This is a great topic, and the numbers are telling. It does seem that France has a system that makes it fairly easy for mothers to go back to work, but they end up paying for it somehow in career advancement and pay. And I can see how working from home is in some ways a more relaxed situation, but one that comes with its own set of challenges.
I went back to work when our daughters were about three months old, but in both cases was very lucky to find home-based day care (nounous) who allowed for flexible hours. I was teaching but on various contracts, so no two weeks were the same. Sometimes I left them for 20 hours during the week and other times for 45, and we paid by the hour. I think this sort of set-up is virtually unheard of now, which makes sense for the nounous because they need to be able to count on a regular wage. But for some reason it worked out for me twice and I was very happy to be able to keep my babes at home when I wasn't working!
Our daughter just had a baby in the Paris area and they were lucky enough to get a cherished place in a creche within walking distance of their apartment! She also works irregular hours, but they were obligated to sign on for 9am until 6:30 pm every day, and few exceptions are made. So she ends up at home all day some days with their baby a few hundred meters away because that is the nature of the system. It's a bit of a pity, but then again she understands the need for the creche to run a tight ship.
Thank you for sharing, Betty. It sounds like you had a wonderful setup that helped you make the most of those early months.
From what I’ve observed in Paris, the most sought-after nounous tend to request full-time contracts with pay well above minimum wage — it can even feel competitive to secure the best nannies here. (I imagine it’s not so different in big international cities, from London to New York.)
And yes, the crèche is often impressively executed, even if the system around it can feel a bit rigid at times.
Thank you for sharing. I'm an American mom of 3 who constantly fantasizes about moving to France because of *my perceived differences* in family culture/motherhood support so it is equally interesting and a grounding reality check lol to hear your experience/perspective. The juggle of family life with career and modern existence in general is so... dynamic. Congrats on paving a new way for yourself and your family. They're lucky to have you. Xx
Thank you so much, Bryanna — and for the kind words too. The fantasy of “France as the antidote” is something I understand well, even if the reality is always more textured than the dream. Purpose shifts when life gets loud and beautifully demanding, and motherhood has a way of rewriting the score entirely.
A beautiful, honest take on parental leave. Your experience is so needed. Thanks for sharing 🩵
Thank you so much for reading, Liv ❤️
This is a great topic, and the numbers are telling. It does seem that France has a system that makes it fairly easy for mothers to go back to work, but they end up paying for it somehow in career advancement and pay. And I can see how working from home is in some ways a more relaxed situation, but one that comes with its own set of challenges.
I went back to work when our daughters were about three months old, but in both cases was very lucky to find home-based day care (nounous) who allowed for flexible hours. I was teaching but on various contracts, so no two weeks were the same. Sometimes I left them for 20 hours during the week and other times for 45, and we paid by the hour. I think this sort of set-up is virtually unheard of now, which makes sense for the nounous because they need to be able to count on a regular wage. But for some reason it worked out for me twice and I was very happy to be able to keep my babes at home when I wasn't working!
Our daughter just had a baby in the Paris area and they were lucky enough to get a cherished place in a creche within walking distance of their apartment! She also works irregular hours, but they were obligated to sign on for 9am until 6:30 pm every day, and few exceptions are made. So she ends up at home all day some days with their baby a few hundred meters away because that is the nature of the system. It's a bit of a pity, but then again she understands the need for the creche to run a tight ship.
Thank you for sharing, Betty. It sounds like you had a wonderful setup that helped you make the most of those early months.
From what I’ve observed in Paris, the most sought-after nounous tend to request full-time contracts with pay well above minimum wage — it can even feel competitive to secure the best nannies here. (I imagine it’s not so different in big international cities, from London to New York.)
And yes, the crèche is often impressively executed, even if the system around it can feel a bit rigid at times.
Merci for reading!
What a sensitive wonderful article Pamela. Thank you.
Judy
Thank you so much for featuring it, Judy!
Thank you for sharing. I'm an American mom of 3 who constantly fantasizes about moving to France because of *my perceived differences* in family culture/motherhood support so it is equally interesting and a grounding reality check lol to hear your experience/perspective. The juggle of family life with career and modern existence in general is so... dynamic. Congrats on paving a new way for yourself and your family. They're lucky to have you. Xx
Thank you so much, Bryanna — and for the kind words too. The fantasy of “France as the antidote” is something I understand well, even if the reality is always more textured than the dream. Purpose shifts when life gets loud and beautifully demanding, and motherhood has a way of rewriting the score entirely.