Nannies Know: About Ezzo

Nanny Katherine Ross wrote an article summarizing Babywise for the professional newsletter published by the International Nanny Association. While I haven't found the newsletter available online, the author has made her article available in full.

It's interesting to see thoughts of someone whose educational background and daily experience is focused on normal child development, as they evaluate some of the teachings of Gary Ezzo.

Want to read more? Check out the GFI / Ezzo / Babywise archives here at TulipGirl or the classic Ezzo.Info.

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Comments

Thanks for that, it's such a shame that Ezzo's books are still so popular.
Posted by: Sheena at May 30, 2007 09:43 AM

Childrearing is naturally variable.

...is the main thing that stood out to me from that article. I have read many of the Ezzo books. There was some meat... but also many bones. I was one of those scared 1st time mothers that turned to the Ezzo books only to find that under the rigidity of their method, I was not enjoying my little gift from God. Now I have 6 children and BOY does that quote above ring ever so true. Each child is different. Especially my twins.

I highly recommend "The Mother At Home" by John S.C. Abbott. It is a book I gave away at my site because it was SO EXCELLENT!!!
Posted by: Lisa at May 30, 2007 10:02 AM

Fasinating article.
I've seen some of your reviews on Amazon.com. I did one about the Pearl's book to Train a Child as Akemi.
You have interesting things to say about this issue that is concerning me.
Posted by: Synesthesia at May 31, 2007 10:03 PM

I think the nanny who wrote that article had, in general, good overarching points. But, it seems she failed to demonstrate a more thorough understanding of the Ezzo teachings or the motivations/perspective of the parents. I think that Ezzo-supporters would feel mis-characterized by what she wrote. (Yet, at the same time, most Ezzo-supporters I know feel mis-characterized even when former Ezzo-teachers who thoroughly understand the teaching are critical. . .)

While I believe the mother/child relationship is qualitatively different from the nanny/child relationship--a nanny has the opportunity to potentially have a more accurate "big picture" view of child development, what is normal, what variations are to be expected. I know as a mom, at times I've been "too close" to my child to see the big picture--can't see the forest for the trees.

And like this nanny pointed out--children and their needs vary so very widely. . . The Ezzo philosophy, as much as the Ezzo's teach it as universal, really is NOT universal, and can even be harmful to many children/parents.

Lisa--I'll have to put that book on my Amazon wishlist. And while I went into mothering years with an attitude embracing children and motherhood, I have to agree that I experienced something similar when using Ezzo parenting "I was not enjoying my little gift from God. "
Posted by: TulipGirl at June 2, 2007 07:27 PM

Most Americans are raised with a particular view of what a "good" child is: one who sleeps through the night by himself and is not "overly-dependent" on his caregivers. And so I understand why many of my friends have hopped on the Ezzo bandwagon. I wish I could convince them that there's another way...
Posted by: Martha at June 5, 2007 02:05 PM

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