Achtung Baby

An American Mom on the German Art of Raising Self-Reliant Children

By: Sara Zaske

Narrated by: Sara Zaske

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

This audiobook provides an entertaining, enlightening look at the art of raising self-reliant, independent children based on one American mom's experiences in Germany

When Sara Zaske moved from Oregon to Berlin with her husband and toddler, she knew the transition would be challenging, especially when she became pregnant with her second child. She was surprised to discover that German parents give their children a great deal of freedom - much more than Americans. In Berlin, kids walk to school by themselves, ride the subway alone, cut food with sharp knives, and even play with fire. German parents did not share her fears, and their children were thriving. Was she doing the opposite of what she intended, which was to raise capable children? Why was parenting culture so different in the States?

Through her own family's often funny experiences as well as interviews with other parents, teachers, and experts, Zaske shares the many unexpected parenting lessons she learned from living in Germany. Achtung Baby reveals that today's Germans know something that American parents don't (or have perhaps forgotten) about raising kids with selbstandigkeit (self-reliance) and provides practical examples American parents can use to give their own children the freedom they need to grow into responsible, independent adults.

This instructive audiobook is perfect for new parents and anyone else interested in how different cultures approach child-rearing.

©2017 Sara Zaske (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"[Sarah Zaske] reads her fascinating book on contemporary German parenting with friendly confidence and a delightful curiosity about her discoveries while raising two young children in Berlin...Zaske's gift for narrative and her keen observations about German and American parenting make this a refreshing, eye-opening audio for those raising young children." (AudioFile Magazine)

Great honest take

I absolutely loves this book. God bless this woman for bringing fire to America to share with the rest of us.
Lovely reading voice too.

I want to move to Germany!

Where does Achtung Baby rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Achtung Baby ranks very highly among all the audiobooks that I have listened to so far. I have been listening to tons of parenting books since having my daughter recently. I love hearing about how other cultures/countries do things. I think that they have some great ideas in Germany about raising children. I plan on using many of the ideas that I got from this book in my own life.

Great New Perspective

Our children don't belong to us, they belong to themselves. This book is informative and helpful if you are open to a new perspective.

This is a must read for any American Mom

I love this book. Having grown up in Germany but living in the states as a mother. This book was a good reminder of how I grew up and what I might just deprive my son by protecting him in the Name of Love and safety. If it doesn't prepare them for Life Is it really protecting them? probably not! Thank you Sarah Zaske
love love love the book

I wish I could raise my kids in Berlin

I love the parenting messages in this book. I only wish our American parenting culture was similar.

Excellent insights into surprisingly stark differences around the interpretation of freedom, - Germany the land of the free!

“We cannot raise free and responsible children by trying to restrict what they think and believe and beating them for misbehavior.

We raise free and responsible children by giving them freedom and responsibility.”

Excellent food for thought

Very interesting if you want to have an idea on how is parenting in Germany. As with many “cultural” books you may not agree with everything, but challenging one’s own values and ideas is a great way to make informed decisions and choose for ourselves what we want for our kids. Ultimately it’s an excellent source of information. Narration is of great quality.

analytical and informative

Heavy on statistics and less lively than bringing up Bebe but a valuable source of information.

One of my favorite books

I keep coming back to this book time and time again because I enjoy hearing another mothers experience as an expat and how they raise children in other places

Wonderful insights - Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this book. My best friend, who is much like a sister to me, was born and raised in Germany to a German mother and an American father. She and I traveled together to Europe and I got to experience this culture first hand as our "home base" for two weeks was in Germany. I am now 3 months pregnant with my first child and have already been sharing with my husband what I have learned through this book. There are many concepts that I plan to implement as I navigate parenting my children in America. Though at times I feel as though the author has gone on a slight tangent (particularly with Germay's history), one of my favorite things about this book is that it is backed up and supported by loads of research based in Europe and America. It gives me even more confidence in the parenting techniques she describes and makes me feel much more comfortable breaking the mold of traditional American parenting. Thank you!