Dream Babies: Childcare Advice From John Locke to Gina Ford

I bought this book because it compares childcare advice over three centuries, and I wanted to see what issues previous generations found pressing. The most helpful thing about this book is that you realize that EVERY generation has noisy advocates of one style of parenting or another, and you see the swing from discipline to leniency and back again. As Hardyment points out, a thorough study of centuries of childcare advice shows that whatever advice is given has "science" to back it up, and will almost certainly be overturned by new "scientific" research. So, do what the "experts" do - read the research, then come to your own decision based on what makes sense to you and works with your circumstances. There is no "one right way" to parent, and the vast majority of children turn out just fine, despite the many different ways they are raised. Ultimately, YOU are responsible for your parenting decisions, and this book is designed to reassure you that you will do just fine using your own intellect and intuition, regardless of what "experts" may try to make you believe.A drawback to this book is that the author tends to jump back and forth in her quotes of authors, which I sometimes found confusing because I felt the authors hadn't been identified sufficiently in the beginning. And sometimes she skips briefly over topics I would be interested in knowing more about. But a little flipping back and forth is worth it for the message, and she does give a good general overview of changes in parenting trends and scientific advice. I'd recommend this book for any new mother, because it certainly helped me.

The best parenting manual to read is the one that's actually just a history of parenting manuals. You can decide on the style of parenting you want to adopt, then look it up, and chose the parenting coach most likely to tell you you're on the right track. Cuts out all manner of indecision.Jokes aside, this is actually a fascinating read.

A thoroughly well researched book on how we've ended up in the mess of childcare fads and how going back to basics might be the best approach. Well written and readable despite probably appealing more to an academic audience - so don't be sniffy, give it a read and learn oodles.

excellent book, lovely ironic humour and good research.

Great condition