Comments for sursumcorda.salemsattic.com/post/lowering-the-bar-again

Comment #3478

2013-06-15T11:42:08Z

Within two minutes of writing the above comment, I came upon—in a completely different context— this quote from G.K. Chesterton: Once men sang together round a table in chorus; now one man sings alone, for the absurd reason that he can sing better. If scientific civilization goes on ... only one man will laugh, because he can laugh better than the rest.

Comment #3477

2013-06-15T11:36:14Z

I agree about the absolutes. Part of the problem stems from a healthy desire to analyze any system and figure out what works and what doesn't, and from the noble desire of parents to do the best for their children. Less healthy and less noble contributors are the fear of ambiguity and the hope that if we obey "the rules" exactly and faithfully, everything will turn out well, or if something does go wrong, at least it's not our fault. (Eating is another area in which this has gotten out of hand.) And then there's the "cult of the expert," which in other manifestations results in people who are afraid to sing, to play sports, and to cook because they can't possibly be as good as the professionals who have dedicated their lives to the activity.

I find the thing that helps most is perspective and a little knowledge of history, especially when it comes to childrearing, education, and eating. The experts have changed their minds so many times that I no longer have any faith at all that they have finally "gotten it right."

Comment #3476

2013-06-15T06:21:18Z

I don't have time to research it, but I wonder if crawling and any link to obesity. It seems to me a baby who crawls and is active early has a better start and is more likely to be active when older than a baby who mostly sits. It seems, but we have Jonathan as a counter example, and all the older kids I see stuck in strollers still love to run around when they are finally out.

Another point is that if we look to other cultures, we have to realize that the babies that aren't on the floor are being carried and getting lots of physical, mental, and social stimulation that way. Looking to Europe in the last few centuries seems like silly thing to do (as the article does). Bloodletting was common up until relatively recently and the human race survived, but it doesn't mean bloodletting is a smart practice!

But as with all the parenting advice, what I don't like are the absolutes "your baby must crawl or else you'll reuin him for life" or "there is absolutely no benefit in crawling." What have we turned childrearing into that we need an rulebook full of absolutes to feel secure about what we are doing? It's a crazy world out there.