Holy Grail Of Parenting: WSJ
If you’re so inclined, check out my piece over at today’s Wall Street Journal.
I told you that whole science thing was bugging me.
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Copyright © 2010 Amy Henry. All rights reserved.
William, thanks for your comments. Certainly dads and grandpas give so much. I was originally writing to moms, so the female side is what was addressed. Word count got so tight we had to take out great-grandmothers in the first graf. See, so you’re lucky!
re: The Holy Grail of Parenting Wisdom
Moderation is usually sound advice, Amy. But it sometimes is inadequate. Instinctive parenting has evolved not only for human mothers, but fathers as well. And the research is clear also about the imperative of in-house adult male influence, an essential component of competent parenting. I was rather disappointed to find that point missing among your comments.
Mom and grandma offering wisdom from the back seat? Where are dad and grampa? I’m a father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and I expect in my lifetime to be a great, great grandfather. But my comments are not about me, nor does my station account or my observations. I would argue that one important reason we are in the political fix we are in today is that too many young voters were not adequately reared by their single moms.
Not that single moms don’t try. They simply are not endowed with the male qualities necessary for competent parenting. A division of labor has evolved that leaves single parents, male or female, incapable of being both father and mother effectively.
William Best
Love, love, love that piece and so happy to have found your blog! Totally impressed!
Nicely said, Amy.
I wish more people would understand that THEY are the best expert on their kids, not some sterile study that tries to force all of these millions of fascinating little individuals into some colorless morass of bell-curve “normality.”
For god’s sake people, just PARENT. Do it.
And you find your kids turn out well because you cared enough to make it happen rather than because you bought into the latest soundbite science.