Description

Book Synopsis
How parenting became a verb, from Dr. Spock and June Cleaver to baby whispering and free-range kids.

When did “parenting” become a verb? Why is it so hard to parent, and so rife with the possibility of failure? Sitcom families of the past—the Cleavers, the Bradys, the Conners—didn’t seem to lose any sleep about their parenting methods. Today, parents are likely to be up late, doomscrolling on parenting websites. In Long Days, Short Years, Andrew Bomback—physician, writer, and father of three young children—looks at why it can be so much fun to be a parent but, at the same time, so frustrating and difficult to parent. It’s not a “how to” book (although Bomback has read plenty of these) but a “how come” book, investigating the emergence of an immersive, all-in approach to raising children that has made parenting a competitive (and often not very enjoyable) sport. 
 
Drawing on par

Long Days Short Years A Cultural History of

    Product form

    £17.85

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £21.00 – you save £3.15 (15%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 8 Jul 2026.

    A Hardback by Andrew Bomback

    10 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Long Days Short Years A Cultural History of by Andrew Bomback

      Publisher: MIT Press Ltd
      Publication Date: 09/08/2022
      ISBN13: 9780262047159, 978-0262047159
      ISBN10: 0262047152
      Also in:
      Family and health

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      How parenting became a verb, from Dr. Spock and June Cleaver to baby whispering and free-range kids.

      When did “parenting” become a verb? Why is it so hard to parent, and so rife with the possibility of failure? Sitcom families of the past—the Cleavers, the Bradys, the Conners—didn’t seem to lose any sleep about their parenting methods. Today, parents are likely to be up late, doomscrolling on parenting websites. In Long Days, Short Years, Andrew Bomback—physician, writer, and father of three young children—looks at why it can be so much fun to be a parent but, at the same time, so frustrating and difficult to parent. It’s not a “how to” book (although Bomback has read plenty of these) but a “how come” book, investigating the emergence of an immersive, all-in approach to raising children that has made parenting a competitive (and often not very enjoyable) sport. 
       
      Drawing on par

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account