Parenting sure ain’t what it used to be.
As recently as a couple of decades ago, the concept of “parenting” itself didn?t exist. People got together, had babies and, for the most part, brought their children up more or less the way they?d been brought up. There was progress here and there?child-labour laws, Sesame Street, seat belts, full-day kindergarten, etc.?but most new parents just sort of muddled on, making it up as they went along or taking well-meaning advice from grandparents or their doctor.
Today, however, it?s a whole different ball game. It?s not just the amount of information available in every conceivable form?the books, the videos, the websites, the parent Facebook groups, the online courses, the Instagram influencers with their six sets of adorable twins and heartfelt essay-length captions on ?real-life challenges? of family life?it?s the fact that, if you?ve got the cash, almost every brain-breaking parental quagmire can theoretically be solved by outsourcing to an expert. What started with lactation consultants and infant sleep trainers (now almost standard) has become a burgeoning industry of experts. In the city where I live, I can hire a consultant to come into my home and give my family personalized advice on everything from my kid?s screen time, diet and food preferences to toilet training, temper tantrums and anxiety levels. There are group programs and personalized coaches to teach your child how to ride a two-wheeler, tell the t...