A just-published Wall Street Journal article describes French toddlers as sitting contentedly in their high chairs, waiting for their food, or eating fish and even vegetables when out at restaurants to eat. There is no shrieking or whining. And there is no debris around their tables.

What gives?

In an article adapted from Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting, to be published Tuesday by the Penguin Press, author and former Wall Street Journal reporter Pamela Druckerman explains why the French are able to raise happy, well-behaved children without all the anxiety experienced by American parents.

She said that French parents are involved with their kids without being obsessive, noting that "while some American toddlers are getting Mandarin tutors and preliteracy training, French kids are—by design—toddling around by themselves."

In her memoir, Druckerman also said that French parents do not negotiate, tolerate tantrums, provide excessive snacks, or waste weekends shepherding little ones from soccer practice to birthday parties to kiddie discos.

Only a year ago the same newspaper printed an excerpt from another book—Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother—that explained why Chinese parents are superior.

So what do American parents think?

"I do think we are a bit obsessive about our kids and a bit over-competitive when it comes to schools and after-school activities and that sort of thing, especially up here in the Northeast," said Montclair mother of two, Christie Karson.

She also noted that many American parents let their kids make decisions for the household—when it should be the parents doing this.

If you want to emulate the French, the new book out on Tuesday provides the following ideas to help you:

French Lessons

• Children should say hello, goodbye, thank you and please. It helps them to learn that they aren't the only ones with feelings and needs.
• When they misbehave, give them the "big eyes"—a stern look of admonishment.
• Allow only one snack a day. In France, it's at 4 or 4:30.
• Remind them (and yourself) who's the boss. French parents say, "It's me who decides."
• Don't be afraid to say "no." Kids have to learn how to cope with some frustration.

So what do you think? Do the French do it better? Tell us in the comments section below.