How do the French manage to raise well-behaved children and have a life! Who hasn't noticed how well-behaved French children are - compared to our own? - How come French babies sleep through the night? - Why do French children happily eat what is put in front of them? - How can French mums chat to their friends while their children play quietly? - Why are French mums more likely to be seen in skinny jeans than tracksuit bottoms? Pamela Druckerman, who lives in Paris with three young children, has had years of observing her French friends and neighbours, and with wit and style, has written a memoir that is ideally placed to teach us the basics of parenting a la francaise.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Fascinating... gripping... extremely funny... A desperately needed corrective to received wisdom about child-rearing and what having children is supposed to do to a woman's sense of self. I loved it. It made me want to move to Paris" -- India Knight The Sunday Times "Self-deprecating, witty, informative... But however much she admires "the easy, calm authority" French parents seem to posess, will Druckerman manage it herself? Her efforts to do so add a compelling narrative to this fascinating study of French parenting" -- Michele Hanson Guardian "Observant, dryly entertaining... In recounting how her three children went native, Druckerman is engagingly self-deprecating... This book is worth its price for the crucial information it reveals about how to win the sleep wars" -- Amanda Craig Daily Mail "Fascinating and enlightening... Druckerman's observations struck me as Eureka discoveries that could improve interaction between adults and children here" The Lady "I couldn't put it down! Smart, funny, provocative, and genuinely eye-opening" -- Amy Chua, Author Of "Battle Hymn Of The Tiger Mother"
About the Author
Pamela Druckerman is a freelance journalist on lifestyle issues married to English football writer Simon Kuper. They live in Paris and have a little daughter and toddler twin boys. Apart from using her own first-hand observation of her French friends and neighbours, for this new book, she has interviewed scores of French mothers, teachers and child experts. She is also the author of Lust in Translation: The Rules of Infidelity from Tokyo to Tennessee.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
The author has produced a very sophisticated book - layered, informative and persuasive.
Superficially this is a meander through the experiences of an American woman with an English husband bringing up three children in Paris, where she slowly realises that French parents lead a more tranquil life because they subtly lead their children into their parents' civilised behaviour with careful, nuanced expectations.
On another layer she introduces her researches in Paris, through a good bibliography of pertinent studies.
You don't have to be a Frenchwoman to bring this kind of peace into your life. This book makes it all very clear.
Would you like your baby to sleep through nights by two months? Would you like to have your toddler sit with you at a restaurant table eating from the menu, in courses like you do, without having to fight the third world war in public? Ask Pamela!
Superficially this is a meander through the experiences of an American woman with an English husband bringing up three children in Paris, where she slowly realises that French parents lead a more tranquil life because they subtly lead their children into their parents' civilised behaviour with careful, nuanced expectations.
On another layer she introduces her researches in Paris, through a good bibliography of pertinent studies.
You don't have to be a Frenchwoman to bring this kind of peace into your life. This book makes it all very clear.
Would you like your baby to sleep through nights by two months? Would you like to have your toddler sit with you at a restaurant table eating from the menu, in courses like you do, without having to fight the third world war in public? Ask Pamela!
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Nikki
Format:Paperback
I'm very disappointed. This book is an exact duplicate of her previous book 'Bringing Up Bebe'. Maybe this is disclosed somewhere and I missed it, but I bought the book because I loved 'Bringing Up Bebe' and thought this would be another good book. But it's not, it's just the same book.
So if you've already read her previous book, don't bother with this one.
So if you've already read her previous book, don't bother with this one.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Autin
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoy reading this book. It's a education book but not boring at all ! I'm French and I agree with most observations even if there are some generalizations. Also, don't forget France is not only Paris...
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Just thought I'd say a massive MERCI to Madame Druckerman.
I am a French woman AND a mother AND many other things at the same time. I had my baby girl three years ago with a fantastic Englishman in London. It was the start of a eye-opening, guilt-ridden, frustrating, rewarding adventure of love.
As a non-breastfeeding mother, who wanted to go back to work after a 3 month maternity leave, I was looked down and made feel guilty by the bible-bashing talibans of breasfeeding.
It was incredibly difficult for me to keep respecting their views about motherhood while they literally spat on my way of doing things.
