When Crystal,a new mom, was pregnant, she knew she had to prepare.
But instead of buying stacks of books, she turned to Instagram parenting classes.
Its not just sleep.
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Youve probably heard of some of these heavy hitters if youve interacted whatsoever with the parenting internet.
While these parenting experts cover a wide range of topics, they share many of the same attributes.
Others are self-proclaimed experts in topics that offer no formal training.
It’s the easiest way to take in information.
Jenny Best, the founder ofSolid Starts, says that the opposite is also true.
This has a really big shift happening in parenting, she says.
They want the facts; they want to cut through the noise.
Cutting through that noise is profitable, and also genuinely useful.
Like, how do we know everyone claiming to be an expert on Instagram is legit?
Am I creating anxiety for people?
One day I was struck by a realization: I had absolutely no idea whether these people were legit.
Take the art of teaching a child to sleep.
But theres no official governing board or formal training.
So to call yourself one is a made-up thing.
I mean, it really is, she says with a laugh.
That doesnt mean, though, that teaching a child to sleep isnt an incredibly important skill.
As with everything on the internet, it is easy to fall into a potentially dangerous echo chamber.
That’s the problem with social media as a whole, she says.
But with sleep, it could be really scary.
Other moms also wonder if, in the end, buying these materials just became a way to self-soothe.
But in reality every kid is so different and I realized that very quickly.
In many ways its an art according to the needs of your individual child, not a one-size-fits-all formula.
There’s not a certifying body because it’s not an exact science.
There’s so many correct ways and appropriate and safe ways to do certain things.
Do you have to buy every course that crosses your feed to be good mother?
Do your research; dont get carried away.
Anderson’s second piece of advice: Check in with yourself.
How do you feel when you consume their content?
Are you feeling afraid and worried and scared, or are you feeling empowered?
Just because someone has credentials doesn’t mean that you should be taking advice from them…. We shouldn’t do it to ourselves more.
Disengage, a directive even many women behind parenting accounts advise.
Is it a surprise that we want someone to hold our hand?
Stephanie McNeal is a senior editor atGlamourand the authorofSwipe Up for More!
Inside the Unfiltered Lives of Influencers.
