Customer Reviews

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm: And Other Adventures in Parenting (from Argentina to Tanzania and everywhere in between)

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I really enjoyed this book. It was well researched and I found the information regarding other cultures' practices when it comes to baby rearing to be very insightful and, at times, surprising. The author focused on one specific behavior per culture (such as early potty training in China) and backed up all anecdotal observations and cultural practices with interviews and references from experts.

The information given in each section was very balanced (reasons the practice might be good and bad were always given and almost always backed by references), and I appreciated the non judgmental tone, as many baby rearing articles and books I have read as of late seemed to have forgotten that there are multiple ways to raise a healthy child - ways that are often directly opposite of each other - and present their information as though there is one, best route to take in raising your child and they have it.

This isn't a "how to" book for raising children, just a lot of different perspectives and practices from cultures across the globe. Some of the things I read about I am planning on implementing with my children and others I am interested in exploring further. I would definitely recommend this book for any new parents or parents to be.

I really loved this book. I have four kids, so I've read a ton of parenting books. :) This was one of the most interesting to read by far. I've always wondered at the different advice given regarding pregnancy and kids.... soft cheeses and wine are totally forbidden here, but fine in France. Co-sleeping is "risky" here, but the norm elsewhere. The author and her husband were working in Argentina when she gave birth to their daughter. That lead to seeing how different Argentine's were regarding bedtimes (and socializing with kids) versus Americans. This also lead her to explore other differences. Some of the things (like baby wearing) are pretty mainstream these days...still, each chapter was a great read.

There are great tips here on having kids who are good eaters (France), close families (from the Arab-American community in Dearborn, Michigan), good sleepers (Argentina), great fathers (Africa), early potty training (China), etc. We can learn from other cultures--and just because an American "expert" says one thing, don't assume that it's that way around the world. What I found refreshing was that often the experts she did consult verified that the practices abroad were not harmful (such as kids staying up late). Probably the most fascinating (for me) was learning that male nipples may have evolved to give Dads a way to sooth kids when Mom was not available. Who knew?

This would be a great baby shower gift or a gift for any Mom. Highly highly recommended.

The book gives a global perspective on parenting in a non-judgmental way. This perspective helped me see this trivial nature of some of the things we parents unnecessarily obsess about. The author researched her data thoroughly and her personal stories as an American ex-pat mom were refreshingly honest and relatable. I highly recommend this book for the parents of a young baby or toddler.

What a pleasant way to learn some strange and exotic, yet very useful things. Don't be deceived by the apparently whimsical title of this book--found at Amazon.com--which reveals how very differently parents in other cultures approach parenthood and child-rearing. The author, Mei-Ling Hopgood, shares what she has learned from her travels and informal conversations with young parents in Argentina, Tanzania, and other remote places, as well as from probing discussions with a number of experts on child development, psychologists, sociologists, etc. Her style is casual and breezy. Reading this delightful mind-expanding book is like having a cozy visit with a friend over a cup of tea. Whether or not you have ever been a parent, you will find this a thoroughly provocative, engaging and enjoyable read.

Regina C.

I loved this book. It was engagingly written and enlightening enough that I would have changed the way I mothered my now-teenage son, if only Ms. Hopgood had written it 15 years sooner. It will all work out fine if someone just invented a time machine.

What a wonderful mind opener! Mei-Ling simply introduces us to new parenting possibilities so we can expand our thinking while guiding our families! Her attempts at introducing customs from other cultures to her daughter add humor and a touch of real life while remaining nonjudgemental. This is a must read for new parents (and grandparents) as they enter the wonderful journey of parenthood! It will now be my gift to all of my family and friends expecting a new addition to their family!

Mei-Ling Hopgood looks at a selection of parenting practices from various cultures around the world, offering an accessible, and very reasonable, analysis of how they compare to American conventions. This is an excellent book for parents (or parents-to-be) who grow weary of the "expert advice" we are bombarded with in the US. Much of what we think is the natural or normal way to parent is simply culture, and sometimes the expert advice is really just the current trend. Learning how other cultures approach such issues as bedtimes, fights between children, and toilet training can provide some perspective and help us see that what we've been taught is just one approach to raising children, and that there are plenty of other ways to do things. The author guides her readers through all of this in an easy, conversational tone, and includes thoughtful reflections on her own parenting experiences.