January 4, 2012 • Category: Blog, Excerpts
29 COMMENTS
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We’re thrilled to give you an early look at Mei-Ling Hopgood’s upcoming book, How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm and Other Adventures in Parenting Around the World, publishing next week. This grand tour of global parenting techniques proves once and for all that there’s more than one way to diaper a baby.
See below for the cute book trailer and to read an excerpt. Also: We’ve got 3 copies up for grabs! Want to win one? View the (brief) trailer and let us know which example you like best–you can leave your comment here or on our Facebook page.
Mei-Ling Hopgood, a first-time mom from suburban Michigan—now living in Buenos Aires—was shocked that Argentine parents allow their children to stay up until all hours of the night. Could there really be social and developmental advantages to this custom? Driven by a journalist’s curiosity and a new mother’s desperation for answers, Hopgood embarked on a journey to learn how other cultures approach the challenges all parents face: bedtimes, potty training, feeding, teaching, and more.
Observing parents around the globe and interviewing anthropologists, educators, and child-care experts, she discovered a world of new ideas. The Chinese excel at potty training, teaching their wee ones as young as six months old. Kenyans wear their babies in colorful cloth slings—not only is it part of their cultural heritage, but strollers seem outright silly on Nairobi’s chaotic sidewalks. And the French are experts at turning their babies into healthy, adventurous eaters. Hopgood tested her discoveries on her spirited toddler, Sofia, with some enlightening results.
This intimate and surprising look at the ways other cultures raise children offers parents the option of experimenting with tried and true methods from around the world and shows that there are myriad ways to be a good parent.
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Tags: How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm, Mei-Ling Hopgood, Sneak Peek
Jennifer Orozco says...
I love the idea of having kids do chores at an early age. Kinda wish I’d had my older ones do this…at 12 and 11, I can hardly get them to pick up their socks without a moan and groan.
January 4, 2012@ 12:53 PMPierre says...
Transporting the baby in a sling (Kenya) keeps the baby close to the body and creates a strong feeling of security.
January 4, 2012@ 12:43 PMLeah Rhyne says...
Ohmigosh, I have a three year old who’s PICKY about her food, so my favorite story here is about the French and their mini-foodies. I’d love to read it.
January 4, 2012@ 12:26 PMJJT says...
Thank you for this giveaway. Sounds like a very educational and fun book.
January 4, 2012@ 12:01 PMAnnie says...
I just grinned to see the little bare bottomed babies in potty training phase in China.
January 4, 2012@ 11:52 AMjasbro says...
I love the “French” approach to feeding! Not only can it help develop good nutritional habits, but there’s no better training for kids to be receptive to new experiences.
January 4, 2012@ 11:52 AMJo says...
I am all for letting kids settle their own disputes. Unless there is violence, it teaches them conflict resolution and forces them to use their words
January 4, 2012@ 11:50 AMJennifer Gravley says...
I liked the example of the Japanese approach to playground squabbles.
January 4, 2012@ 11:41 AMCarl says...
Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
January 4, 2012@ 11:39 AMI’m a big fan of letting kids work out their playground disputes on their own like in Japan. It’s good practice for something you’ll be doing your whole life.
debbie says...
Love this – My daughter is expecting and this would be perfect!
January 4, 2012@ 11:39 AM