When I was pregnant in France, I scoured the Internet to read everything I could about parenting in France. I really wanted a book to tell me what I could expect or the differences between France and the USA - but I could not find anything. My older sister and mother both heard about this book, Bringing Up Bebe, from the news recently and rushed to tell me about it. I purchased … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2012
Calling Poision Hotline After Baking a Chocolate Cake
While my husband was taking Juliana to her kiné appointment, I had a craving for chocolate. The only chocolate I had in the house was cocoa powder and I did not feel like having hot chocolate. I wanted a cookie or cake. I usually sift equal parts of flour and sugar together and mix with water until it forms dough. This cookie is definitely not gourmet, but it is quick and … [Read more...]
Finding a Used Automatic Car in France is an Adventure
It is time for us to let go of our little Renault Clio. I can drive manual now, but I do not feel comfortable with it. One rainy night with sporadic hail, I was on the way home from grocery shopping and the car stalled when making a left turn. I was stretched across two lanes. A car began approaching me from each direction and luckily both saw me in time to swerve. I realized … [Read more...]
Subsidized Daycare and In-Home Childcare – I love France!
My husband has been very busy the past few weeks and not able to help me around the house. Taking care of Juliana full-time, cleaning and cooking has forced me to put my book on hold. This past week I was only able to write two sentences and do some fact checking. We were intrigued when someone close to us said she the cost of her in-home babysitter is covered by social … [Read more...]
Finding a Child Kinétherapist in France is Worth the Effort
Juliana has difficulty looking and holding her head to the far left, as well as tilts her head to the right when looking straightforward. A few days before we moved to the south, an orthopedic doctor in Caen told us that Juliana needs kiné three times a week for a month. The first thing we did when we moved to Banon was found a kiné and started the sessions. We only have two … [Read more...]