Babies the movie

[Whistler]

So... I watched Babies (the movie) the other day, and I seem to recall and Sauron mentioning that it has an agenda. I agree. It seems to be saying "we need to allow more hands-off parenting!" I think in the context of the extremes of yoga class for babies that makes sense. In America at least, increased parent surveillance of children (actual research article term) is associated with better grades and behavior. But, everything in moderation, right? So I guess I'd like your opinions of the Babies movie, and if you haven't seen it, your opinions on parenting. Let them run wild or make sure they don't do anything wrong?

[mic0]

I didn't watch it with a critical eye, so that will change how I think of the film. But I felt like it was more just saying there are babies, mothers, and families all over the world who do things differently but each method works just as well.

I *loved* the baby in Mongolia (I think?) who played with the animals. Hilarious.

[bobtheenchantedone]

I haven't seen the movie, but I have lived with both "let them run wild" parents and more watchful parents, and I intend to fall somewhere between the two when I am a parent. And closer to the watchful parents. The "run wild" parents I know are stressed, often feel hopeless, don't know what to do with or about their children, and cause me a lot of stress when I try a more structured parenting method (which they either ignore or immediately negate with their own actions).

[Waldorf and Sauron]

Tao is actually the one who brought it up, but I can weigh in. It's always hard to say what the intent of a documentary is, but it certainly does provide a good avenue into discussion about parenting. I think for Western parents, it has a theme of "lots of parents do it with a lot less, so don't stress out." In all, I think it's good to get that perspective. But one problem is it seems to border on romanticizing poverty. It's nice to see a slice of life, but it's always important to remember that it's only a slice.

[Whistler]

yeah, agreed.