Bringing Up Bébé

One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting

By: Pamela Druckerman

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

The secret behind France's astonishingly well-behaved children is here.

When American journalist Pamela Druckerman has a baby in Paris, she doesn't aspire to become a "French parent". French parenting isn't a known thing, like French fashion or French cheese. Even French parents themselves insist they aren't doing anything special.

Yet the French children Druckerman knows sleep through the night at two or three months old while those of her American friends take a year or more. French kids eat well-rounded meals that are more likely to include braised leeks than chicken nuggets. And while her American friends spend their visits resolving spats between their kids, her French friends sip coffee while the kids play.

Motherhood itself is a whole different experience in France. There's no role model, as there is in America, for the harried new mom with no life of her own. French mothers assume that even good parents aren't at the constant service of their children and that there's no need to feel guilty about this. They have an easy, calm authority with their kids that Druckerman can only envy.

Of course, French parenting wouldn't be worth talking about if it produced robotic, joyless children. In fact, French kids are just as boisterous, curious, and creative as Americans. They're just far better behaved and more in command of themselves. While some American toddlers are getting Mandarin tutors and preliteracy training, French kids are - by design - toddling around and discovering the world at their own pace.

With a notebook stashed in her diaper bag, Druckerman, a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal, sets out to learn the secrets to raising a society of good little sleepers, gourmet eaters, and reasonably relaxed parents. She discovers that French parents are extremely strict about some things and strikingly permissive about others. And she realizes that to be a different kind of parent, you don't just need a different parenting philosophy. You need a very different view of what a child actually is.

While finding her own firm non, Druckerman discovers that children - including her own - are capable of feats she'd never imagined.

©2012 Pamela Druckerman (P)2012 Random House

Loved this book!

My husband and I listened to this and are so glad we did. We won’t use all of the tips but a vast majority exemplify the type of parents we hope to be to our son. It was an easy listen and definitely a great book for first time parents.

Part informational, part validating

A well written reflection on mommyhood, a foreign enough concept for us first-timers, Druckerman adds the layer of navigating the American-in-Paris element. Warm, humorous, and very honest, this book made me feel so validated about my ignoring many motherhood conventions in America, espousing some French motherhood wisdom, ignoring some of that French “wisdom,” and, finally, assembling guidelines from both countries that work for my family.

The performance was comfortable and pleasing to hear. I admit I almost skipped this book due to a couple negative reviews about Craden’s narration, but I’m so glad I listened to the sample and gave the title a try. Toward the end, I moved from 1.25 to 1.5 and still understood and enjoyed the experience. In fact I loved it.

Loved it!

What made the experience of listening to Bringing Up Bebe the most enjoyable?

It was very intriguing and informative. I loved the insight into the French culture. I was seeking out help with raising my 19 month old, and this really hit the spot. It touches on teaching kids to behave themselves in restaurants, helping them build their independence, increasing your adult time, and why French babies sleep through the night. Exactly what I needed!

I hope I can remember all this when I have kids!

What did you love best about Bringing Up Bebe?

I really enjoyed how open and honest Pamela was about her experiences in France. While there were some things about French culture versus American culture that I wasn't surprised about (i.e. food), other aspects were new to me, and it was really interesting to hear how the French raise their kids so differently.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

The one thing that I want to take with me after listening to this book is how to get your newborn to "do his/her nights." But there are so many little tidbits that I take away from this book it is hard to choose just one!

Loved it

I liked this very much. Gives you many things to consider. My 2.5 year old now sleeps through the night with no hassle thanks some insight I gained here. Not everything is inline with my parenting style but I appreciated considering it just the same.

So helpful!

Such a helpful lesson in learning parenting “tricks” from other cultures to better myself as a mom.

Interesting perspective..

As I prepare for my first child, I want to raise her like I was raised. With limits, structure, and autonomy. Many of the parents of young children, who I know, are controlling without assertiveness, so the children win in the end. Their days are planned to what the parent wants not always what the child wants, and children do not explore. It is nice to see that children continue to be raised with the same values I was. This book is vindication that it is possible to raise her like I want, even if American society does not embrace this strategy anymore. Thank you.

Loved it!

I am a single woman with 18 nieces and nephews (whom I adore and love) but have been nervous about motherhood for a few reasons, but mostly not wanting to lose connection to myself and desires, but do want happy children who feel special and behave. This is a fun narrative of life abroad, raw motherhood, but with a curious look at the benefits of French parenting without losing connection to your own country values, or self. Loved, loved, loved it!

Good Information, Awful Narrator

I haven't felt the need to write a review for any of the audio books I've listened to so far. I'm really enjoying the information this author is sharing. I know I'll use lots of it when the baby comes in a few months. My only problem with this audio book is the narrator's snooty tone. At times she sounds terribly condescending, which is very off-putting. It makes me cringe. I know I would enjoy this book more if I were reading it instead of listening to it. Very poor choice by the author.

New father of twins

A very eye opening book about raising kids. Very informative. I will definitely use some of these techniques. Very entertaining as well.