Debunking the Biggest Parenting Myths with Emily Oster

All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins

#183: Economist Emily Oster uses data to challenge and debunk common parenting beliefs and shares data-driven strategies for parents to make more informed and confident decisions. We also cover data on polarizing topics like sleep training, breastfeeding, private vs. public school education, and more.

Emily Oster is a professor of economics at Brown University and a NYT best-selling author of four books—Expecting Better, Cribsheet, The Family Firm, and The Unexpected. She's also a the founder of ParentData, a data-driven guide to pregnancy, parenting and more.

Link to Full Show Notes: https://allthehacks.com/debunking-parenting-myths

Partner Deals

Indochino: 10% off my favorite bespoke suits and shirts (with code ALLTHEHACKS)

Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent

Fabric: Affordable term life insurance for you and your family

MasterClass: Learn from the world's best with 15% off

AG1: Free 1 year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

Emily Oster: ParentData | Instagram

• Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know
• Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
• The Family Firm: A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years
• The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications
• Is There a Best Method for Sleep Training?
• 5 Pregnancy Myths
• A Different Way to Look at Screen Time

Cochrane Reviews

1-2-3 Magic by Thomas W. Phelan

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Full Show Notes

(00:00) Introduction

(01:44) The Shocking Amount of Misleading Data Around Parenting

(04:17) Ways to Incorporate Data in Decision Making

(10:05) Why There’s So Much Pressure to Be “Perfect” Parents

(11:57) The Good Enough Approach vs. The Perfect Approach

(14:57) How Important Is It for Parents to Prioritize Themselves?

(19:47) The Most Shocking Myths and Misconceptions

(22:52) The Reason for an Abundance of Caution Around Pregnancies

(26:12) The Polarizing Data Around Sleep Training

(30:17) How to Approach Data and Reliable Sources

(32:08) The Role of Cultural Norms and Traditions in Parenting Advice

(36:33) How to Navigate Pushback on Advice

(37:29) Making Complicated or Difficult Decisions

(40:50) The Impact of Primary Education: Private vs. Public

(44:19) Why It’s Important to Build Resilience in Older Kids

(46:32) Managing Screen Time and Technology

(49:48) One Key Takeaway for Anyone Who Wants to Be a Parent

(51:25) Where to Find Emily

Connect with All the Hacks

All the Hacks: Newsletter | Website | Membership | Email

Chris Hutchins: X | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.