Cribsheet Quotes

“Which goes to show, again, that parenting is much more about the child than about the parent.”
― Emily Oster, Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool

“[...], you should know that most kids become more picky around two and then slowly grow out of it in their elementary school years. This is sometimes a surprise to parents - your eighteen-month-old eats like a horse, then all of a sudden around two, they start being very selective and just generally not eating much. I have sat at many a dinner where one of my kids has taken one bite and said, "I'm done!" This change can lead to unrealistic expectations from parents about how much their toddler and young child will eat. As a review article from 2012 notes, "The majority of children between one and five years of age who are brought in by their parents for refusing to eat are healthy and have an appetite that is appropriate for their age and growth rate." The article goes on to note that the most useful treatment for this problem is parental counseling, not anything to do with the child. Thanks for the judgement, researchers!”
― Emily Oster, Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool

“[...], you should know that most kids become more picky around two and then slowly grow out of it in their elementary school years. This is sometimes a surprise to parents - your eighteen-month-old eats like a horse, then all of a sudden around two, they start being very selective and just generally not eating much. I have sat at many a dinner where one of my kids has taken one bit and said, "I'm done!" This change can lead to unrealistic expectations from parents about how much their toddle and young child will eat. As a review article from 2012 notes, "The majority of children between one and five years of age who are Brough in by their parents for refusing to eat are healthy and have an appetite that is appropriate for their age and growth rate." The article goes on to note that the most useful treatment for this problem is parental counseling, not anything to do with child. Thanks for the judgement, researchers!”
― Emily Oster, Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool

“At the end, let’s raise a glass to using data where it’s useful, to making the right decisions for our families, to doing our best, and—sometimes—to just trying not to think about it.”
― Emily Oster, Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool

“So, yes, it makes sense to take parenting seriously, and to want to make the best choices for your kid and the best choices for you. But there will be many times that you need to just trust that if you’re doing your best, that’s all you can do. Being present and happy with your kids is more important than, say, worrying about bees. At the end, let’s raise a glass to using data where it’s useful, to making the right decisions for our families, to doing our best, and—sometimes—to just trying not to think about it.”
― Emily Oster, Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool

“parenting is much more about the child than about the parent.”
― Emily Oster, Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool

“arrives. Before the baby, you’re a vessel to be cherished and protected. After the baby, you’re a lactation-oriented baby accessory.”
― Emily Oster, Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool