Listen free for 30 days
-
The Family Firm
- A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years (The ParentData Series, Book 3)
- Narrated by: Emily Oster
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $23.31
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
The instant New York Times best seller!
“Emily Oster dives into the data on parenting issues, cuts through the clutter, and gives families the bottom line to help them make better decisions.” (Good Morning America)
“A targeted mini-MBA program designed to help moms and dads establish best practices for day-to-day operations." (The Washington Post)
From the bestselling author of Expecting Better and Cribsheet, the next step in data driven parenting from economist Emily Oster.
In The Family Firm, Brown professor of economics and mom of two Emily Oster offers a classic business school framework for data-driven parents to think more deliberately about the key issues of the elementary years: school, health, extracurricular activities, and more.
Unlike the hourly challenges of infant parenting, the big questions in this age come up less frequently. But we live with the consequences of our decisions for much longer. What's the right kind of school and at what age should a particular kid start? How do you encourage a healthy diet? Should kids play a sport and how seriously? How do you think smartly about encouraging children's independence? Along with these bigger questions, Oster investigates how to navigate the complexity of day-to-day family logistics.
Making these decisions is less about finding the specific answer and more about taking the right approach. Parents of this age are often still working in baby mode, which is to say, under stress and on the fly. That is a classic management problem, and Oster takes a page from her time as a business school professor at the University of Chicago to show us that thoughtful business process can help smooth out tough family decisions.
The Family Firm is a smart and winning guide to how to think clearly - and with less ambient stress - about the key decisions of the elementary school years.
Parenting is a full-time job. It's time we start treating it like one.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
You may also enjoy...
-
Cribsheet
- A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
- Written by: Emily Oster
- Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With Expecting Better, award-winning economist Emily Oster spotted a need in the pregnancy market for advice that gave women the information they needed to make the best decision for their own pregnancies. By digging into the data, Oster found that much of the conventional pregnancy wisdom was wrong. In Cribsheet, she now tackles an even great challenge: decision-making in the early years of parenting.
-
-
Helpful
- By Rachel on 2020-10-09
Written by: Emily Oster
-
Expecting Better
- Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong - and What You Really Need to Know
- Written by: Emily Oster
- Narrated by: Emily Oster, Jonathan Todd Ross
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When award-winning economist Emily Oster was a mom-to-be herself, she evaluated the data behind the accepted rules of pregnancy, and discovered that most are often misguided and some are just flat-out wrong. Debunking myths and explaining everything from the real effects of caffeine to the surprising dangers of gardening, Expecting Better is the book for every pregnant woman who wants to enjoy a healthy and relaxed pregnancy—and the occasional glass of wine.
-
-
Okay, but the author has a bias
- By Anna on 2024-03-21
Written by: Emily Oster
-
Good Inside
- A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be
- Written by: Becky Kennedy
- Narrated by: Becky Kennedy
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Over the past several years, Dr. Becky Kennedy—known to her followers as “Dr. Becky”—has been sparking a parenting revolution. Millions of parents, tired of following advice that either doesn’t work or simply doesn’t feel good, have embraced Dr. Becky’s empowering and effective approach, a model that prioritizes connecting with our kids over correcting them. Parents have long been sold a model of childrearing that simply doesn’t work. From reward charts to time outs, many popular parenting approaches are based on shaping behavior, not raising humans.
-
-
Read this book
- By Jenn on 2023-05-17
Written by: Becky Kennedy
-
The Whole-Brain Child
- 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
- Written by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures.
-
-
A must read for every parent
- By Doaa on 2024-05-06
Written by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., and others
-
The Montessori Baby
- A Parent's Guide to Nurturing Your Baby with Love, Respect, and Understanding
- Written by: Simone Davies, Junnifa Uzodike
- Narrated by: Robin Miles
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s time to change the way we see babies. Drawing on principles developed by the educator Dr Maria Montessori, The Montessori Baby shows how to raise your baby from birth to age one with love, respect, insight, and a surprising sense of calm. Cowritten by Simone Davies, author of the bestselling The Montessori Toddler, and Junnifa Uzodike, it’s a book filled with hundreds of practical ideas for understanding what is actually happening with your baby, and how you can mindfully assist in their learning and development.
-
-
Loved it
- By sergine on 2023-11-09
Written by: Simone Davies, and others
-
Bringing Up Bébé
- One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting
- Written by: Pamela Druckerman
- Narrated by: Abby Craden
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The secret behind France's astonishingly well-behaved children is here. When American journalist Pamela Druckerman has a baby in Paris, she doesn't aspire to become a "French parent". French parenting isn't a known thing, like French fashion or French cheese. Even French parents themselves insist they aren't doing anything special. But French children are far better behaved and more in command of themselves than American kids....
-
-
Great book, okay audio
- By Sarah on 2019-03-06
Written by: Pamela Druckerman
-
Cribsheet
- A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
- Written by: Emily Oster
- Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With Expecting Better, award-winning economist Emily Oster spotted a need in the pregnancy market for advice that gave women the information they needed to make the best decision for their own pregnancies. By digging into the data, Oster found that much of the conventional pregnancy wisdom was wrong. In Cribsheet, she now tackles an even great challenge: decision-making in the early years of parenting.
