here. This week’s discussion is gonna be a good one.
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