SavvyMenu
Unknowledgeable parents?
Saw this in the news today - apparently, 1/3 of U.S. parents know "surprisingly little" about typical infant development. What do you think?
ttp://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN0230210620080504
By Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Nearly a third of U.S. parents know surprisingly little about typical infant development, and this lack of understanding can rob their babies of much-needed mental stimulation, researchers said on Sunday.
"There are numerous parenting books telling people what to expect when they're pregnant," said Dr. Heather Paradis of the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York.
"But once a baby is born, an astonishing number of parents are not only unsure of what to anticipate as their child develops, but are also uncertain of when, how or how much they are to help their babies reach various milestones, such as talking, grabbing, discerning right from wrong, or even potty-training," said Paradis, who presented her findings at Pediatric Academic Society meeting in Honolulu.
She and colleagues analyzed parenting know-how based on a national sample of parents representing more than 10,000 9-month-old babies.
These parents completed an 11-question survey designed to see which parents were well prepared and which were not.
The survey asked questions like, "Should a 1-year-old child be able to tell between right from wrong?" and "Should a 1-year-old child be ready to begin toilet-training?"
The correct answer to both is no.
Parents who got four or fewer correct answers were considered to have low parenting knowledge.
Me? Not the first go around...
I know that I couldn't answer those when our first child was born (she is now 2 1/2 w/ a 3 week old sister) but my wife could. She, unlike me, has many friends who already had kids, and she did alot of reading, etc... As for me though, I was relatively clueless regarding many specifics of developmental milestones... However, I have noticed many variations in the timeline (for speech, etc...)
Wisdom is not the same as knowledge
I am NOT surprised to read that parents know little about their baby’s development. You can read all the books you want, babysit someone else’s children, and even take parenting classes, but none of it really prepares you for the real experience of being a parent. The simple fact is that parenting wisdom is not the same as book knowledge. Whether you’re a couple raising a child or a single parent, it is important to reach out and talk to trusted medical providers, friends and family and talk about things you are unsure of.
I thought I knew it all when I first became a dad. Sadly I did not, I seriously injured my baby while rough housing with her. I saw a friend playing with his child a few years before, in a similar manner and thought it was okay for my infant – wrong! I become involved with CPS and spent 18 months in a 20-hour-a-week parenting program. After many hours of mentoring and counseling; I found that I initially had no real experience or knowledge. However, through the wisdom of my trusted mentors I learned what my baby's developmental needs are. My child has long since recovered from her injuries and developing very well. She is 2 1/2 and currently going through potty training; which takes, time, patience and lots of love.
Remember if you are uncertain ask questions, ask for help. Learning to be a parent is a lifetime experience.
JeremiahD
Dads Helping Dads
Spokane, WA
Would I answer correctly?
I don't know if I would have the correct answers. I only have one child a 8 month old boy and I am learning as I go but I don't know if I could answer these questions correctly. I would like to think I could.
As a new parent I have read a lot and my wife and I talk to other parents about stuff we are unsure of but sometimes as a dad I feel very unprepared. For example, my son is 8 months old and only 16 1/2 lbs. Lately he doesn't want to eat much formula, only about 3 oz 4 times a day. He also eats about 4oz of solids 4 times a day. He is growing but slowly. Sometimes I question weather or not we are giving him all that he needs.
We are fortunate enough to have a ton of friends who have kids that we can bounce questions off of but if we didn't have this then I think I would be lost most of the time.
Post new comment