Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman

Although I’m Canadian, and not bringing up any bébés, I cannot get this book out of my head. Books are such a great way to connect with the people you care about. So when one of the three new moms in my life mentioned she was reading Pamela Druckerman’s Bringing Up Bébé, I checked it out on my library app.

Published in 2012, Druckerman is an American journalist raising her babies in Paris. As a sociology buff, it was fascinating to take in the cultural differences that pushed Druckerman to grab her notebook and spend three years researching this book.

From two to three months, most French babies sleep through the night. They also eat braised leeks and soft cheeses and wait for their afternoon “goûter” to snack on a sweet treat. Through her charming writing, Druckerman unveils the French belief that babies are rational creatures and that they can learn self-control. French parents are strict about a few things but also give their children a lot of freedom.

The juxtaposition of these findings and personal, self-deprecating stories from Druckerman makes her book funny and relatable. There are many practical takeaways that resonated with me as a friend and sister to people with children.  

Yet, it’s tough to ignore the government’s impact in raising French bébés. Free preschool and daycare, accessible healthcare for women to recuperate after birth, loads of vacation time and a joyful focus on healthy lunch programs are just a few.

Marcela Valdes for NPR wrote, “Most seriously, Druckerman underestimates how difficult it may be for American parents to replicate the techniques she admires. Surrounded by adults who can't resist gobbling their own slices of cake, children can hardly be expected to do better.”

This made me laugh while resonating on a deep level. But as I listen to the conversations of the moms in my life and scope out their book picks, I have hope that it’s possible to meet somewhere in the middle.