I have four kids and several friends with kids, and I can tell you that the amount of effort+time it takes to not get CPS called on you (depending on where you live) can be very substantial.
Is this actually true, though? Do you have cases you can point to which establish that lower bound (parents who have had CPS called and CPS actually did something) or is this just the normal evolution of keeping up with the Joneses.
The reason I ask is that I hear this sentiment from parents a lot, and I got curious so I talked with actual CPS officials who laughed heartily at the things the parents thought.
Out of curiosity, what does get CPS called on you in your area? Second question: how much of it is a need of the child and how much serves more of "social mores controll" function?
For the record, I don't actually want to return to 1970 standards. However, I suspect that the extreme micromanagement has multiple reasons, but child's needs are not really the driver.
I agree with your last point. Anecdotally, as a kid I hated having a full schedule of mandatory activities, constant regiment, always getting ready. My friends who were the most stressed and unhappy were the ones with the most extracurricular responsibilities. Yet their parents were always pleased that they took on 4 AP classes, did 3 seasons of sports, lead role in the play, stem program after classes, etc. just to build up a college resume rather than improve a child’s happiness.
