On Hands-Off Parenting and Advice for Fathers' to Be...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

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I spent a lot of this past summer doing research for an an article in Chicago Parent Magazine that is in their newly-redesigned October issue. (I alluded to this in an earlier post I wrote.) The article is about a term "hands-off" parenting - how to relax and trust your gut when it comes to raising your kids.

The article is based on an interview and reading of Ada Calhoun's book, Instinctive Parenting, Trusting Ourselves to Raise Good Kids. Ada was an amazing interview and her book provided a great foundation for me to talk to experts and local "hands-off" parents about their anti-helicopter styles. (Ok, I have a serious girl crush!)

The best part about writing the story was that I learned a lot for myself that I have put into practice with my children. I used to be worried that my eldest wasn't taking enough, or "the right" activities. Now, I worry less about what we're doing and more that we have enough down-time and time for free play in our house. I'm also less concerned about what he's "doing" academically at school. I mean, he's freaking 4.5 years old! He doesn't need to be reading Nietzche. As long as he seems excited and happy to go and play at school I'm happy. Let's hope that continues until next year throughout his whole education.

I hope you reflect and think about your parenting after reading the article.

The other story I wrote is in this month's issue and it is an interview with local author and dad, Harlan Cohen. His book, Dad's Pregnant Too!, is not only a hilarious take on being the husband in the female-dominated world of pregnancy, but is also rife with advice to the typical clueless father-to-be. I mean, there was a chapter on push presents.

Hope you pass that one on to all the dad's to be you know!

Look in October's Chicago Baby for my story on whether or not you should let your baby cry it out to sleep - quotes and excerpts from the venerable Dr. Weissbluth!