Are the French Better Parents? Moms Talk

Now it's France's turn at giving American parents an inferiority complex.

Pamela Druckerman's new book, Bringing up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting, is about her experiences as an American mom living in France and wanting to learn why French kids weren't as picky eaters, were better-behaved in restaurants and more independent.

As Druckerman makes the media rounds, it takes us back to 2011's Superior Parents of the Year, Chinese parents. That was thanks to Amy Chua's Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother and a Wall Street Journal article (an excerpt from the book) that came across as condescending, didatic, self-righteous and smug.

That book annoyed me mostly because several people said, "Oh, that's your friend's new book?" No, that's A Tiger in the Kitchen. Sorry, wrong tiger.

Druckerman's book is different from Chua's in that it's taken from the approach of an outsider who wants to learn. She learned by observing French parents and children in the parks, in restaurants, at home. And then talking with them.

One lesson she took was that the primary job of a parent that of teacher. The primary things to teach from the beginning are patience and self-control. To do this, parents need to be comfortable with their own authority without having to bargain or yell.

Today, let's talk other cultures, parenting and your observations.

What do you think American parents can learn from other cultures? What do you wish you could change about the parenting culture in America?

Joining us, as always, is our awesome Moms Council.

Julie A. Short is a freelance reporter with Patch. Julie a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in 2010.

Monina Wagner works in public relations. She has a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

Stephanie Predovich is a mom of four children ages 6 and under with her husband, Bill. Their fourth child, Colette, arrived Jan. 10. Stephanie also works part-time.

Christine Papesch is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

Michele Welshhans is a mom to a Girl Scout and lives in Avon.

Heather Mahoney is the newest member of the Avon Board of Education and past president of Avon Early Childhood PTA. She will also be blogging for Avon Patch. If you're a parent and want to share your experiences raising children in Avon, you, too, can become an Avon Patch blogger.