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1.23k reviews for:
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
Emily Oster
4.08 AVERAGE
1.23k reviews for:
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
Emily Oster
4.08 AVERAGE
informative
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
informative
fast-paced
funny
informative
medium-paced
If you’re looking for justification in your choices as a parent, this might be worth a read, but if you already recognize that you have to do what works for you and your family at the end of the day, even if it differs from what other parents do, I think you can save yourself the money. I’d heard such great things about this book, but I really didn’t find it informative, especially for a book claiming to be all about the data. Oster posits herself as an expert because she knows how to interpret data (but quite frankly didn’t have any other qualifications backing her), and her tone in the book comes across as thinking her audience wouldn’t be able to understand it at all, so she dumbs it down to the point it doesn’t even really tell you anything. Additionally, most of what she says is then followed by “but here’s why this actually might not be true/here are the limits/here’s why you should do whatever you want anyway.” I get that’s the point she’s making—it’s all a crap-shoot and there’s no one right way to parent—but if that’s all you had to say a simple TikTok would have made your point. There were many times I found myself thinking, “oh, I read something else that had way more information/clarity about this subject.” And other times still when I wished she would have addressed all aspects of a topic pro- and con- instead of seemingly focusing on sharing data that goes against the norm. In a sense, I guess it could be helpful if you don’t plan to read anything else about parenting and just want the surface-level “I promise you’re not messing up your kids if you do (insert parenting decision here).” I wouldn’t say I’m sorry I read it, because I think the perspective that all decisions are valid if they work for you is a valuable one we need more parents to share, but I also don’t think it’s one I’d recommend to someone genuinely interested in seeing a deep-dive of research.
Data driven, but still a little biased and focuses unevenly on topics and concerns
Helpful guide to parenting from the first few days leaving the hospital all the way through enrolling in preschool, etc. like “Expecting Better” this was a good first read that answered a lot of my basic questions and led me to additional resources.
I love these parenting books because they don't necessarily tell you what to do, but instead reframe how to make decisions as a parent, which is so helpful to everyone trying to figure out proportionality with their first baby. Am I overreacting? Is this a legitimate concern? How does anyone make this decision? Totally paralyzing. This book really helps contextualize those types of moments so that you can make a decision that's right for you and your family and be rest assured your child won't turn into a mass murderer just because you struggled to sleep train them.
Another difficult Emily Oster book to rate.
I want to emphasize the book is very heavy on the "birth" aspect. I have a 3 month year old and the majority of the book wasn't useful. Most of the birth information was pretty straightforward and aligned with what the hospital did and recommended, and lacked the data that I expected.
There was some interesting data exploration in the center of the book, especially surrounding breastfeeding. But the second half of the book seemed a bit lacking on conclusive data and an defaulting to "do what works for your family."
Still a worthwhile read for expecting parents, but doesn't reach its potential.
I want to emphasize the book is very heavy on the "birth" aspect. I have a 3 month year old and the majority of the book wasn't useful. Most of the birth information was pretty straightforward and aligned with what the hospital did and recommended, and lacked the data that I expected.
There was some interesting data exploration in the center of the book, especially surrounding breastfeeding. But the second half of the book seemed a bit lacking on conclusive data and an defaulting to "do what works for your family."
Still a worthwhile read for expecting parents, but doesn't reach its potential.