Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool | 
so-soI never skim read but I did with this. I appreciated the research and data (or lack of), the way she broke it down and the explanations into what types of research actually provide real data but most of it just boiled down to ‘there‘s not enough data, so go with your own decision‘. That‘s probably the main point of the book. I just got really bored with it. #nonfiction2023 - big yellow taxi (the cover is yellow 💛)
pickI really appreciated Oster's sensible, calm, and nonjudgemental approach. She evaluates the data on common early parenting decisions like breastfeeding, sleep training, vaccines, and child care/preschool. This works great for issues with a significant medical/scientific component, not so much for stuff like preschool or discipline choices, where there are too many variables (what will work best for your kid depends on what kind of kid you have!)
"Some things about a second child are harder, the main one being the presence of the first child."
Hahaha Emily Oster has some lowkey very funny asides like this.
Reading about babies with a sleeping baby on your chest is the best ???
"We know being a parent means getting a lot of advice, but this advice is almost never accompanied by an explanation of *why* something is true or not, or to what degree we can even know it's true. And by not explaining why, we remove people's ability to think about these choices for themselves." ??
Well, I officially want to marry this woman. Flash photo taken in the dark with my cranky baby sleeping on my chest, having refused to be put down.
pickI listened to this on audio and very much appreciated it. It‘s data driven and science based which being pregnant and into science I devoured. It also gave my confidence and perspective on some of my choices that my family is arguing with.
pickOster‘s evidence-based approach to making some of the big decisions parents face (from right after the baby is born until toddlerhood) is easy to read and refreshingly presented.
Read July/August
Rated 4.5/5 ⭐️
Book 33/60
Couldn‘t make it through without recommending alternatives or supplements - especially related to the early childhood chapters - Positive Discipline by Nelsen (logical consequences are such a better approach than any she discusses). Also read anything on/by Piaget, Maria Montessori, Vygotsky, or John Dewey (Experience and Education) if you‘re interested in learning more about philosophies and science of childhood development.
so-soIf you want an approachable review of data re: common questions for new parents, this fits the bill. But if you make it through this book without rolling your eyes at her bougie take on things (the audiobook narrator‘s voice doesn‘t help), I‘d be surprised. Ultimately, just skip to “the bottom line” section at the end of each chapter. Full disclosure, I‘m not yet a parent but read this because I‘m in early childhood ed and heard decent reviews.
pickA great book about statistical rigor in childhood studies. For the full review, please visit http://benjamin-m-weilert.com/index.php/2019/11/13/book-cribsheet-2019/
pickI loved Expecting Better when I was pregnant and this straightforward examination of parenting after having the baby is excellent as well. My kids are a bit older so I skimmed most of the first year info. I appreciate the way the author examines trends in raising children with data rather than emotion to prove points. (As seen here with my chili dinner) #parenting #raisingreaders #readandeat
pickEconomist Emily Oster explores parenting dogma and myths by dissecting what the evidence actually says. Comforting, insightful, and informative read on many major decisions new parents make, from how to feed your baby to how to discipline toddlers. Strongly recommend!
