St. Michael vs. St. Mere Eglise: Are French Parents Better?

First it was the "Tiger Mom," and now, it's a French mom. The newest parenting book, and critique of American parenting, hit book shelves earlier this month.

In her piece, "Why French Parents are Better," author Pamela Druckerman describes in her Wall Street Journal essay observations that led to reform in her own life, being an American ex-pat in France.

She describes a night out at dinner that most of us would consider normal, but she realizes that none of the French children are acting up, having tantrums or pushing the envelope the way hers are, and the way she sees other American children do on a regular basis.

Some of Druckerman's biggest observations–and where French parents really seemed to have success and pull rank over American parent– includes delaying gratification. There's also the importance of independent play, and the value of strict authority, which is saying "no" and meaning it.

She's not the first (nor the last) to point out the errors of our parenting ways. And from what I've read thus far, I can't help but feel she is on to something.

As American parents we overthink, overtalk and overparent everything when it comes to our kids. And it starts in the womb–with all of the pre-planning, and the talking and early decisions.

I've caught myself many times overexplaining myself to my kids when I say no for something. Really, according to French parenting at least, the answer is a firm no, and we move on. Yet, I've been stuck in the argument enough to exhaust myself too many times to count.

It seems a normal expectation to apologize to friends and family when our kids interrupt our phone calls or time together, yet the French expect no interruptions from children. Even if they are age 3.

She claims in the article that French children eat one snack a day, at 4:30 p.m. I can't help but think I would spend my entire day saying "no" if that were the case here.

But I've noticed the change from my own upbringing to now, where as kids we were expected to go play on our own, or with siblings. However, now it seems so much is catered to our kids via entertainment.

To that end of the American parenting spectrum, though, are the parents who can't even look up from their computer or iPhone long enough to pay any attention to their kids. So where's the line on that one?

Overall, I find these essays and articles questioning American parenting interesting. We all know just how personally we take our kids and the way we raise them, but both Tiger Mom and French Mom seem to bring up appropriate observations of where American parents seem to throw up their arms, let the white flag hang and let the kids run the show.

But I encourage you to check out the article and tell us ... Is Ms. Druckerman on to something?