French Twist: An American Mom's Experiment in Parisian Parenting

I got this book in the mail this morning, and immediately read it cover to cover. I'm not a parent, but growing up in Kentucky, and moving to Chicago I have seen some wild and crazy kids...so like the long term planner I am, I've been reading a lot about french parenting, and child psychology. I read "Bringing up Bebe" which I enjoyed on a comic level, but I found myself pushing my way through the last half during the second read through. Her stories are entertaining, the things she observes are interesting, but I kept waiting on the HOW element in that book, and realized it never really came.That being said, I knew what I was looking for in this book. The answer to my "HOW?". I think the author did a fairly good job of doing that. She gives lessons, and tips throughout the book based on her experience, and doesn't "worship" the french parenting style by any means, as another reviewer implied. Some people get so touchy about "American parenting" being put down (especially in the "Bringing up Bebe" reviews), and although I don't mind, probably since I'm not a parent yet ha!, and I still have an outsiders view point...the author does bring up some french styles of parenting that she doesn't agree with such as spanking, and the educational system...so the American in you can have your "Ha! take that!" moment that you seem to desire.This booked helped me examine what things I really want to instill in my children, like an appreciation of good food, manners, and a firm household order "It's me who decides", and which things I should probably skip, such as the elaborate holidays, obsessing about unsatisfiable happiness, and bribes (that my mother still uses on me to this day! I'm 24!).ALSO, I'm so glad she touched base about the "supermarket horror". This has been a topic of conversation among my friends with children, and they can't figure out what to do about it. I practically fell out of my seat when the author asked her parisian friend supermarket parenting questions, and the woman replied "why is my child crying in the supermarket, did the cart run over his foot???" HA! I looked all over the internet for a french solution to this problem, and there wasn't one. Now I just know that calm supermarket children are so because they are taught to wait, entertain themselves, and they know that mom is the chief, and they must obey. "That is the way things are". I hope I have the strength to be french firm with my future bundles of joy.

Having grown up in the 40's and 50's in the UK, this "French' way of parenting where children are not the epicenter of a parent's world reminds me of my own childhood and subsequent parenting methods. I couldn't resist checking this out at the library and then purchased for my own adult daughter. It was entertaining but also full of 'yes I strongly agree' moments that seemingly follow the same natural parenting ways of my own childhood recollection. The author is effective in highlighting the seamless ways that french parents instinctively interact with their children to instill respect, good manners and an expectation of being attentive and learning patience instead of instant gratification.. She admits that not all of the methods were easily incorporated into her own family's structure, but she insightfully recognizes that American parenting has gone beyond the pale in trying to be a 'buddy' to and to accommodate every whim of a young child to the extent that they have lost control of their own adult lives and position in the family unit.Overindulgence in both the material and emotional sense is just one of the many differences that she highlights. French parents are loving parents but their children are raised to understand discipllne and limits of behavior. If just a few of her observations (her husband is french so they naturally associate with other french natives in Brooklyn) could be incorporated into American parenting we would all be the better for it. Children who interrupt conversations, noisily demand attention, have melt-downs at the drop of a hat ? Her French advice?" Do not get up if there is no blood !" This is a very entertaining read even if you're beyond being a young parent. It's written in a casual; lighthearted, amusing style, but without a doubt her advice has significant value that will benefit any young parent and provide the rest of us with tons of a-ha moments.

This book was so refreshing to read. We live in an age where everyone is obsessed with the best way to parent and ridden with guilt about not being able to cater to their child's every whim or spend every waking moment with them. The author decided to adopt French parenting techniques to reverse bad habits that she and her husband and daughters had fallen into. Her struggle is totally relatable, her style refreshingly honest and not at all preachy or judgemental as so many parenting books and blogs are. I was surprised to learn that a parents life does not need to revolve around their child, and in fact, it is detrimental to the child's emotional development to feel like the whole house revolves around them. It is comforting to read such a book today in 2018, where mothers are routinely berated for such egregious offences as serving their children inorganic carrots.

I loved this book. The writer is funny and charming and I laughed often during this read. The content is also good but I admit I didn't learn any NEW methods here. Where this book really grabbed me is that it finally made me feel I wasn't a terrible parent! I have found myself caving to the societal expectations that I cater to my child's every whimper and need (even as I would be telling myself in my head that I didn't think I needed to do this or that). No more! This book helped me recover my backbone to raise my children the way I believe they should be raised. I just needed to hear this clear voice amongst all the marketing nonsense and expert "guides". Thank you.

Excellent approach for North American parents. We should really switch to this so we have a more civilized society for everyone to enjoy.