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

Interesting perspective, adequate narration

Good book and happy I listened to it. I was very much looking for practical parenting advice and perspective which this book has, but some chapters and sections had extraneous info I didn't care for and skipped through.

The narration was good, not amazing and not bad. I saw lots of reviews mention that the accents were terrible but this isn't a movie so I didn't really mind. They seemed fine enough and did not bother me.

The “French” imitation is hideous and annoying

The imitation of French accent when imitating French sentences and words reading is very bad and annoying to hear. That was really unecessary and badly done.

Thoroughly enjoyed it! planning to listen again.

As the mother of two under the age of 2, I seek out various types of parenting books. As a nomadic family that has lived abroad, I find myself interested in parenting techniques and philosophies that reach beyond my family of origin and American paradigm.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I see parallels between my African American upbringing and the Parisian approach but picked up a few more nuggets.

I'm now curious about US parenting norms across race/ethnicity and how different communities good their cultures into the overarching American way and what they do when pressured to assimilate.

Pamela had to figure that out herself while also acknowledging that her children would inevitably be shaped by the French framework.
I definitely plan on listening again with my husband. I'll be checking out her other titles.

Fabulous & entertaining observations on French parenting

After reading so many parenting books that are text books, this comedic and real life story is such a breathe of fresh air. As a expat myself across 5 countries, I loved seeing someone draw attention to the cultural differences it takes an outsider to witness. The true study the author made of labeling and dissecting the cultural qualities that are hard to describe was incredible! I was so thoroughly entertained by her observations and was constantly giggling as I read. Well done. I want this book written for every country! Even after all my travel, I thought I would have picked up more cultural diversity, but this book made me realize just how American I am. Absolutely recommend this, not just for over preparing mothers to be, but for everyone interested in culture and traveling.

Simply wonderful

It’s not rocket science, it’s seemingly common sense - but the patience, persistence, and application of the French methods is often what’s missing in America. Laced with entertaining storytelling and backed by plenty of research, I found this the most refreshing and straightforward parenting book I’ve read in a genre that seems otherwise determined on giving parents neurosis.

Loved everything about it! Super fun and entertaining!

Learned so much about parenting in a very entertaining manner. Feeling sad when the book ended!

Overall good

Overall good book to read. I am not a big fan of the “french accent” used sometimes throughout the book. It sounds mocking and disrespectful

Interesting read, really bad performance!

I still laugh thinking about how bad the narrator’s “French” accent and pronunciations were. Maybe I’m a snob but I found it to be really distracting from an otherwise interesting book.

Fantastic

This gives a mush needed perspective on parenting and still being a person. I’m not afraid of becoming a parent now because I don’t have to become a martyr to raise capable human beings.

Great approach- must read for parents with young children

Loved the story and approach. As a first time mom, really happy I discovered this book. Great from newborn to toddler ages. As others wrong the French accent by the narrator was hard to understand at times, but nonetheless really enjoyed this book.