A mom raised in France uses a child’s drawing to show the different attitudes European and American parents have
There’s never been one way to parent, and no one—no matter where they live—receives an instruction book when they get sent home with their new baby. But social media has given us all a fascinating glimpse into how parenting styles can differ around the world. One mom, who was raised in Paris but is now raising her kids in the U.S., is going viral on TikTok for using a silly drawing of a rabbit to illustrate the differences between French and American parents.
Cécilia Jourdan wrote in the caption of her video, “I’ve noticed many differences between how French and American parents raise their kids.”
@hellofrenchnyc 🇫🇷 vs. 🇺🇸 Which parenting style do you think is best for children? I’ve noticed many differences between how French and American parents raise their kids. One salient difference is how American parents tend to encourage their children a lot and praise their accomplishments (even the tiny ones) while French parents are less congratulatory and have a more up-front approach. There are, of course, caveats when comparing these two parenting styles. Each country has many variations, and kids may receive very different upbringings. However, as a French native who grew up in Paris (raised by French parents) and spent her adult life in the US, I’ve realized that the kind of feedback kids receive from adults (not just parents, but also teachers, for example) is quite different in each country. I feel fortunate that my parents encouraged me and supported me in many ways (and did not shame mistakes or failures), but I’ve noticed that in the US, praising & confidence building is taken to another level. I’m not saying that one parenting style is better than the other. Maybe a mix of the two could actually be healthy. I know how parenting is personal and difficult. I’m not here to judge (I was a step-parent in my twenties and I understand the many challenges of raising a child). I’d love to know your thoughts about parenting and learn from your experiences! What other differences do you think exist between the French and American parenting styles? 📚If you’d like to learn French, check out my eBook to learn all the French essentials in a fun & interactive way. Available in the link in my bio or website: hellofrenchnyc.com/shop. If Paris is on your bucket list, make sure to get The Paris Bundle ✨ . . . . #french #learnfrench #frenchlanguage #education #frenchforkids #frenchparents #parenting #frencheducation #frenchlesson #frenchwords #nyc #paris
♬ Jacob and the Stone – Emile Mosseri
In the video, she first pretends to be an American mom who has just been handed a scribbly pen drawing of a bunny by her child. Gasping in awe, she heaps the child with praise, promising to enroll her in art school and hang the picture on the refrigerator, adding, “Thank you, my little artist.”
Then, she switches to a French parent. She calls the picture “cute,” but then adds, “The ears look funny… and the body, did you forget it?” Before you think the French parent is too harsh, she continues on, telling the child the drawing is “a good start” and offering to help her learn to draw a better rabbit.
In the caption, Jourdan explains that as someone who was raised in France and is now raising her own kids in the U.S., she’s witnessed both these styles firsthand.
“I’m not saying one parenting style is better than the other,” she writes. “Maybe a mix of the two could actually be healthy. I know how parenting is personal and difficult. I’m not here to judge.”
And that’s really the important takeaway here: French, American, or any other nationality, we all have our own styles, preferences, and ideas when it comes to parenting. But as long as we’re doing it with love, we’re doing our best.
