On the Today show, I saw the author being interviewed (it's been a while) but I remember being very intrigued by the concept. At the time I wasn't pregnant but I still managed to keep it in the back of my mind until just recently. I was needing a break from my Sookie Stackhouse books (yes I love trashy books it's just fun to read fun books) and I didn't really want to read another parenting book that makes you feel bad or think you need to redo everything you've been doing.. so I thought I would give this one a try. LOVED IT. I wish I would have read it when I was pregnant. Pregnant ladies get it now!
The author is an American journalist who is raising her kids in Paris. She quickly learns that they do things completely different which leads their children to be well behaved, patient, independent, and great eaters. The French think we are helicopter parents (and we are) where they let their children discover and explore with boundaries. Their life "focus" or what they live by is equilibrium. Living life in a balance. Mothers don't only focus on their children but their husbands, careers, and children equally. If they parents aren't in a happy marriage then that will affect the children. They don't even have "date" nights because it is expected that they parents do things away from their children. All mothers work in France, it is very rare for women to stay home. All the children go to school, although, their daycares/preschools are much different over there. Children are expected to eat real dinners/foods, they don't even have kids meals. I could continue you on but it's a pretty long book.
I found it fascinating! I feel like it was similar to what my parenting style is but it gave me some great ideas too. It also helped me become more confident in the approach I want to take with our children.. because most parents here do things differently. I have always been very big about Jamie and I having our time to keep our marriage healthy (I am absolutely no marriage expert and we by no means have the best relationship but it's what we strive make it better all the time). While we hate leaving Jackson, it's always refreshing to go out and just be alone like we used to. The second thing I have found is that I need to work part time for ME. To have something just for me and feel valued. I love my job so it's important that I can continue doing what I love AND spending part time at home with Jackson. I know most people do not agree with this... but I come from a long line of working mothers (my mom, grandmother, and my great grandmother, who was a teacher even went to college which was a huge deal back in the day) and I really respect them. And they are great mothers!! We can all cook, clean and are extremely nurturing. Talking to my mom this week, I realized that she is the reason why I am very goal oriented, driven, and independent. I have the best mom! But I regress... My other focus to have a well behaved, great eating (no kids meals), smart, independent kid. I think he's doing really well on all of it except maybe that well behaved part.. it's a work in progress. He's really into tantrums if he doesn't get his way (I wonder where he got that from).
With all of that being said, I will be starting a new job in a week! I will still be working part time but with a few more hours. And we have decided in January, Jackson will start a Mommy's Day out preschool program at our church for 1-2 mornings a week. We want him to be around other kiddos and I think he needs to start learning some structure/sharing. We are extremely concerned with his allergies but they assured us they deal with this all time. So very exciting time for all of us!!
