Overall, I enjoyed the read. It was fun, easy to read, and I couldn't put it down. It is not another parenting guide, it is different because it is written through an anthropological perspective. It summons author's observations of French parenting, her subjects being the friends that she makes in France. She also collects her data through interviews, but those are spare. I know from other reviews that quite a lot of people have found her book annoying because all her observations were based on very elite, upper class parents. It would have helped if the author acknowledged her bias at the beginning of the book, on the other hand, she was always very transparent about the social position of her friends, so it doesn't leave any doubt as to what class of French society she is talking about. Her more general observations did make me wonder though, such as her claim that she has not once witnessed a tantrum on the French playground in all the years she's lived in France. I've just come back from a week in Brittany and guess what, I went to a local playground only once, and in that one time saw a French kid throwing a tantrum. So maybe there is something for the British expression of terrible twos after all, no matter how hard the author wants to put it all down to parenting style.
All in all, I believe that you need to read this book carefully and not let it impact you too much. It is just another book on the market, and it felt that a chief value of the book was entertainment, so the analysis as a result is not very deep and is a bit shallow in places. Also, this glorification of French culture is a bit boring, French adults are not superior to people in other countries, and I do not consider arrogance a virtue. They could also cool down on their patriotism a bit, as far as I am concerned. Modesty and humility often go hand in hand with doing more good in the world and being a smarter person. And frankly, I just like warm friendly people.
My main and biggest thing is - please ENJOY parenting. Do not let anyone, any author in the world, make you feel yet again that you are somehow inadequate because you are not trotting in high heels on the playground or because you might have a little squabble with your partner every now and then. Be you, it will not last long, and it doesn't matter that French would give you big eyes if they saw your kid having a snack at 11am. Personally I LOVE going down the slide with my toddler, I LOVE skipping stones in the sea with him, breastfeeding him is enjoyable and dear to me. I would feel very sad living in a culture where I felt like I couldn't go and splash in the puddles with my child. I was really looking forward to being a parent partially because I couldn't wait to play again as an adult and feel free like the wind and the sky and the rain. And guess what, I feel sexy and chic just as I am. Good luck to you all on your parenting journey xxx
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Chacun à son goût - having worked and lived in Europe Including France i honestly found this a parental “ sucking eggs” book - verbose in an American way - bought it after hearing Radio 2 promo - deleted from library - see attached example of sleep deprived behaviour. Expecting much more.
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Have a laugh whilst reading, note a few points but enjoy yourself and your parenting for who you are
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 1 September 2015Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 9 April 2012
