French Parenting Tips Parisians Swear By

French parenting isn’t perfect, but there’s a lot we can learn from.

A job that is 365 days a year: being a mother is a 24/7 role, filled with teachable moments, rewarding moments, and even some silly moments. Every family operates differently, but there are always a few keys rules of thumb every mother tries to live by. We’ve compiled a list of a few parenting tips that Parisians swear by to possibly add into the mix of parenting tools you are already employing.

Respect, maturity and simplicity.

The French have created a parenting style that is based on respect, maturity, and simplicity. Read on to discover a few tips to either help you in raising your child or maybe even remind you to call up your own mom and thank her for raising you and taking up the crazy role of being a mother.

Photography by Matthew Kristall

 

1. Make Mealtime a Mandatory Family Time

The French are big on family. Any time that family can be together is treasured and valued as a time to give thanks and be in communion with the people who will support and love you throughout it all. Even if it is not possible to eat together every night, the French make sure to schedule at least three nights a week that is dedicated to family time. This instills a sense of community and respect in a child, taking the casualness of eating out of the picture.

Everyone is seating at the table at the same time. No screens AT ALL around the dinner table. No video games, iPods, iPads or iPhones. No television in the corner of the room playing the news. It’s important to teach them young to share moments like that. My 20 months old son will not start eating unless we are all seated at the table! Sometimes is hard and you just want give the iPad which is totally cool, who hasn’t done it before? But giving them the routine of sharing a meal together is important.

High-chairs we love:

 

we share the food but also share the conversation.

 

2. Whatever the Parents are Eating, the Kids are Eating Too

Going along with the mandatory family dinner times, French parents often do not provide a “child’s menu” at home. Whatever the parents are eating, the kids are eating too. Creating a more wide-ranging palette for your child at a young age teaches them to not be picky, and thus disrespectful, when they venture out to eat with different people (introducing them as early as 5 or 6 months to different fruits and vegetables is totally fine). The French believe in exposing their children to these strong and more mature flavors, making mealtimes a time to be grateful and experience fun and exotic flavors all together as a family.

If your baby is younger you can ‘purée’ your meal

 

zero-snack policy is key

Contrary to what one may think, the correct number of meals per day is four: breakfast, lunch, “goûter” and dinner. There is a strict zero-snack policy in-between those meals.

 

 

 

3. No Baby Talk

In an effort to promote a strong vocabulary and proper communication skills, you won’t often hear Parisian parents speaking to their children with baby talk. It is never too early to start educating your child and introducing them to a world of vast communication and scholarly conversations. Follow in the steps of the French, and opt for integrating a couple of words and phrases you would use in adult conversations with your child to promote a future of literate aptitude.

 

4.Show Your Children that Adult Time is Necessary Too

Being a parent is a very hands-on task that, while gratifying, can be taxing. The Parisians are not shy when it comes to telling their children that some adult alone time is necessary! Having some adult time to either go off and read a book by yourself or call up some friends where the conversation won’t just revolve around soccer practice and feeding schedules is a totally valid and well-deserved move. Parisians swear by this to allow for a time for mom and dad to recharge, while simultaneously teaching their children respect and patience.

 

5. Manners, Manners, Manners

As you could probably tell by reading all the other tips, respect is very important. Disciplining their children to be patient, gracious and polite is as important as teaching them the ABC’s. Parisian’s accomplish this by teaching children to engage in eye contact and never forget their pleases and thank you’s. Colloquial greetings are forbidden, interrupting is not allowed, and valuing family time above most else are ways the French perfect raising children with commendable manners.

Same rules stand for the meal times.”The fork goes to the mouth, not the mouth to the fork.” It is important a very young age to show them how to hold the fork, and how to seat properly at a dining table. 

photo credit: Flickrr

Parisians are aware of the difficulties and confusions that come along with childhood and help out their children, and themselves, by creating a culture of open family communication and respect. This laid back yet firm style of parenting seems to raise up generations that value quality time and courteous interactions. 

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