Here’s how the conversation usually goes:

“So, what do you do?”
“I’m a social worker.”
“What kind of social work do you do?”
“I’m not in clinical practice right now. I’m actually writing.”
“Oh! What are you writing?”
“Well, I’ve got a book coming out.”
“That’s great! What kind of book?”
“It’s actually, um, a parenting book.”

[Pause. Pause.]

“Well, it was nice to meet you.”

I get it. I really do. Most of us are sick of the advice in parenting books well before the baby arrives, if we even make that long. Most of us parents are just trying to get through the day without going completely crazy; the last thing we need is the nagging voice of some “expert” reminding us of all the ways we’re permanently screwing up our kids. I know from experience.

Let me give you an example.

You can read the rest of this post over on my new blog on Psychology Today.