American poet and author Adam Mansbach is well-known for his satirical writings. Among his many perceptive parenting observations is the fact that parents can differ greatly in how they raise their kids. According to Mansbach, it frequently appears that very few parents truly bring up their children in ways that other people would find reasonable or sensible.

Like navigating a dense forest without a map, parenting is full of unknowns and difficulties as each parent attempts to forge their own way through the tangled underbrush of social norms, expectations, and emotions. Even though each parent may believe they are on the correct path, it is uncommon for other people to concur.

This observation highlights the fact that parenting approaches are as varied as people's personalities. While some parents may place a strong emphasis on structure and discipline, others may take a more relaxed stance, placing more emphasis on creativity and freedom. While practitioners may view both of these approaches—and the myriad variations that exist between them—as entirely reasonable, outside observers may find them perplexing or unduly rigid.

The author's reflection challenges us to think about how arbitrary our parenting opinions are and how quickly we might make snap judgments about other people based on our own convictions without fully appreciating their viewpoint. It serves as a reminder that although it's simple to offer criticism from a distance, experience and empathy are frequently necessary for genuine insight.

By recognizing this complexity, Mansbach invites readers to be more understanding of the various ways parents choose to fulfill their responsibilities, understanding that what one parent may consider to be irrational or misguided may actually be a well-thought-out strategy for another parent.