angelofthe0dd's review against another edition
3.0
It started out as a great book, then quickly turned into "How timelessly wise the French parents are; and how ignorant and backwards American parents are." I got about one-third of the way through the book and honestly just got tired of listening to the author pile on anti-American parenting "statistics" in layers of personal observations, magazine articles, conversations with doctors, and friendly parenting advice from neighbors and strangers alike. I have to give the author three stars because she really puts her heart into her writing (and she is a good writer), and I can sense she genuinely believes that one particular country has found the "secret formula for perfect kids".
sailormoon916's review against another edition
5.0
First of all - No, I am not considering having any children! I just wanted to read this book and I found it very interesting. The differences between French and American parenting ideas as researched in this book are amazing. They make sense ( but of course I have no experience, so who am I to say.). :). Anyway, I found it to be an enjoyable and fascinating read.
flobeulah's review against another edition
5.0
I love it! i'm sure i will read this book again when i will have children.
The french approach on parenting it's not perfect, but i love the wisdom behind it.
The french approach on parenting it's not perfect, but i love the wisdom behind it.
sandraagee's review against another edition
4.0
I am, of course, newly interested in all things baby and I've always enjoyed all things French, so this book seemed worth a go. Druckerman makes a lot of broad generalizations and she doesn't paint American parents in a very positive light (though I can certainly picture the type of over-involved parent she describes), but as a cultural guide into the world of French patenting this book was fascinating. Gave me plenty to think about, and I will certainly take some of what she talks about to heart.
kaylavara's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
Didn’t love the black and white thinking. Seemed like the author had very distinct “American parenting is bad, French parenting is good” feelings and I would have preferred a more nuanced approach. There is good and bad to each culture’s philosophies.
bellezey's review against another edition
3.0
It’s good but it felt like fetishizing on french culture which is something i disliked alot reading this book
mooseygirl9's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. The last parenting book I’ll need. It was captivating and witty the entire way through. There was not a moment of boredom reading this book. What I got from this was basically
1. It’s ok to not make your kids the center of your world - in fact it’s encouraged
I needed to read something like this bc although I hate to admit it I am (was?) a border line “helicopter mom”
This book was also the catalyst for me finally feeling it was the right thing to do to enroll my son in a wonderful daycare/preschool and give myself and my husband space to breathe and be a married couple
1. It’s ok to not make your kids the center of your world - in fact it’s encouraged
I needed to read something like this bc although I hate to admit it I am (was?) a border line “helicopter mom”
This book was also the catalyst for me finally feeling it was the right thing to do to enroll my son in a wonderful daycare/preschool and give myself and my husband space to breathe and be a married couple
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so glad that I read this before even thinking about having kids! It was a fun read and I learned a lot. I am def. a fan of French philosophy when it comes to raising children. Or I should say 'educating' them. There were several parts in this book that made me laugh out loud - and it might turn some readers off that a lot of those parts are about American parents. But if you're an American, and you're reading this novel - face the facts! You see the craziness going on all around you, all the time. And I can attest to the truth behind it. As a middle school teacher I have ENTIRELY too many interactions with the students' parents, and see exactly what the pitfalls of being overly protective and overly pushy can be. The funniest part was Druckerman's observations of American parents on the playground - narrating every moment of their child's play. "weee, you're going down the slide! yay! you picked a blade grass!" Too funny. No wonder my students deserve an A just for handing something in.
Read this book if you're thinking of having kids - read this book if you have infants/toddlers - read this book if you want to laugh - read this book before it's too late!
Read this book if you're thinking of having kids - read this book if you have infants/toddlers - read this book if you want to laugh - read this book before it's too late!
melissakuzma's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not really interested in parenting, but I'm always curious about what the French are up to! As usual, they're going everything right! Very interesting read.