Conversation at cocktail party

40-Something dad: "So, what your child-rearing philosophy?"

Me: "What?"

40-S-D: "What philosophy do you follow? You just gotta check out RIE. Have you heard of it?"

Me: "No." (I lied).

40-S-D: "God, I thought you'd have a philosophy."

Me: "I do. It's called: survive & thrive."

40-S-D: "What's that? 'Get out of my way kid'?"

Me: "Sometimes."


Then this half-wit asked me where my child went to school. I told him. And he had responded with a knowing yet somewhat envious look. He told me that his child went to a school with a WASPy-sounding name that happens to be anything but, and that they weren't happy with it. Why is it that all these progressive schools take on the trappings of tradition without the substance?

And then the conversation drifted into the fact that he and his wife had recently begun to see a therapist to prepare themselves and their existing child for the "trauma" of the next child, who would be born soon. The therapist told him to be prepared for his child to act strangely in the company of a new sibling.

Oh, we've turned a corner! What progress! Child-rearing philosophies! Therapists to prepare us for the onslaught of future progeny! Disposable income to be spent on uselessness!