Emily Oster, a Brown University economist and author of evidence-based books on pregnancy and early childhood, discusses the complexities of parenting decisions. She debunks common myths around pregnancy, like the caffeine debate, and advocates for personalized mental health care. Oster emphasizes the role of doulas in enhancing childbirth experiences and explores the societal pressures surrounding breastfeeding. She advises new parents on balancing career and family life, stressing that stable caregiving matters more than adhering to conventional parenting wisdom.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Cupcake Anecdote
Emily Oster recalls a childhood memory of Mikey Bright's mom's elaborate cupcakes at bake sales.
This contrasts with her own experience, realizing the time constraints of baking alongside a full-time job.
insights INSIGHT
Mommy Wars
The "mommy wars" describe the judgment and pressure parents place on themselves and others.
This stems from an intense desire to be the "rightest" parent, driven by the high stakes of raising children.
insights INSIGHT
Judgment's Origin
The desire to judge other parents comes from wanting to get parenting right, as it feels high-stakes.
It's hard to accept that one's personal "right" way to parent isn't universal.
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Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—and What You Really Need to Know
Emily Oster
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.
The Family Firm
Emily Oster
In 'The Family Firm', Emily Oster uses her background as an economist and business school professor to provide a framework for parents to make informed decisions about their children's education, health, extracurricular activities, and independence. The book introduces the 'Family Firm Toolbox', which includes the 'Four F's': Framing the Question, Fact-Finding, Final Decision, and Follow-Up. Oster emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to family decision-making, drawing parallels between managing a business and managing a family. The book covers various topics such as choosing the right school, encouraging a healthy diet, and navigating day-to-day family logistics, all with a focus on reducing stress and making better decisions[2][3][5].
Cribsheet
A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
Emily Oster
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.
The Education of Eva Moskowitz
Eva Moskowitz
In this memoir, Eva Moskowitz shares her personal and professional journey, detailing her efforts to reform the education system through the establishment of Success Academy Charter Schools. The book highlights her challenges and successes in creating a high-performing charter school network.
"I think at various times — before you have the kid, after you have the kid — it's useful to sit down and think about: What do I want the shape of this to look like? What time do I want to be spending? Which hours? How do I want the weekends to look? The things that are going to shape the way your day-to-day goes, and the time you spend with your kids, and what you're doing in that time with your kids, and all of those things: you have an opportunity to deliberately plan them. And you can then feel like, 'I've thought about this, and this is a life that I want. This is a life that we're trying to craft for our family, for our kids.' And that is distinct from thinking you're doing a good job in every moment — which you can't achieve. But you can achieve, 'I'm doing this the way that I think works for my family.'" — Emily Oster
In today’s episode, host Luisa Rodriguez speaks to Emily Oster — economist at Brown University, host of the ParentData podcast, and the author of three hugely popular books that provide evidence-based insights into pregnancy and early childhood.
Common pregnancy myths and advice that Emily disagrees with — and why you should probably get a doula.
Whether it’s fine to continue with antidepressants and coffee during pregnancy.
What the data says — and doesn’t say — about outcomes from parenting decisions around breastfeeding, sleep training, childcare, and more.
Which factors really matter for kids to thrive — and why that means parents shouldn’t sweat the small stuff.
How to reduce parental guilt and anxiety with facts, and reject judgemental “Mommy Wars” attitudes when making decisions that are best for your family.
The effects of having kids on career ambitions, pay, and productivity — and how the effects are different for men and women.
Practical advice around managing the tradeoffs between career and family.
What to consider when deciding whether and when to have kids.
Relationship challenges after having kids, and the protective factors that help.
And plenty more.
Producer and editor: Keiran Harris Audio Engineering Lead: Ben Cordell Technical editing: Simon Monsour and Milo McGuire Additional content editing: Katy Moore and Luisa Rodriguez Transcriptions: Katy Moore
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