summary ofBringing Up BébéBook by Pamela Druckerman

first KEY POINT

How to make a baby à la française

All families are dysfunctional in their own beautiful ways. But French families know how to hide it well. Parisian mothers always have a diaper and their favorite lipstick in their purses. What seems like a betrayal of parents' solidarity worldwide, the rules of French parenting are simple yet complex at first sight.A happy family means the well-being of all its members, not just a newborn raptor. Adult time has never been an excuse for French parents but an opportunity to recharge and appreciate each other's efforts. As for the children, the French air seems to sedate them better than breast milk. Jokes aside, it's the experience of generations of French parents with ridiculously logical views on feeding, lulling, and behaving. The fundamental rule is to trust your child as you trust yourself and book that vacation.Some people righteously see French parents as overly strict. It is an American view on parenting, as overindulgence is a severe problem on the other side of the Atlantic. What French parents do have is boundaries. Furthermore, they teach their kids to have them, too. These are not just self-worth and confidence but also being mannerly and considerate. In these words, we simply guess the natural Parisian.

As an Anglophone in Paris, Pamela Druckerman struggled to become a real Parisian mother. Used to American leniency and snacking as a pacifier, she did not expect to raise her children Francophone. But her mind drastically changed when she saw how calm and well-behaved French kids are. Eventually, she adopted the new mindset and raised three rather French children.