Comments on: Are German Parents as Superior as French Parents?

By: jjpark

jjpark — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:41:21 +0000

Thanks for the feedback, Lania, and glad to have provided some humour in your day! Re the sleep, I was referring to the original WSJ article/book where she claimed that French babies sleep through the night or that French parents didn’t seem to have the same issues of getting their babies to sleep which American parents seem to. My summary was that this was also an agonising topic for German parents as well, unlike in France, as the author claimed.

By: jjpark

jjpark — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:37:58 +0000

You raise another interesting perspective, particularly of a homeschooling parent presumably in Germany. This, as you know, is a contentious issue in this rather rigid culture. I’d love to hear more about your experiences if you ever care to guest blog about it.

By: jjpark

jjpark — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:35:38 +0000

You sound like a real mean mommy, Ruth. ;) Impressive!

By: Lania

Lania — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:13:29 +0000

Your article made me laugh a lot – I know MAAANY German children that don’t even EAT at the table but somewhere else in the house and that don’t stay seated a minute. Annoying, but the truth ;-)
Referring to the toys: Ultimately, we observed that our toddler plays even better and is less bored the less toys he has to choose of. He uses to be in his room from 1 to 3 pm and has the choice of either sleep or read books… He enjoys it and is very relaxed afterwards.
But I don’t get the point about the sleeping story, sorry :-)

By: terrilynnmerritts

terrilynnmerritts — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:06:53 +0000

I always have a problem when there is a presumption that ALL American kids are a certain way or ALL German parents do this or that. I homeschooled my family and while I am very affectionate and open-minded in parenting, I never allowed kids to run about in restaurants or anywhere else and mine could have long conversations on intellectual topics long before the teens. Chicken nuggets and fries for all American kids? I don’t think so. As a vegan family and for our vegan friends, we don’t eat dead animals, chicken menstruation (eggs) or drink cow secretions. We eat the healthiest diet there is . We are never bored. With books, nature, animals, music and art in the world, how do you get bored? On the other hand, I am apparently a much more open-minded, loving and affectionate parent than what is described yet have a family that is highly intellectual and begin college studies in the mid teens. Parenting is not something so easily broken down into parts. To discuss it as if American parents are inferior to German parents who are inferior to French parents who are inferior to a mean Chinese mother is absurd.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:49:10 +0000

Hyde you have a point on teenagers and conversation – I have some experience there, teaching kids from both cultures on a regular basis.
And Jane, I have yet to meet a German parent who is as strict as I am, perhaps I am just the exception to the American rule… :) (grains of salt well taken, thank you!!)

By: HF

HF — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:06:38 +0000

I first noticed the differences in childrearing in German teenagers when I did exchanges with my US high school students in Germany. The Germans are brought up to be much more independent and could actually carry on an intelligent conversation, sitting around for hours just talking. Many of my US students had difficulty doing the same thing (in English or German). It may be changing somewhat with smartphones and iPods these days, but I prefer the German way in this regard. (PS – This is a topic that deserves more exploration in our [possible] expat book.)