Timeless advice for modern parents
It is an absolute delight to bring to you a curated collection of thoughtful links and info, new research from around the world, thought-provoking ideas, and moments of unapologetic joy.
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Kia ora, friends.
I’m Miriam McCaleb, also known as Dr. Mim. You may know me as the writer at Baby Geek.
I constantly obsess about the evidence and energies that inform the way we parent, grow, and live. I’ve worked with families for more than 30 years, and have been writing, teaching, and playing that whole time.
“As a neuroscience educator and a teacher of parents, I know who’s worth listening to and who’s not, when it comes to babies and whānau. Dr. Mim, is principled, smart, and funny as hell. I trust her, and you can too.”
- Nathan Wallis
Can I help?
Get in touch if you need input from an expert at the intersection of infant development and modern family life.
“Mim is nothing short of an absolute expert on all things child development. She is an engaging, brilliant speaker & writer who fluently brings to light even complex processes such as brain development. She is among the best and brightest in her field with a true passion for work & family.”
— Professor Deidre Popovich, Texas Tech University
What is “technoference”?
Miriam’s award-winning research has focused on parental use of smartphones, the concept known as ‘technoference’, and how to elevate an infant’s relationships in a world that longs to distract their parents.
Technoference is the interference of technology into in-person relationships. It’s the name researchers often give to that feeling when your connection with someone in the room is interrupted by the distracting, shiny smartphone in their hand. Eyes – no longer on you, but instead on a device. Attention: gone. You know the feeling. It’s unpleasant for anyone to be on the other side of that imbalance.
For babies, whose connection to their significant adults can help them feel safe enough to learn and grow optimally, it’s not just unpleasant, but has real potential for harm. Tiny babies need hours and hours (and hours!) of real life face time to get their brains primed for a lifetime.
