French Twist

American children are brats.

(Ouch. That hurts.)

That's true. We know it is true. But it still hurts to write it down.

And I'm not just talking about Other People's Children. I'm talking the children I raised and the children I see in my work and in my life. There are, of course, a few exceptions. But by and large, American children are brats. They want to be the center of attention. They want everything they see. They are engaged in shallow pursuits. They do not respect others. They eat terrible food. They are self-centered and unhappy.

Catherine Crawford has noticed that this is not true of French children. It became obvious to her that this is something she should research and share with others. So she did. And here is her book.

And I like it. It's full of ideas about ways American parents are wrong and French parents are right. (Ouch, that hurts, too, doesn't it?) Crawford has not only researched these ideas, but she has attempted to put them into practice and they have (by and large) worked well for her.

I hope, if you are a parent who is exhausted and disappointed with your overly-stylized children, that you will take a look at this book. Please. And will you give these ideas a try? Thanks. From all of us grownups who have to live with said American children.