'Bringing Up Bebe' Audiobook Review

Bringing Up Bebe

Audiobook: Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman
Ready by: Abby Craden
Genre: Memoir

I’ve been curious about the book ever since its release but decided I missed the boat, since my kids were already past toddlerhood. But to satisfy my occasional Francophile itch (my copy of Amalie is MIA) I grabbed the audiobook from the library and popped it in. And I’m happy I did.

My conclusion: Parisian mothers don’t have it all worked out (glad to affirm that we’re all floundering) but they view some parenting concepts in much different ways.

For instance, they embrace day care – mostly because it’s government subsidized and the care givers are practically pediatricians. They often say “the perfect mother doesn’t exist.” And they don’t believe in over-scheduling children but allowing them freedom to discover, or “awaken.” Independent play is hugely important. Their kids sleep through the night at 3 months (mine did too) and are good eaters – though I suspect the latter is due to those excellent day care chefs.

Parisians seemed to have figure out how to stay true to themselves and not fold into the “I am a mother now” trap that I’ve seen some women do. And going back to work is the norm in Paris (though, it IS the most expensive city in Europe). The author gave an example that, at dinner parties, if a stranger knew she had kids, they’d still ask “what do you do?” Where here, it’s always assumed I stay home with the kids. Always.

Lastly, I've always fantasied about raising kids in a different country, so hearing Pamela's experience let me live vicariously. There are plenty ups and downs of Americans raising little Parisians.

Overall, I’m glad I heard this book after a few years of parenting experience, because, pre-kids, I might not have fully understood what was wise and what was plain unrealistic.

I wonder if there’s a raising kids in Spain book, too?