It is a traveling companion for generations of parents. A true compass in the tumultuous ocean of parenthood. I am expecting a child et I raise my child by Laurence Pernoud, published by Albin Michel, are much more than just books. These are literary monuments that have accompanied parents for more than 60 years. Republished and updated each year, these works have become true references, providing valuable advice from experts across generations. The works of “Pernoud” are passed down like precious treasures, a tip whispered with kindness to guide each new parent in the adventure of motherhood and fatherhood.
Today, these classics are getting a new look thanks to Clémence Pernoud, 38 years old, the author’s granddaughter. After a career in creating costumes for opera and cinema, Clémence – who has resided in Nice since 2021 – decided to devote herself to a completely different project: the complete overhaul of her grandmother’s works, adapting them to contemporary realities. From the terrace of a café in Nice, she talks to us about this heritage and her projects.
How would you describe your relationship with your grandmother, Laurence Pernoud?
During my childhood, I spent a lot of time with her and I adored her. Gentle and caring, she was also a determined matriarch. His books, a true family pride, were at the heart of our discussions. She spoke to me about her work with passion, and from a very young age, I understood the importance of her work, which deeply marked my life and influenced my childhood.
How do you explain the success of his books?
My grandmother was a true visionary. She was able to combine scientific rigor, by surrounding herself with a committee of experts, and a deeply human and caring approach, by offering reassuring and accessible advice. She was not a doctor, but a mother who addressed sometimes taboo issues in a simple and direct way, which, at the time, was revolutionary. This authenticity, coupled with an immense proximity to its readers, played a key role. She spent hours reading and responding to the numerous letters she received, showing genuine interest in the needs and concerns of parents. This constant dialogue has not only strengthened the bond with his readers, but also allowed his works to evolve and stay in line with the expectations of families over the years.
How did the idea of resuming his works come to you?
It’s an idea that has been brewing since I was a teenager. At that time, my father advised me to live my life and let things happen. It was wise advice. Indeed, my grandmother’s heritage really became evident when I became a mother. The arrival of my daughter, Cléo, now two years old, clarified everything. I first participated in discussions about the book with the editor, Albin Michel, before getting fully involved.
What changes have you made to the works?
For a year and a half, I worked on three axes: content, tone and form. I have updated the content with the help of practicing experts to reflect the realities of today’s parents. The tone was made more inclusive, also addressing the co-parent, whether the father or another parental figure. We have also modernized the visuals that accompany the texts. The new 2025 edition is distinguished by a more modern representation of parenthood, with a cover featuring a man alongside a woman.
What subjects are particularly highlighted in this new version?
-We address essential themes such as the birth plan or the postpartum period. This completely redesigned edition includes a special notebook for month-by-month pregnancy monitoring and a guide to administrative, legal and practical procedures. We also delved into very important topics such as breastfeeding and psychological support for parents. I also wanted a more frank text, where reality is not embellished. Because being a mom or dad also involves a lot of uncertainty.
Have the books helped you personally in your parenting?
Absolutely. When I became a mother myself, these books were a huge support, especially since I no longer had my parents with me and I had lost a child before having Cléo. They allowed me to feel guided and reassured in sometimes difficult times.
What timeless elements of your grandmother’s work have you preserved?
Universality and neutrality are at the heart of what I wanted to preserve. These works have always been designed as tools accessible to everyone, regardless of parents’ beliefs, cultures or situations. The idea is to allow each family to feel supported and free to make their own choices, with complete peace of mind. It is this philosophy, which has passed down through the generations, that I strive to perpetuate in the new version of the books.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to meet parents, particularly through workshops, parent cafés or conferences to better understand their needs. The idea would be to enrich this heritage with modern tools such as podcasts or a greater presence on social networks to reach even more families.
Laurence Pernoud, born in 1918 in Lausanne, has become an emblematic figure of motherhood and child education thanks to her best-selling books. I am expecting a child et I am raising my child. Initially a journalist and without medical training, she designed works combining empathy, medical, psychological and practical information, thus meeting the needs of mothers. His first book, I am expecting a childpublished in 1956, met with immediate success by providing clear and accessible answers to pregnant women in a context where pregnancy was surrounded by taboos. “When she was pregnant with my father, Jérôme, she was looking for a book that could answer the many questions she had about her pregnancy. To her great surprise, no book of this type existed! This realization l pushed to fill this void by writing this book herself “, relates Clémence Pernoud. With I raise my childpublished in 1965, Laurence Pernoud, then mother of two boys, Jérôme and Emmanuel, guided parents through the complex stages of children’s education, valuing empathy and rigor through close collaboration with specialists. Supported by eminent medical figures, she received a prize from the Academy of Medicine.
Laurence Pernoud, a pioneer in the emancipation of mothers, died in 2009, leaving behind a precious legacy. Her works, published in more than 70 countries and translated into 40 languages, continue to accompany generations of parents in search of caring and enlightened information, testifying to her lasting impact on motherhood and child education.
Related News :