I really enjoyed this, and agree with all your points but you've got me thinking .... this is probably going to come out a bit garbled but hopefully I can make the point I'm still forming in my head ...
Is "branding" as a concept is part the problem you articulate here? I feel like the fact that it's so common now to PERFORM life, rather than experience it, and choose the parts that will make us look good, is at the core of the issue. That we are sold life choices through "branding" to the point where free choice becomes impossible. We don't know if we even want what we are being sold, only that we want to appear like the kind of person who wants/has/can perform an aspirationally branded life.
A rebrand is great. A rethinking of branding as something we sew together in lieu of values and meaning, even better? Parenting as an experience. Possibly the experience of a lifetime.
I think I get what you're saying - ideally every parent is going to find that unique blend of experiences that makes parenting meaningful to them regardless of whether it's the 'correct' one according to society.
That said, I also think a lot of people are nattually drawn towards wanting to be a part of the crowd, and they're going to create norms (or a brand) that they think represents what that crowd stands for. So, if those norms are going to exist, I think we can at least try to work towards making them inviting to others.
That, and I work in communications, I tend to see things in brand mode lol.
Love this, we need more rounded discussions on what it means to be a parent. Maybe we should also stop referring to parenting as "work" in pursuit of said rebrand.
100% - the stories we tell ourselves become the stories we tell others. If we can extend that balance and grace to ourselves and then to parents around us, that would be an excellent step.
I really enjoyed this, and agree with all your points but you've got me thinking .... this is probably going to come out a bit garbled but hopefully I can make the point I'm still forming in my head ...
Is "branding" as a concept is part the problem you articulate here? I feel like the fact that it's so common now to PERFORM life, rather than experience it, and choose the parts that will make us look good, is at the core of the issue. That we are sold life choices through "branding" to the point where free choice becomes impossible. We don't know if we even want what we are being sold, only that we want to appear like the kind of person who wants/has/can perform an aspirationally branded life.
A rebrand is great. A rethinking of branding as something we sew together in lieu of values and meaning, even better? Parenting as an experience. Possibly the experience of a lifetime.
I think I get what you're saying - ideally every parent is going to find that unique blend of experiences that makes parenting meaningful to them regardless of whether it's the 'correct' one according to society.
That said, I also think a lot of people are nattually drawn towards wanting to be a part of the crowd, and they're going to create norms (or a brand) that they think represents what that crowd stands for. So, if those norms are going to exist, I think we can at least try to work towards making them inviting to others.
That, and I work in communications, I tend to see things in brand mode lol.
Love this, we need more rounded discussions on what it means to be a parent. Maybe we should also stop referring to parenting as "work" in pursuit of said rebrand.
Reminds me of a recent article on intensive parenting by Peter Gray: https://petergray.substack.com/i/150367611/but-we-also-need-to-change-the-way-we-think-about-parenthood
Loved this series Dylan. Great stuff man. ❤️
So glad you liked it!
It's all about the stories we tell ourselves. And rebranding parenting as meaningful, community-based, and balanced is a great start!
100% - the stories we tell ourselves become the stories we tell others. If we can extend that balance and grace to ourselves and then to parents around us, that would be an excellent step.