French Parents: Vive La Difference?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by guihong

All that said, I can have kids in the house and instantly pick out the ones raised in another country-or at least in another style. I have found many American kids to be much more self-centered from parents who do everything for them, expect nothing, and try to be their best friend. Even American parents of a century ago-heck, my own parents-expected me to toe the line and while they were friendly and warm, they were not my friend. I was raised to fit into the family and contribute something from very young, and I think that is one thing we've really gotten away from. I think we do kids a disservice when we (as mothers) swoop down and do everything and fight every battle for them.

All that said again, in America, when mothers do stay home with small kids (and I did), I've never seen so much guilt for little pleasures like a pedi or even a bath. That doesn't seem to happen in France or other countries. I just don't see the burnout and running into the ground in the mothers from any other country, not just France. SNIP

This is what I believe was the point of the article - the type of American parents you are speaking about here.