As we built up the Frenchparents web site, we grew more and more familiar with the differences in approaches to child bearing and child rearing between the French and Northern Californian cultures.

We believe we are much richer and wiser from our knowledge of these two approaches: we know that what is set in stone in one culture is hogwash in another- and they are supposed to be quite close aren't they?
The French approach tends to 'free' the woman more from a very motherly role the first year, which can be quite welcome for some, and help relieve a lot of guilt feelings for most! The French culture also teaches proper eating habits that have been demonstrated to produce healthy individuals who do not tend to overeat.

We offer the following seminars:

• From child bearing to the first year: tips from both the Californian and French cultures.
  
  Examples of the different approaches we'll discuss:
  Gaining weight: so important in the US child bearing context and so secondary in the French one
  Breastfeeding: one year is recommended in the US, two months in France; on demand is the US mode of feeding, structured is the French one
  Crying baby: Is the breast the only solution? etc...
  Learn there are few diktats to follow, only common sense rules to make YOU a happier parent.
• Learning to feed your young child with the French culture in mind
  
  The French culture is renowned for its high end cuisine, but it really also offers a healthy way of eating everyday for adults and children. Learn the good habits the French seem to have that shield them from the dangers of obesity and excess cholesterol (and it's not drinking wine!;-)) and tips on how to make simple, healthy lunchboxes for your children.