Adventures in Franco-inspired American parenting--a winning mix of
witty cross-cultural observation, hilariously blunt French wisdom, and
one American mom's journey to create her own hybrid parenting approach
"If there is no blood, don't get up." This single nugget of parenting
gold, offered by a French friend at the end of a long dinner party,
changed everything for writer Catherine Crawford, her husband, and,
especially, the couple's two young daughters. Crawford immediately began
to see that while the United States had become the land of too-involved
parents forever wanting to talk through their kids' feelings about,
well, everything, France employed a far more laissez-faire attitude
toward raising les enfants. Learning to sleep through the night? A few
tears never hurt anyone. Food? Let them eat cake, sure, but only after
they've sampled lamb chops, broccoli rabe, and the stinkiest of cheeses.
Short of shipping her daughters off to Paris for these--and many
other--invaluable early-life lessons, Crawford did the next best thing:
She brought Old World-style parenting to Brooklyn. In the process, she
discovered that her kids could actually hold a thought silently for two
minutes without interrupting adult conversation, and that she didn't, in
fact, need to buy out half the toy store to make their birthdays
special. She even found out how much her kids like lamb chops! While
combining the best attributes of the approach français with what she
saw as American qualities worth preserving, Crawford found a way to save
her household and her sanity. Hilarious and insightful, French Twist
reveals how Crawford and her family survived le grand experiment--and
why they aren't ever going back to the way things were.
Advance praise for French Twist
"Presented with a touch of humor and spot-on descriptions of childhood
(mis)behavior, the advice, which touches on such topics as breastfeeding
and school participation, is practical and useful. A refreshing approach
to raising children."--Kirkus Reviews
"[A] charming and clever parenting chronicle . . . Though some may
prefer their naughty kids just the way they are, this breezy,
entertaining study of parenting a la Paris may prompt others to pour a
café au lait and rethink their strategies."--Publishers Weekly
"French Twist describes an open-minded experiment in French-style
parenting (though apparently there's not even a French word for
parenting!) and reveals itself as an honest examination of the author's
own missteps and prejudices--which we all can relate to--and the whole
overparenting trend in this country. Are Catherine Crawford's
conclusions 'French'? Who cares? They're immensely logical and rational,
and delivered with an abundance of love."--Muffy Mead-Ferro, author of
Confessions of a Slacker Mom
"Ever seen a French child throw a tantrum in a restaurant or talk back
to his parents? Neither has Catherine Crawford. In French Twist she
uncovers the secrets of French child-rearing--and then tries them out on
her own family, with remarkable results. Part memoir, part instruction
manual, French Twist is hilarious, honest, and incredibly
useful."--Lori Leibovich, executive lifestyle editor of The Huffington
Post
"Catherine Crawford has written a great parenting book. I can't wait to
have kids and apply all I have learned here. Wait--hold on. I'm being
told I already have two kids. This is incredible news! I will begin
applying immediately."--Adam Scott, actor, Parks and Recreation
