Automated Baby Care Is So Wrong

Taking care of a child is a full-time occupation. You need a minimum of two adults, so that they can tag off and get some sleep and take care of themselves, without leaving the baby unwatched. More adults would be better, so people don't get as exhausted.

I think there's a big difference between just ragging on people for not doing what you think they should doing ... vs. pointing out the potential drawbacks, looking for other solutions, and actually lending a hand to help. You have to look for ways to bring reality closer to the ideal, if you don't like where it's at. You can't just yammer and expect that to change anything for the better.

Since I'm in favor of more communal child-raising, I try to chip in a bit. Last weekend at our coffeehouse meeting, a toddler dumped water all over himself and the floor. I went up to the counter and asked the staff to send someone back with a mop, and other folks watched the toddler while the (pregnant again) mother went out to the car for dry clothes. It all got done a lot faster and calmer than if she'd had to do all that by herself.