The family way (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

The family way

7:00am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Lifestyle

Pamela Druckerman, author of French Children Don't Throw Food, discusses her tips for bringing up kids in an easier and more pleasurable way, as outlined in her new practical handbook French Parents Don't Give In.

By Lisa Salmon

Like children the world over, French youngsters can be badly behaved, sleep poorly, eat fussily and have tantrums.

But such behaviour is not the norm, insists author Pamela Druckerman. After bringing up three young children in the country, she firmly believes that the French style of parenting is more pleasurable and easier than the British way.

She says the more relaxed Gallic style of child-rearing achieves the results many British parents struggle for - and she wants to share her knowledge of their methods with parents this side of the Channel.

American Druckerman moved to Paris after meeting her English husband, who works in France, and they now have three children - twin boys aged four, and a seven-year-old girl, all born in France.

She first wrote about her experiences of French parenting in the best-selling book French Children Don't Throw Food (Black Swan, £7.99), which proved so popular that she's now condensed its advice into 100 key tips in the new guide French Parents Don't Give In.

She says: "Of course there are French children who are picky eaters or who took 18 months to sleep through the night, but that's not the norm."

She points out that British and American parents tend to 'micromanage' their children, and seem to believe parents should dedicate themselves completely to the child, sometimes sacrificing both their wellbeing and relationship as a result.

"But the French believe you have to find a balance between what's good for the parents and what's good for the child," explains Druckerman.

"If everything's continuously set around the child, it's considered out of balance by the French, and not good for the parents or the child."

Highlighting this more laissez-faire parenting style, one of Druckerman's tips is not to over-stimulate children, and another is that extra-curricular activities are for pleasure, not competitive advantage.

"The French idea is yes your children need stimulation, so read to them, show them things, play with them - but not all the time. The goal is balance," she explains.

She addresses all the common parental concerns about eating, discipline and sleeping, pointing out, for example, that it's usual for French parents to say their baby sleeps through the night at three or four months of age, never because they're left to cry, but because they use sleep teaching, a gradual process that follows the baby's cues.

French parents will probably pause for a few minutes before going to baby when he/she cries, just in case they manage to fall asleep again themselves.

Druckerman says she tries to get her kids to eat like the French, and her tips are aimed at encouraging children to eat a variety of foods at meal times, and not to eat between meals.

Examples of French food tactics are for children to at least taste every food on the table, and for parents to serve smaller portions, not to pressurise a child to clear their plate, and serve more if the child asks for seconds.

"They instil very good eating habits - when kids sit at the table, they're hungry and that makes an enormous difference," explains Druckerman.

"They serve vegetables first - if the first thing a hungry child sees is some carrots or broccoli, he's much more likely to eat it, and things at the table are more likely to be pleasant instead of confrontational.

"They present food as something pleasurable, as an experience or a journey you're going on together."

It sounds ideal to prevent the battles that erupt between many parents and children at mealtimes. However, Druckerman warns such strategies won't be successful overnight. A gradual introduction is key, she says.

"The French idea is that if something doesn't work the first time, you don't switch to a whole new theory. You have to have a quiet confidence in yourself and the principle and give it time to take hold and become a habit."

As for authority, Druckerman explains that the French say you're not disciplining your child, you're educating them. Bearing in mind that many bad reactions, such as food throwing, are part of a learning curve may make it easier for parents to deal with feeling angry and disrespected, she says.

"It's a gradual process, and if there's some spilled milk on the way, that's just part of it, but you keep your eye on the long-term goal to instil certain habits," she explains.

Druckerman says she's been told by both British and American parents that the French methods feel like a return to common sense.

While she's undoubtedly impressed with the French way of raising children, is there anything she thinks the French could learn from the British?

"Yes - I think they could cheer up a bit," she laughs.

"France is a famously pessimistic place, and I think they could learn from the British sense of humour, and the American/Anglo influence of creativity and letting kids express themselves."

Nevertheless, she's convinced that adopting at least some of the French parenting methods could benefit many British families, and stresses: "You don't have to become a French person to adopt these common-sense habits.

"Learning from the French parenting style isn't something that's going to make parenting simple suddenly - but it's something that should make life a little bit easier."

:: French Parents Don't Give In is published by Doubleday, priced £12. Available now.

Ask the expert Q: "My two-year-old daughter has just returned home after a minor operation in hospital. How can I tell if she's hurting, and what can I do to help her?"

A: Professor Bernie Carter, a professor of children's nursing at the University of Central Lancashire, was the lead researcher for the new WellChild-funded website My Child Is In Pain.

She says: "It's likely that your daughter will experience some pain for a few days after her operation, although every child responds differently. You'll know how she usually reacts to pain and you can use this as a guide to help you judge if she's in pain.

"Ask your daughter if she's hurting (use a word she knows). If you're still not sure, then look for clues such as whether she's reluctant to move or if she's protecting the part of her body that was operated on.

"Most children in pain will cry or whimper and parents often instinctively know if the cry is a pain cry. Your daughter might look anxious or tense and parents can often see from their child's face and eyes if they're in pain - trust your instincts.

"Being in pain is frightening, so she may be clingier than usual. It's really important for you to spend time with your daughter to make her feel safe. Talking to her and reassuring her that the pain will go away will help her understand and not be scared.

"Cuddling, gentle rocking and stroking can all help soothe her and reduce her pain. Playing, reading or watching a favourite DVD can be very good ways of taking her mind off the pain. All of these things can help you feel more in control."

:: For more information on how to deal with a child's pain, visit www.mychildisinpain.org.uk Wheely good fun My First Scooter A three-in-one training scooter that grows with your child, converting from a beginner's four-wheeler to a three-wheeler and then a two-wheeled scooter that can be folded away. Suitable for children aged two years and over, available from Tesco, Toys R Us, Argos, Amazon and all good toy shops, priced £19.99.

Bobike Child Safety Seats A range of bicycle safety seats with features including safety belts and foot supports that can be securely mounted on the rear of an adult's bike, so mum or dad do all the hard work and junior just enjoys the ride. Suitable from nine months to 10 years, available from leading bicycle and baby specialists, priced from £59.99-£129.99. For stockist details, visit www.madison.co.uk Dream Smart-Trike A trike with a swivel wheel and touch steering that transforms in four ways: from parent-controlled with a handlebar when the child is a beginner, through two interim stages to a classic trike with functioning pedals and no parent's handlebar. Suitable from 10 months to three years plus, £99.99, available from Toys R Us, Argos, Mothercare and ELC.