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In 'Bringing Up Bébé', Pamela Druckerman delves into the French approach to parenting, highlighting practices such as encouraging independence, establishing firm boundaries, and promoting balanced family life. The book offers a unique perspective on how French parents manage to raise well-behaved children who sleep through the night early and eat a variety of foods.

In *Expecting Better*, Emily Oster, an award-winning economist, evaluates the data behind conventional pregnancy rules and discovers that many are misguided or flat-out wrong. The book explains everything from the real effects of caffeine and alcohol to the surprising dangers of gardening, aiming to empower pregnant women to make their own informed decisions and enjoy a healthy and relaxed pregnancy. It is organized into sections covering conception, each trimester, and labor and delivery, making it accessible and practical for pregnant women.

In 'The Anxious Generation', Jonathan Haidt examines the sudden decline in the mental health of adolescents starting in the early 2010s. He attributes this decline to the shift from a 'play-based childhood' to a 'phone-based childhood', highlighting mechanisms such as sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, and perfectionism that interfere with children’s social and neurological development. Haidt proposes four simple rules to address this issue: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools, and more opportunities for independence, free play, and responsibility. The book offers a clear call to action for parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments to restore a more humane childhood and end the epidemic of mental illness among youth.

In 'Cribsheet', Emily Oster applies her economic perspective to the challenges of early parenting. The book debunks myths and conventional wisdom by analyzing research and scientific studies on various parenting issues such as breastfeeding, circumcision, sleep training, and childcare. Oster emphasizes that there is often no single 'right' answer and that decisions should be based on a combination of data and what works best for each family's unique circumstances. The book aims to empower parents with a decision framework, helping them navigate the complexities of parenting with a calm and informed approach.

Published in 1906, 'The Jungle' follows the life of Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis Rudkus and his family as they navigate the brutal realities of working-class life in Chicago's meatpacking district, known as Packingtown. The novel highlights issues such as public health hazards, extreme poverty, and the cruel treatment of workers and animals. Despite Sinclair's intention to expose labor abuses, the public reaction primarily focused on the sanitation issues in the meatpacking industry, leading to significant legislative changes, including the passage of the U.S. Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.

In 'The First 90 Days,' Michael D. Watkins provides a comprehensive guide for leaders transitioning into new roles. The book emphasizes the importance of self-preparation, accelerating the learning process, achieving early victories, and achieving alignment within the organization. Watkins outlines ten fundamental principles, including preparing oneself for the new role, understanding the organizational architecture, building a high-performance team, and influencing key stakeholders. The book is designed to help leaders avoid common pitfalls and achieve early successes, thereby enhancing their credibility and effectiveness within the organization.

In this memoir, Amy Chua recounts her strict parenting methods, which she terms 'Chinese parenting,' and how these methods affected her relationship with her daughters, Sophia and Lulu. The book explores the cultural differences between Chinese and Western parenting styles, highlighting the intense academic and extracurricular expectations Chua placed on her daughters. It delves into the conflicts and rewards of this approach, including the daughters' achievements and the challenges they faced in adhering to their mother's demanding standards.

This book combines insights from clinical practice, educational coaching, and cutting-edge brain science to address the chronic stress and lack of motivation many children face. Stixrud and Johnson argue that giving children more control over their lives is crucial for their development, as it enhances their motivation, resilience, and overall well-being. The authors provide practical advice on how parents can act as consultants rather than controllers, helping children develop inner drive and intrinsic motivation through autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The book also discusses the negative effects of excessive parental control and external motivators, and offers actionable steps for parents to implement in their daily lives.

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.