to be irritated by the premise of "French Children don't Throw Food"

[OhdearNigel]

Was in the local children's bookshop and the owner had a proof copy of this
www.amazon.co.uk/French-Children-Dont-Throw-Food/dp/0385617615/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322218169&sr=1-1
sent to her.

I freely admit that I haven't read any of it but I am irritated by it already. France is not some bloody paragon of sophistication and wonder. I have seen plenty of very badly behaved French children. I love France but the woman are not all Coco Chanel, gourmet, sexy glamourpusses. In fact walk down any street in France and you are unlikely to see such a creature.
My best friend in childhood was French and the most exotic dinner her Mum made was chopped cheese and pepper mixed with salad cream and then grilled on toast. Hardly the Ritz.

OK - I've lived here 16 years with a French husband and three children in the school system. I have very rarely seen smacking - it is not regular. I think french women are slimmer but not necessarily better dressed and London is definitely more fun. Also they don't dress up much to go out like the British which is a shame as I like to scrub-up from time to time.

The children are generally well behaved but there are occasional little monsters as everywhere. I love the way they say hello and especially my daughters' teenage friends who greet me and fait la bise and don't treat me as if I have two heads.

There is a big expat community where I live and in the restaurants when the kids were younger you could really spot the British from the French. The British were generally louder and seem to be able to get down from table and run round the restaurant whereas the French kids never did this. I was very concious about keeping my kids in line in this respect as did not want to seem like unruly brits. I would say this also applies to British on a night out where they drink and get quite loud girls or boys nights out also tend to stand out a mile from the french.

I agree with everything they said about arrogance although I don't find them at all like the americans (my kids are in an american school). Entirely different cultures!

I read the book and thought it was brilliant, informative and funny. The author is very honest about her children and her marriage and is the first to admit French mothers aren't perfect but they do seem to have a better balance when it comes to their children. Its not all about the kids they appear to have time for themselves and their partners as well as having a social life, and getting a good night sleep. Thats sounds good to me.