It’s probably the most important thing I’ve ever done.

In the name of marital harmony, we rent a larger apartment. He even occasionally says “that was funny” in a monotone. January 2, 2012

What Amy Chua did for tiger mothers, Pamela Druckerman promises to do for French parents. French children and adults believe that it’s very bad to do this. The French children all around us don’t look cowed.
Have they been bribed (or threatened) into submission? I’ve lived in different states and a few different countries. During her years living in France and raising three young children, Pamela Druckerman observes the differences in parenting in France versus the United States and details them in this fascinating book. We order while we’re being seated, then we beg the server to rush out some bread and bring us all our food, appetizers and main courses, simultaneously. French parents seem to vacillate between being extremely strict and shockingly permissive. The point in France isn’t that anything goes. ), Simon was exactly my type: swarthy, stocky, and smart. This French norm is strictly codified. “Discipline,” I soon realize, is a narrow, seldom-used category that deals with punishment. How REFRESHING is that?! Welcome to The Fitnessista, a healthy lifestyle blog emphasizing quick workouts, quick recipes and adventures as a wife and mom. She doesn’t usually go to sleep right away, but she happily plays, sings, and winds down in her bed by herself because we have always done it this way. Why, in America, were people not only not in love with children but so unnerved by the experience of parenthood that many friends of mine have even decided to forego parenthood altogether? It’s quite something. When I say “French parents” I’m generalizing of course. In the North East, it can also be considered insulting or patronizing for a guy to hold open doors or pull out chairs, especially if they insist on it or refuse to let a woman open a door for them.

“Pregnancy should be a time of great happiness!” it declares. Fascinating comments! But within a few minutes she starts spilling salt shakers and tearing apart sugar packets. French children the same age as Bean are sitting contentedly in their high chairs, waiting for their food, or eating fish and even vegetables. I decide that, for Simon’s sake, I’ll give France a real go.
A blend of journalistic curiosity and maternal desperation kicks in. And like me, they find the primitive, mammalian event happening inside their bodies to be uncomfortably out of their control. I remember noticing how well behaved the kids were. . This book sounds really interesting! Then she demands to be sprung from her high chair so she can dash around the restaurant and bolt dangerously toward the docks. .