In "Cribsheet," econometrician Emily Oster transforms parenting myths into data-driven insights, offering a fresh perspective on the choices new parents face. With her signature blend of humor and rigorous research, she tackles debates around breastfeeding, sleep training, and vaccinations, urging parents to trust their instincts backed by evidence. Oster debunks popular parenting advice, revealing how various paths can lead to happy, healthy children. It's an empowering guide that encourages parents to embrace the ambiguity and complexity of raising kids. Are you ready to rethink what you know about parenting and discover evidence-based strategies that might surprise you?
By Emily Oster
Published: 2019
"Parenting is a mess, and there is no one right way to do it."
From the author of Expecting Better and The Family Firm, an economist's guide to the early years of parenting. “Both refreshing and useful. With so many parenting theories driving us all a bit batty, this is the type of book that we need to help calm things down.” —LA Times “The book is jampacked with information, but it’s also a delightful read because Oster is such a good writer.” —NPR With Expecting Better, award-winning economist Emily Oster spotted a need in the pregnancy market for advice that gave women the information they needed to make the best decision for their own pregnancies. By digging into the data, Oster found that much of the conventional pregnancy wisdom was wrong. In Cribsheet, she now tackles an even greater challenge: decision-making in the early years of parenting. As any new parent knows, there is an abundance of often-conflicting advice hurled at you from doctors, family, friends, and strangers on the internet. From the earliest days, parents get the message that they must make certain choices around feeding, sleep, and schedule or all will be lost. There's a rule—or three—for everything. But the benefits of these choices can be overstated, and the trade-offs can be profound. How do you make your own best decision? Armed with the data, Oster finds that the conventional wisdom doesn't always hold up. She debunks myths around breastfeeding (not a panacea), sleep training (not so bad!), potty training (wait until they're ready or possibly bribe with M&Ms), language acquisition (early talkers aren't necessarily geniuses), and many other topics. She also shows parents how to think through freighted questions like if and how to go back to work, how to think about toddler discipline, and how to have a relationship and parent at the same time. Economics is the science of decision-making, and Cribsheet is a thinking parent's guide to the chaos and frequent misinformation of the early years. Emily Oster is a trained expert—and mom of two—who can empower us to make better, less fraught decisions—and stay sane in the years before preschool.
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“Parenting is a mess, and there is no one right way to do it.”
Cribsheet
By Emily Oster
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Emily Oster is an acclaimed economist and author known for her work in the fields of health and economics. She gained widespread recognition for her books, including "Expecting Better" and "Cribsheet," which challenge conventional wisdom about pregnancy and parenting through rigorous data analysis. A professor at Brown University, Oster combines her academic expertise with a relatable writing style, empowering parents to make informed decisions based on evidence rather than fear or societal pressure. In addition to her writing, she is a popular speaker and advocate for using data in personal decision-making. Oster's commitment to demystifying complex topics has made her a trusted voice for families navigating the challenges of parenting.
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