Bringing Up Bébé

Welcome to a fresh parenting perspective discovered by an American parent living in France. From the outside, French families appear calm, with children who happily dine on full-course meals and greet strangers politely. Yet behind this serenity is a set of guiding principles that blend strictness and freedom in surprising ways.

In these pages, we’ll explore how French parents create a family life that’s focused yet flexible, offering just the right amount of structure so children thrive. You’ll see that discipline doesn’t mean harshness, and freedom doesn’t mean chaos. Instead, it’s a patient approach that respects both child and adult needs.

As we begin, think of this as an invitation to reflect on your own family’s daily rhythm—moments of dance between boundaries and independence. This is not about perfection. It’s about learning how small tweaks in mindset and expectations can yield big returns in joy, peace, and meaningful rapport with our kids.

French parents often highlight the benefits of having coherent, predictable routines for children, especially around eating and sleeping. Rather than feeding on impulse or reacting to every fuss, they gradually guide babies into a schedule that mirrors the family’s mealtimes. This allows children to learn that mealtimes are set events, not random snack stops.

One striking idea is **The Pause**, where parents wait a few moments before rushing in when a baby cries, especially at night. This small delay helps parents distinguish between real distress and brief sleep-cycle noises. Babies often settle themselves back to sleep—an early lesson in self-soothing.

Kids quickly grow confident within these routines. By aligning with a natural daily flow, they begin to feel that mealtimes, naps, and bedtimes are simply part of life’s rhythm. It’s not a rigid system, but rather a gentle structure that respects each child’s personality while helping them develop resilience.