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

Must read for Moms

This is a well written, well read memoir of an American woman living in Paris during her first years of marriage. Her story is insightful, her struggles as a new Mom are relatable, and her parenting advice is helpful.

Wish I would have had this BEFORE my baby!

Would you listen to Bringing Up Bebe again? Why?

Yes, it's informational and sometimes it's nice to get a little refresher on different parenting techniques. I'm constantly referring to my baby sleep aid book and I imagine I will refer to a few chapters in this book as well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the Frenchies!

Unorganized How To Book

Narrator was amazing with her different accents. Story was engaging and the author repeats the important take aways. Helpful insight into respectful parenting.

Superbe

this was very enjoyable and compiled all stages from pre conception to 6 years old. very helpful to get into the French mindset while not being too restrictive. I feel much more prepared and have the tools to avoid King Baby syndrome.

Great

Loved it. Very concise and straightforward in comparison to other parenting books. Easy to follow and remember.

LOVED

Pregnant with my first, and LOVED this book. As a Brit, living in America I've noticed some pesky things about American parenting.
This is a really insightful story that has definitely changed my perspective on babies and parenting, and America in general. I can't wait to try some of the French techniques out on my newborn.

Very educational yet very easy to follow

LOVED IT!! I learned a few techniques that I'm excited to apply when I become a mother. The concept of "sage" stays with me, no doubt. I loved how the narrator interpreted the French accent in both, French itself and English spoken by French characters.

Refreshing and consoling story, highly recommended

In a time where the American parenting trends seem to take over even in Europe, it is refreshing and consoling to read how the French "educate" their kids to sleep, eat, wait and say bonjour. While parents let a child be a child (and not the king), they also allow themselves not to be only parents. Quotes with French accent make this audio version even better than a hard copy.

the only parenting book I'll be following!

very useful book that every mother should read, especially those that feel overwhelmed, busy and tired all day and all night and struggle between choosing types of parenting methods that don't have results. So happy I stumbled upon this book!

Best preparation book!

I started this book in my second trimester and it was the first baby book I read, but I just love it!!!! It helped me relax so much about becoming a mom for the first time and was enjoyable to read also. I’m a big fan of “Dispatches from Pluto” and I enjoyed “a year in Provence”; this has a very similar feel. Trés Magnifique!!!