The Babble List: Parenting Trends
10 that are in, 10 that are out.
by Madeline Holler
July 8, 2008
Remember how it used to be? Good parents spanked their kids; bad parents let kids call adults by their first names. Good parents warned children against sitting too close to the TV. These days, good parents don't even own a TV. Sharing feelings/owning feelings/thinking about feelings/feeling feelings constitutes a child's first (and often only) step toward good behavior -- no more sore bottoms "for their own good."
How could our parents have been so wrong? How do we know we're right?
Well, they weren't and we don't. Like skirt lengths and math curriculum,
parenting has its trends. So, annual braggy Christmas letters are out,
but blogging to strangers about your child's under-achievements? Very in.
Living vicariously through your child's birthday celebrations is out.
But that $1,000 stroller? Sorry, still in. — Madeline Holler
Wave Bye-Bye! 10 Parenting Trends That are Out:
1. Same name, different spelling: Katelyn, Kaitlyn, Catelin and Kadlen
are going to get together and really hammer their parents over this one.
As are the -aydens (fill in the first letter) and any other child who
(1) suspects parents are just making up names and (2) has never seen his
or her name spelled correctly, ever. (Jennifers with one "n"
thought they had it bad!)
2. Three-ring birthday parties: We only got cupcakes and water balloons,
but our kids are getting zoo animals, helicopter rides and $20,000 teas!
Maybe
we'll never return to pin-the-tail on the donkey (too dangerous — See
#5), but we middle-class mortals are backing it down, hanging up
streamers, making Grandma the star attraction and remembering what
birthdays are really for: cupcakes (heavy on the frosting) and presents.
3. Bringing baby to work: We love that offices are becoming more flexible, but
we suspect in tough economic times this particular perk will soon come to an end.
Not soon enough for many co-workers — and even for some parents who tried
it.
Of course, this doesn't mean there aren't other ways of making the
workplace family-friendly. Babycare down the hall, perhaps? Longer and
paid parental leaves?
4. Hiding vegetables: Did it ever catch on?
Not likely, what with all that damn steaming, pureeing, tucking and
tricking! In other good news, parents are also turning their backs on
caring quite so much about organic-everything (especially since the new trend is going local rather than organic). Five servings of a fruits and veggies rainbow is
the overall goal. But every single day? Eh. Too much work. (Have a
spinach-free brownie and think about it.)
5. Clear the landing pad: Helicopter parenting is headed for a crash —
a good thing. Moms now negotiate grades with their kids' college
professors, dads shake hands with baby's future employer.
And
there are kids who, for the love of Band-Aids!, have never, ever been
hurt. Leading the way out of this prison of love is a nine-year-old NYC
solo subway rider. Will others rip
off the shin guards, turn in unchecked homework, and follow?
©2008 Babble
About the Author
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Madeline Holler is a writer and mother of two. She lives in Long Beach, California. |
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