Here are a couple of parenting books I greatly enjoyed:

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (disponible en francais: L’hymne de la bataille de la mère Tigre par Amy Chua)

China is on the rise! Not only economically but culturally. We are moving into a world where Western parents are enrolling their kids in mandarin classes at the age of 2, schools in New York are offering frequent cultural immersion trips to China and Western moms also want to know how Chinese moms raise their kids!

Here is a great book by a Chinese, westernized (2^nd generation in America) mom caught between two cultures as she tries to raise her two daughters on rigid Chinese principles in America. It is inspiring at times, shocking at times and “lol” funny at others!

To associate with the story it’s ideal to read this book when your kids are at school age.

Funny quote from the book:

“Stop it Mommy. Just stop it.” [Lulu / the daughter]

“Lulu, I didn’t say anything,” I [the mom] replied. “I didn’t say one word.”

“Your brain is annoying me,” Lulu said. “I know what you’re thinking.” [Lulu]

Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman (disponible en francais: Bébé made in France. Quels sont les secrets de notre éducation)

This book is another insightful mommy memoir. The story is set in Paris where an American journalist becomes a mom and discovers that French parenting is as great as French Couture and French Cheese! It’s very witty and awakening!

To associate with the story or take advantage of the advice given, it’s ideal to read this book if you’re expecting a baby or you’re a new mom.

Passages from the book:

“These books can be useful to people who lack confidence, but I don’t think you can raise a child while reading a book. You have to go with your feeling,” one Parisian mother said.

“Having a baby who sleeps through the night early on seems to be the norm in France. Just as stories of terrible sleepers are easy to find among the Americans, stories of spectacular sleepers are easy to find among the French.”