Willy-Ronis-Petit-ParisienI keep trying to write a post about the whole superior French parenting thing (more than one person has sent me Pamela Druckerman's article from the Wall Street Journal) but I am at a loss for an appropriate angle. 

Mainly because I am supremely jealous, want to move to France, befriend the nearest parents of a toddler and observe. 

Like Pamela (author of "Bringing Up Bebe"), I struggle with my daughter's lack of patience and disregard for my authority. 

I would love to sit calmly in the playground while Mazzy plays quietly at my feet. Or enjoy a meal in a restaurant without simultaneously fishing crayons out of my water glass. Or master the art of saying "no" with a force that sufficiently scares her into submission without alerting passerbys to a possible child abuse situation. 

Sadly, it all seems like l'impossible.

French parents, on the other hand, appear to have it all figured out.

Or so the article says.

I've got another theory on why French parents have such an easy time getting their kids to do what they say. I may not have done extensive research, but I have been to France more than once and have at least two years of experience dealing with a child. I am as qualified as anyone in sharing my hypothesis.

5 REASONS FRENCH KIDS BEHAVE BETTER THAN AMERICAN KIDS

1. 

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2.

Chocolate-croissant

3.

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4.

Nutella-Crepes

5.

Nutella1

 

I don't know about your children, but if someone handed my daughter a French baguette with a ramekin of butter, she would be able to occupy herself independently for at least two to three hours. A Nutella banana crepe would BLOW HER MIND. She'd probably take it to her room where nobody else would try to get a bite, polish it off and then go straight to sleep, knowing the sooner she woke up, the sooner she could have another.

My conclusion: 

Maybe the French are superior parents, but we also can't overlook their superior bread and chocolate items with which to bribe their kids.

Now learn to say no, try saying it forcefully, and find out where to buy a quality croissant.

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Photos credited to roboppy, cooking whims, kevin eats, and babble.