Dr. Sears?

Question

I'm am so sick of this ask Dr. Sears epidemic. Don't these people know that there have been are so many "theories" about rasing children? I mean look at Froids beliefs back in the day--I'm sure as heck not taking advice from him! Why can't we just think for ourselves and do what we feel is right for our children? How can we be so ignorant to tihnk one person holds all the knowledge about parenting and we should follow it like a cult? Am I a bad parent because I don't agree with Dr. Sears? And also--for those people who do follow his teachings, why do you?--I'm not trying to be mean--I just want to know what do you feel is so special about him?

If you want to know about the guy go to:

www.askdrsears.com

Answer 1

I don't agree with him either. He has his "attachment parenting" cult.

Parenting comes or should come natural to any parent. Not by a doctor telling you what to do or how to do it. That's just as bad as listening to a mother in law telling you how to raise your child.

Everyone has their own beliefs.

Answer 2

You're not a bad parent for not following the latest trends.

AND

You're not a good parent for following the latest trends.

Sears gets paid to sell books and whatnot, so the larger his cult, the more he sells.

However, just becase "everyone else is doing it" is not a reason to do it yourself, AND it's NOT a reason to NOT evaluate his advice. What I mean by that, is that some people will jump on a trend because it's a trend, and some will avoid it because it's a trend. Everything needs to be evaluated on it's own merits.

Personally, I don't have any clue as to what he's preaching, however that doesn't mean I won't take it in as I hear it, or seek it out when I am stumped, as I would any advice.

And as has been pointed out, the world is a pretty different place today than it was 20, 30, or 50 years ago. In addition, we know a lot more today about the brain and child development than we did in those times, and we will continue to learn more as time goes by.

Answer 3

I don't follow any one person's ideas about parenting. I take what works for me, and ignore what doesn't.

It's nothing like a cult, I use my brain, think for myself, and find that when I do what "works for me" it comes out looking a lot like what Dr. Sears recommends, in most areas. That being said, if someone asks me about a book for this or that baby care subject I will often recommend a book by the Sears.

Reasons:
Dr. Sears is a pediatrician. He has training in medical concerns related to babies and children
Dr. Sears has seven (now grown) children. His advice comes from experience as a parent, not simply from "head knowledge" he got at med school.
Martha Sears co-wrote the books, so they are not JUST from the male perspective, but take into account the "motherly side" of things too.

Those are not the ONLY books on parenting or baby care I recommend, but I think there are books out there that are a LOT worse than Dr. Sears's books.

Answer 4

who's dr. sears? never heard of him. anyway, yeah, if you're a responsible parent (not everyone is) with your child's best interests in mind, i'd say..by all means, make your own choices. people need help every now and then. there's nothing wrong with advice. AND...yes, trends come and go but i think as science goes and psychology, we're learning more and more as time goes on so beliefs about how children operate and what's effective might change. plus your child's environment is a lot different from yours when you were a child so what worked for your mom might not work for you.

Answer 5

I have my own ways of raising my child but there are times I am at complete lose and would result to reading how someone else does/have done it. But I would never follow someones ways to a tee!!!!

Answer 6

I think Dr. Spock is full of crap too, if that helps any!!!

Answer 7

well i ain't no doctor
but if yah have a fire
than I'm the man to call