The Good Stuff Advice is practical and makes total sense Fabulous Index and Bibliography (We know these things are important to me & yes I am a geek thank you very much) Fascinating and would lead to some fabulous discussions at Girls Night Out with the Mom's or book clubs Extremely well researched Self deprecating, honest and funny - she really doesn't hold back on her "supposed" failings as an "American" parent Doesn't "really" judge (though at times it does come across this way) just gives you her thoughts and observations I definitely agree with many of her points and would like to make some changes with my own parenting style Fabulous story on page 33 - sorry no spoilers Liked the inclusion of a couple of unique recipes Thought provoking and makes you take a look at how you are raising your own children The Not So Good Stuff Though she really does try it still does come across as rather patronizing Would have liked her to have included some information/pointers-- um if your kids are older -- and um you would like to fix some of your parenting mistakes -- just sayin -- not that we are talking about me or anything She seems to have some issues with French people so why would she want to raise her children to perhaps turn out like them (really having a hard time trying to explain what I am trying to get across with this point) At times a tad repetitive and at times I was irritated by the constant generalizations -- not every American parent is over permissive and not every French parent is calm and perfect Also the advice is very similar to how I was raised as a child, in Canada, so I don't think this is necessarily a French parenting style I am also concerned that the schools, not the parents are doing the majority of the raising of French children and how does that affect their growth as human beings (again having a hard time with explaining this point -- must get coffee) Favorite Quotes/Passages "I hadn't thought I was supposed to admire French parenting. It isn't a thing, like French fashion or French cheese. No one visits Paris to soak up the local views on parental authority and guilt management. Quite the contrary: the American mothers I know in Paris are horrified that French mothers barely breast-feed, and their four-year-olds walk around with pacifiers." "But by the time a child is three, French birthday parties are drop-offs. We're supposed to trust that our kids will be okay without us. Parents are usually invited to come back at the end for a glass of champagne and some hobnobbing with the other moms and dads. Simon and I are thrilled whenever we get invitations: it's free babysitting, followed by a cocktail party." (FYI - I'm a Canadian and this is how we throw kids parties too) "It becomes clear how French our kids' eating habits have become when we visit America. My mom is excited to introduce Bean to that American classic, macaroni and cheese fro a box. But Bean won't eat more than a few bites. "that's not cheese," she says. I think I detect her first sneer." Who Should/Shouldn't Read Thinking American parents will often be offended on how poorly they are portrayed Fabulous for a book club - especially one with Moms Will be passing this on to a friend who could really benefit from some of the ideas (she is seriously stressed out and her toddler is ruling the roost - and no judging here, as we are struggling with our toddler as well) 3.5 Dewey's I purchased this from Indigo on recommendation of Jeremy Cammy (My go to guy for non-fiction)

I found this book to be an interesting read and I'd really like to live in France if we ever have children. As the author explains, there are certain parts of bringing up bebe in France that may seem hard to North Americans, but the ideals make a lot of sense. The French know how to enjoy themselves and do not let their lives get caught up in all things children once a baby arrives. The author does a good job of explaining child rearing in France and comparing it to the very different methods used here in North America. It really was interesting to read. My one major complaint was that, in part, this book seemed to read like a collection of articles on the topic. Regardless of whether or not a person was introduced in a previous chapter, she gives a mini bio of them again, and again. This grew old by the end of the book. The book is definitely worth the read regardless of this little complaint.