-
-
Helpful
- By Rachel on 2020-10-09
Written by: Emily Oster
-
Expecting Better
- Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong - and What You Really Need to Know
- Written by: Emily Oster
- Narrated by: Emily Oster, Jonathan Todd Ross
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When award-winning economist Emily Oster was a mom-to-be herself, she evaluated the data behind the accepted rules of pregnancy, and discovered that most are often misguided and some are just flat-out wrong. Debunking myths and explaining everything from the real effects of caffeine to the surprising dangers of gardening, Expecting Better is the book for every pregnant woman who wants to enjoy a healthy and relaxed pregnancy—and the occasional glass of wine.
-
-
Okay, but the author has a bias
- By Anna on 2024-03-21
Written by: Emily Oster
-
Good Inside
- A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be
- Written by: Becky Kennedy
- Narrated by: Becky Kennedy
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Over the past several years, Dr. Becky Kennedy—known to her followers as “Dr. Becky”—has been sparking a parenting revolution. Millions of parents, tired of following advice that either doesn’t work or simply doesn’t feel good, have embraced Dr. Becky’s empowering and effective approach, a model that prioritizes connecting with our kids over correcting them. Parents have long been sold a model of childrearing that simply doesn’t work. From reward charts to time outs, many popular parenting approaches are based on shaping behavior, not raising humans.
-
-
Read this book
- By Jenn on 2023-05-17
Written by: Becky Kennedy
-
The Whole-Brain Child
- 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
- Written by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures.
-
-
A must read for every parent
- By Doaa on 2024-05-06
Written by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., and others
-
The Montessori Baby
- A Parent's Guide to Nurturing Your Baby with Love, Respect, and Understanding
- Written by: Simone Davies, Junnifa Uzodike
- Narrated by: Robin Miles
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s time to change the way we see babies. Drawing on principles developed by the educator Dr Maria Montessori, The Montessori Baby shows how to raise your baby from birth to age one with love, respect, insight, and a surprising sense of calm. Cowritten by Simone Davies, author of the bestselling The Montessori Toddler, and Junnifa Uzodike, it’s a book filled with hundreds of practical ideas for understanding what is actually happening with your baby, and how you can mindfully assist in their learning and development.
-
-
Loved it
- By sergine on 2023-11-09
Written by: Simone Davies, and others
-
Bringing Up Bébé
- One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting
- Written by: Pamela Druckerman
- Narrated by: Abby Craden
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The secret behind France's astonishingly well-behaved children is here. When American journalist Pamela Druckerman has a baby in Paris, she doesn't aspire to become a "French parent". French parenting isn't a known thing, like French fashion or French cheese. Even French parents themselves insist they aren't doing anything special. But French children are far better behaved and more in command of themselves than American kids....
-
-
Great book, okay audio
- By Sarah on 2019-03-06
Written by: Pamela Druckerman
-
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen
- A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7
- Written by: Joanna Faber, Julie King
- Narrated by: Heather Alicia Simms, Michele Pawk, Candace Thaxton, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What do you do with a little kid who...won't brush her teeth...screams in his car seat...pinches the baby...refuses to eat vegetables...runs rampant in the supermarket? Organized according to common challenges and conflicts, this book is an essential emergency first-aid manual of communication strategies, including a chapter that addresses the special needs of children with sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders.
-
-
Loved it! Big thank you to the authors!
- By Jeff R on 2019-10-23
Written by: Joanna Faber, and others
-
How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes
- Science-Based Strategies for Better Parenting - from Tots to Teens
- Written by: Melinda Wenner Moyer
- Narrated by: Melinda Wenner Moyer
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As an award-winning science journalist, Melinda Wenner Moyer was regularly asked to investigate and address all kinds of parenting questions. But as Melinda's children grew, she found that one huge area was ignored in the realm of parenting advice: How do we make sure our kids don't grow up to be assholes? How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes is a deeply researched, evidence-based primer that provides a fresh, often surprising perspective on parenting issues, from toddlerhood through the teenage years.
-
-
New world parenting.
- By Anna on 2023-09-18
Written by: Melinda Wenner Moyer
-
Precious Little Sleep
- The Complete Baby Sleep Guide for Modern Parents
- Written by: Alexis Dubief
- Narrated by: Alexis Dubief
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Parenting a baby or toddler is the grandest adventure of all, when you’re not miserably exhausted. Sleep expert Alexis Dubief, of the wildly popular website Precious Little Sleep, imparts effective, accessible, and flexible strategies based on years of research that will dramatically improve your child’s sleep, detailing seven methods to teach your baby to sleep so that you can find what works best for your family.
-
-
Terrible jokes, but good content
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-08-12
Written by: Alexis Dubief
-
The Montessori Toddler
- Written by: Simone Davies
- Narrated by: Susie Berneis
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This guide offers a step-by-step plan that helps parents cultivate daily routines so that they can turn life with toddlers into a mutually rich time of curiosity and learning.
-
-
Fantastic Book and Audiobook! Highly recommend!
