Comments on: Maternity Leave in France

By: sloaneandpuffy

sloaneandpuffy — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 04:56:38 +0000

Very interesting! And you don’t look like what I imagined at all hahaha :)

From when I spent a year in France I learned the French definitely have a different parenting style and I’d love I hear more about it from you. Americans seem a little more like, “well lets see who this child grows up to be!” while the French seem more active in trying to form the child’s ways. Do you agree? Kind of like pruning a tree vs. letting it grown wild ;)

By: Mrs Green Grass

Mrs Green Grass — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 16:45:55 +0000

So great to hear about France and see pictures of you and the babe!! :) Good luck with your move.

By: Mrsbells

Mrsbells — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:36:59 +0000

Thanks for this post. I always envy women that have babies in europe or canada!

By: Schmei

Schmei — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:31:01 +0000

Thanks for this article. That last picture made me all melty. Alice is beautiful and looks like a very content little lady.

I find it weird and surprising that US public places like restaurants are so kid-friendly (high chairs, changing tables) compared to France (or at least Paris) but our social policies are the opposite.

Once you’re back in the US for a bit it would be interesting to see what your thoughts are on parenting here, too.

By: Jennimac

Jennimac — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:21:14 +0000

Great post!!! Alice is beautiful!!!!

By: Chastenet

Chastenet — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:11:17 +0000

@Alivoo01: It’s a great name :) It’s a bit more popular in France than in the US, but it is on the rise apparently. Hopefully it won’t get too popular!
@mediagirl: Yes, I am! Motherhood is a very challenging, but extremely fulfilling experience!
@tvnov79: I completely agree. I wish the US would get with the program and make paid maternity/paternity leave a right for all workers. More subsidized childcare would also be fantastic while they’re at it. It is so much easier to start a family when you aren’t stressing over putting your 6 week old in day care after you just lost 1.5 months salary on maternity leave! Happy parents = happy, more productive workers!
@mrs. wagon: Thank you! And yes, the only time I did pump in preparation of getting a bit tipsy (for my 30th birthday) afterwards, even though I had non-alcoholic milk for dd, I still felt guilty about being a bit drunk because I still had to take care of her!
@Mrs. Pen: Thank you!
@Bao: Thanks :)

By: Bao

Bao — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:46:13 +0000

What a great experience for your little family, thank you for sharing! Your LO is adorable :)

By: Mrs. Pen

Mrs. Pen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:21:18 +0000

This is so intriguing! I love reading about these types of things. Your journey sounds so interesting and fun.

By: mrs. wagon

mrs. wagon — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:14:21 +0000

This is so interesting to read! I actually kept the window open and read this very carefully once I had time. I so rarely do that for blog posts… usually I skim and enjoy the pictures unless it’s a birth story or something like this. I love reading about people in other parts of the world and how they do the things I do every day over here in the US.

Also, about the “getting smashed” comment… Whenever I get that, my response is ALWAYS “you try getting smashed at night then waking up at 6am to take care of a kid!!!” Hangovers are just not an option anymore, so getting smashed is no longer a part of my reality. Whenever I do indulge in a drink or two, the second I start to feel a buzz, I can’t even enjoy myself because I’m afraid of how I will feel the next morning when I have to get up and tend to the kids!

By: tvnov79

tvnov79 — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:10:17 +0000

I wish the US maternity / FMLA laws were more family-oriented like Europe. I work for an English company and my colleague and I are due within a week of each other.

She has already taken off, but I’m working up until the baby comes. Everytime I am on a teleconference with her team, everyone is shocked that I’m still in the office and haven’t taken off. They told me that she won’t be back in the office until September 2013; whereas, I’m coming back in March. :/