My latest favorite book about parenting is called Parenting, Inc.  by Pamela Paul, a new mom herself.    I am buying it for all my new mom friends.  It is NOT a how-to book, but rather, a social critique of today's parenting industry.   This book exposes how today's anxious parents are spending billions of dollars on (supposedly) making baby smarter, better, healthier, and happier.    The parenting industry is booming, even in this depressed economy, because parents are overspending on the little ones.   Parents normally rational and economically frugal in all other aspects of their lives, are going broke buying for baby.  The new consumption that characterizes modern American parenthood is explored.   Paul debunks a lot of the current ideas of raising kids to be "smarter".   The book may be a bit dry reading for those not interested in a savvy, meticulously researched piece of cultural criticism.  But I was very entertained while reading the chapters about truly pampered kids, the ones elevated to being status symbols themselves with their designer activities and accoutrements and lifestyles.  Realizing that the upscale baby market is $45 Billion dollars is staggering, but not surprising.   Dads may even enjoy reading this parenting book.  This book will prove to you that an unlimited income is not necessary to raise an intelligent, well-behaved, outstanding child.    It is hard enough to raise a child today without the media telling you what you need to buy, or should do for, your child.