- By Arthur on 2022-01-17
Written by: Simone Davies
-
The Wild and Free Family
- Forging Your Own Path to a Life Full of Wonder, Adventure, and Connection
- Written by: Ainsley Arment
- Narrated by: Emily Ellet
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As parents, we dream of creating a magical childhood for our kids, yet it can be so easy to slip into autopilot. Ainsley Arment-- a mother of five, founder of the thriving community Wild + Free, and bestselling author-- is no stranger to the barrage of decisions, opportunities, and daily tasks that each day brings. But what Ainsley has discovered is that the magic of life isn’t found in the hustle and bustle of constant activity but in the intentional ordinary decisions of our days.
Written by: Ainsley Arment
-
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
- Written by: Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish
- Narrated by: Susan Bennett
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This best-selling classic by internationally acclaimed experts on communication between parents and children includes fresh insights and suggestions, as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships.
-
-
Maybe back in the 70's
- By Exanime on 2018-03-21
Written by: Adele Faber, and others
-
The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting
- Raising Children with Courage, Compassion, and Connection
- Written by: Brené Brown
- Narrated by: Brené Brown
- Length: 2 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting, Dr. Brené Brown invites us on a journey to transform the lives of parents and children alike. Drawing on her 12 years of research on vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame, she presents ten guideposts to creating what she describes as "wholehearted" families where each of us can continually learn and grow as we reach our full potential.
-
-
A highly worthwhile read
- By Victoria Heaslip on 2018-02-03
Written by: Brené Brown
-
Brain Rules for Baby (Updated and Expanded)
- How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five
- Written by: John Medina
- Narrated by: John Medina
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Brain Rules for Baby, Dr. John Medina shares what the latest science says about how to raise smart and happy children from zero to five. This book is destined to revolutionize parenting. Just one of the surprises: The best way to get your children into the college of their choice? Teach them impulse control. Brain Rules for Baby bridges the gap between what scientists know and what parents practice.
-
-
Good Book
- By M.H. on 2018-05-26
Written by: John Medina
-
Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems
- Written by: Richard Ferber
- Narrated by: George K. Wilson
- Length: 16 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the first major revision of his best-selling, groundbreaking classic, Dr. Richard Ferber, the nation's foremost authority on children's sleep problems, delivers safe, sound ideas for helping your child fall and stay asleep at night and perform well during the day. Incorporating new research, Dr. Ferber provides important basic information that all parents should know regarding the nature of sleep and the development of normal sleep and body rhythms throughout childhood. He discusses the causes of most sleep problems from birth to adolescence and recommends an array of proven solutions for each.
-
-
Chapters Need Fixing for Audiobook
- By Great game on 2023-08-22
Written by: Richard Ferber
-
The Second Baby Book
- How to Cope with Pregnancy Number Two and Create a Happy Home for Your Firstborn and New Arrival
- Written by: Sarah Ockwell-Smith
- Narrated by: Katy Sobey
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Second Baby Book examines all the questions and issues Sarah herself faced second time around as well as sharing the experiences of the many parents who have sought her advice. It also highlights what scientific studies reveal about such issues as the spacing of children and the differences between first and second births. Practical, insightful and honest, this book will help you understand the challenges ahead, but, more importantly, it will equip you to meet them with knowledge, confidence and a sense of excitement for the future.
-
-
okay but very biased
- By Carolina on 2021-07-27
Written by: Sarah Ockwell-Smith
-
There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather
- A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge)
- Written by: Linda Åkeson McGurk
- Narrated by: Ann Richardson
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bringing Up Bébé meets Last Child in the Woods in this lively, insightful memoir about a mother who sets out to discover if the nature-centric parenting philosophy of her native Scandinavia holds the key to healthier, happier lives for her American children.
-
-
love!!!
- By Chloe on 2020-06-23
Written by: Linda Åkeson McGurk
-
Simplicity Parenting
- Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids
- Written by: Kim John Payne, Lisa M. Ross
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From internationally renowned family consultant Kim John Payne comes an eloquent guide that seeks to help parents reclaim for their children the space and freedom that all kids need for their individuality to flourish.
-
-
Must Read for Parents!
- By Stephanie W Chan on 2018-09-19
Written by: Kim John Payne, and others
What the critics say
“A targeted mini-MBA program designed to help moms and dads establish best practices for day-to-day operations.... Because this is an Oster book, there’s data scattered everywhere — on the development of reading skills by age, on the concussion risks of playing soccer, on the benefits of dipping Brussels sprouts in sweetened cream cheese. It’s all presented in the breezy, skeptical style that’s made Oster’s work a must-read for parents who don’t have the time to investigate Finnish studies about integrating extracurriculars into the school day.” (The Washington Post)
“Emily Oster dives into the data on parenting issues, cuts through the clutter, and gives families the bottom line to help them make better decisions. Her books on pregnancy and toddlers skyrocketed her to parenting-world fame, and now she’s back, crunching the numbers on topics that keep parents with school-age kids up at night.” (Good Morning America)
“Oster is a self-described data nerd, a delightful contrarian who dared question the status quo, shush the shamers and tell parents what made sense.” (The New York Times Book Review)