- Bébé Day by Day: 100 Keys to French Parenting

Why should you buy this book when technically, the author isn't presenting anything new that wasn't already mentioned in "Bringing Up Bebe"? Well, because your in-laws probably aren't going to bother reading B.U.B. This crystallizes the philosophy of the first book, and can easily be read in an hour or two. You can highlight the most important of the 100 keys so that it becomes a very handy reference guide to help keep you grounded in the midst of the daily grind. The accessibility of it is definitely worth the price. Do I agree with 100% of what the author says? Nope, but that's okay. I'm suspicious of anyone who says they unerringly subscribe to an author's views, anyway. I won't get into what I disagree with, because really, I might diverge from the author on some particulars, but what's important here is that the author eloquently makes the case for traditionalist parenting. Where else can we find this kind of treatise in a culture that is supersaturated with attachment parenting? Grant a lot of freedom within a firm set of boundaries. Raise a child who always asks permission of parents who try to say yes as often as they can. Create routines that offer a comforting rhythm for the child but are not slavishly adhered to if circumstances change. A child can learn to sleep through the night and develop a taste for a variety of foods. Treat the child as a member of the family, not the center of the family. Give the child real responsibilities that contribute to the family so that he feels useful. Teach your child self-control by asking them to wait and not immediately rescuing them from their frustration. Respect a child's autonomy and independent play time. These maxims have fallen by the wayside in American homes for the past thirty years, but thanks to this book, I have a resource that offers a glimpse into the calm home of loving, assertive parents who say, "C'est moi qui décide," or in English, "It is me who decides."

While this book was a little shorter than I would like given the cover price, it was so deliciously appealing to me, a woman pregnant for the first time, that I had to ration out the chapters so I didn't finish it too soon. I could've easily read it in one sitting. If you've read her other book, Bringing Up Bebe, nothing in this book will come as a revelation or surprise to you. However, since it's been a couple months since I read the first one, I was absolutely delighted to have the refresher course on the actual principles brought up in the first book without having to read all of the stories over again. I mean, I really enjoyed the stories the first time around, don't get me wrong, but when I return to a book like this, it's because I'm interested in the concepts. This book did a marvelous job of condensing the concepts into short tidbits that are easy to share with your partner or caregivers, or just keep yourself inspired and remind yourself of some of these ideas. There are a few recipes in the back of what they serve at the French day cares, some of which sounded delicious and like I definitely want to try them. Overall, the book is priced much higher than it should be given the fact that it is such a slim volume, and I'm especially offended by the price of the digital version as opposed to the hardcover version. Do publishers not realize they are only making consumers angry by charging similarly for a digital version as for an actual physical copy? It doesn't make me more loyal to Penguin for example to feel that they are gouging me. However, I know the author probably has zero say in the pricing, so that it doesn't affect my tremendously positive feelings about this book. If you are a new parent or pregnant, I would absolutely recommend this book as a reassuring and laid-back approach to parenting. You may not end up using all of the ideas, but it is certainly worth a read and the writing is so fluid that you'll find your time with the book an absolute pleasure.

My wife wanted us to read this to see how it was so I ordered it while deployed. It wound up being a pretty quick read. A lot of the points made are ones I personally thought were fairly common sense, etc, but they are still good points and there are some other interesting ones as well. Plus, for those who like to cook, it includes a few recipes in the back. It basically talks about raising your kids as small people instead of puppies on two legs.

My husband and I love this book! Bebe Day by Day gives great, quick parenting advice. The book is divided into several different sections with 100 bullet points in total. The entire book took about 45 minutes to read. Nothing Pamela Druckerman writes is revolutionary, but the advice is worthy of being repeated. Her advice is simple, like sit at a table and eat veggies first. There are some behavioral advice like allow the kids to play by themselves, keep child free zones in the house and ask " Are you proud of yourself?" (you'll have to read the book for the explanation :) ). Most importantly, the suggestions have worked for us.

I am feeling so encouraged by this book as a soon to be mama. It is so well written and so interesting that it just draws you in. Yes, people joke about having no instruction booklet with kids but this really lays out a way to head off a lot of uncomfortable situations that can arise while parenting before they happen. It is so succinct and easy to use. Even my husband likes reading it because it is so very approachable and informative. I love useful and fun books and this one is very well done! I will keep it and refer to it often.

brilliant aide memoir to French kids don't throw food.

Entertaining and informative

Avevo letto un altro libro della stessa autrice che mi ha entusiasmato e ho acquistato anche questo. Molto divertente e realistico e poi si impara l'inglese!

I did not know I was looking for this. What a fun & lighted hearted & succinct way to share my (European background) style of parenting with my (North American) spouse. It helped me espouse & understand my views & opened many topics up for discussion in a more informed, clear and open manner.

Resume de "Bebe made in France" ('pillule" sans histoire personnelle de l'auteur) donc pas vraiment utile d'acheter les deux. Disponible seulement en anglais - si on veut faire des comparaisons linguistiques entre les deux...