Now NOBODY is perfect: not a French mum, not an "anglo-saxon" one, but who cares...Most of us are trying our best, and that's what matters.
Madame Druckerman, if you read this, thanks for making me feel less guilty and a little validated.
Your book made me laugh, it made me cry. It might not be representing 200% of the French society, yeah maybe not. But there are one thing or two people could learn from these selfish, vain and ambitious French women. Starting with that: You don't stop being a woman when you become a mother! And you don't become a woman, just because you're a mother...
I am a French woman AND a mother AND many other things at the same time. I had my baby girl three years ago with a fantastic Englishman in London. It was the start of a eye-opening, guilt-ridden, frustrating, rewarding adventure of love.
As a non-breastfeeding mother, who wanted to go back to work after a 3 month maternity leave, I was looked down and made feel guilty by the bible-bashing talibans of breasfeeding.
It was incredibly difficult for me to keep respecting their views about motherhood while they literally spat on my way of doing things.
Now NOBODY is perfect: not a French mum, not an "anglo-saxon" one, but who cares...Most of us are trying our best, and that's what matters.
Madame Druckerman, if you read this, thanks for making me feel less guilty and a little validated.
Your book made me laugh, it made me cry. It might not be representing 200% of the French society, yeah maybe not. But there are one thing or two people could learn from these selfish, vain and ambitious French women. Starting with that: You don't stop being a woman when you become a mother! And you don't become a woman, just because you're a mother...
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The author is right on with how us American moms handle things with our children (mostly through guilt!). I have learned so much from this book and it was a fast read because it was so entertaining. I caught myself laughing out loud a number of times while reading her account of child-rearing. I love the ideas she presents in the book and she does it so well that you will forget you are learning anything. I would definitely buy this book (or its American counterpart Bringing Up Bébé) and read it for both pleasure and to learn a few things. I've told numerous people about the book and I know I'll be lending it out to every mom I've told about this book. Do not pass this book up if you are in need of a little parenting help mixed in with some fun. I will definitely be buying more books by this author.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By tree
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this book and it has changed my attitude. I can put myself first more often and not feel guilty about it. Thank you French Mummies!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By TBird
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a well written book and the advice is solid. I think children would benefit from this style of parenting in the long run. I love french parenting!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Alidownunder
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm french and I'm actually raising my baby outside of France. So I thought it would be funny to read it and check if what she was saying was true. Many things are true, but others are just common sense. What I liked the most is the comparison between France and English speaking countries, the way we raise our kids is different and I have to admit she is right...but also, do not forget that she was in Paris, and a really wealthy suburb surrounded by posh people. So it might not be true all around France! But overall a good book, I was not looking for advice, but just fun and I had it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and informative
I loved the self deprecating style of this book and the knowledge that kids really are capable of a lot more self control than we think they are is great to hear. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. D. Proctor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice!
I didn't expect to learn so much from this book. Besides, the author mixes the french techniques with her own, entertaining story. Very worthwhile reading!
Published 1 month ago by Daniel Santos
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great reading
I really enjoy reading this book! I would especially recommend it to future moms and those who love French culture and people.
Published 2 months ago by Nati
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious read, clearly written, solid tips to use right now
Pamela Druckerman has written a warm and funny heart-on-sleeve account of her and husband's experience as Anglophones trying to raise children in Paris. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nicola McKenna
2.0 out of 5 stars
Some interesting ideas
Slips into autobiography, moving away from main thesis. If reader can persist, some remarkable ideas. Author slips into mocking anglophone parenting.
Published 3 months ago by Maxine Capner
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lovely read for young and old.
I loved this book because it is full of tradition, etiquette and good manners. Young Mums/Dads will learn a lot from this lovely story.
Published 3 months ago by Deb
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting insights
I enjoyed reading this book and discussing it with other mothers, all of whom found something to relate to within its pages. Read more
Published 3 months ago by manybookman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Essential reading for parents and parents to be. Common sense advice, fascinating insight into another culture. Couldn't put it down
Published 4 months ago by Gina
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cheey, but well in control!
A lovely book, extollign the differences between the french appraoch to child-rearign (well, to life generally), and the more pervasive UK, USA and other western cultures. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Abby Bailey
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