RAISING A GOURMET EATER

The number of books and ways to parent a child in America are as endless as the combinations of individuality and uniqueness of people and families in America.  Adding to this list of parenting advice is Pamela Druckerman's book Bringing Up Bebe:  One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting.  Bringing Up Bebe is a well-researched, amusing view at French parenting from an American perspective.  Druckerman notes all of the typically American experiences she has as she raises her first child - She feels as if her life is devoted to this sole being, she is getting no sleep, and cannot have a decent meal in a restaurant with her child in tow.  She notices that French parents don't seem to have this problem.  They enjoy adult conversations, their babies sleep through the night around 3-4 months old, and their children calmly enjoy a multi-course meal in public (surprisingly eating the same things as their parents).  Pamela Druckerman is astounded and a bit jealous.  How do French parents do this?

Through a series of observations, interviews, and research of France's parenting experts, day-care staff, and French parents, Druckerman discovers and practices the art and wisdom of French Parenting.  From "doing their nights" to teaching children autonomy at an early age and acting courteously to adults and one another, Druckerman explores the benefits of government subsidized childcare and a parenting style which most of Parisian society seems to agree on in a humorous and honest way.