I’ve heard french fries are so Oooh la la
Posted by Stephanie | Filed under EducATE
If you’re not caught up on the stack of bestsellers on your night stand or simply refuse to go deeper than the Hunger Games — you may have missed the latest parenting manual sensation.
Pamela Druckerman, an American mother of 3, living with her British husband in Paris, has penned, “Bringing up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the wisdom of French Parenting. Or as it might also be known, “OOOh la la, French children are magnificent!”
The Tiger Mother is so 2011.
Druckerman says the French parenting style is more hands-off than in the States. No helicopter mothering allowed in the land of wine and cheese. Children are left to play and explore and no self-respecting Mum in any arondissement would allow the children to dictate her life. French women not only don’t get fat, they stand at the edge of the playground and allow the petite ones to do what they will. And they apparently wouldn’t dare feed them a chicken nugget, even one in a béarnaise sauce. French children eat grown-up food.
Real French food at that.
It was just last year that Amy Chua detailed her parenting successes, (and she felt there were many), in her book “The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”. This one will be remembered best for hours upon hours of regimented scheduling, including enough violin practice for a daughter to get to Carnegie Hall. (That still happens? Really?) And don’t forget the fact she was raising little girls who weren’t allowed to have or attend sleepovers. Sleepovers are, as is well documented, the primary social activity of the 9 to 13 year old set.
Feeling intimidated?
Well, although Druckerman states this casual parenting style has produced a nation of good sleepers and good eaters, I’ve discovered French mothers do get a few perks in the process over the ordinary carpool-driving American Moms.
First, there’s the four months of paid maternity leave … with the additional state-sponsored day care and preschool … and I don’t know about you, but there’s something to be said for all of that good champagne.
Alrighty mums — now it’s your turn. Are you raising your children in a cosmopolitan European style? Or is their only exposure to anything French, French fries? Take this quiz to find out.
RESULTS:
Mostly A’s- Grab your passport and get on the next flight to Paris!
Mostly B’s – Those are going to be some really successful kids you’ve got there. Until they rebel and hate you.
Mostly C’s – Come over here and sit by me so I look better!
For more from Carla, SoMo’s very own Crafty Mama, click here.
4 Responses to “I’ve heard french fries are so Oooh la la”
Leave a Reply
March 6th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
I listened to an interview with the author about a week ago on NPR–LOVED what I heard! Discipline, love….boundaries and real life. Can we give our children more?
March 6th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
I’m Canadian so does that count for something? We do make wicked poutines here
March 7th, 2012 at 11:39 am
What a fun quiz! Ha! Loved reading how French mothers are different. I felt relaxed!
March 14th, 2012 at 8:47 am
—I shall buy that book.
I love French everything
Xxx thanks.