Living in France with just my hubby and kids has been quite challenging because there are no relatives to help when I am choked up with chores and academic work. But thanks to the French system that has made provision for child-care centres.
My greatest supports are my children's school and care minder respectively. My daughter who is 4 stays in school till 4.45pm daily except on Wednesdays and my son (2yrs old) who found it difficult adjusting initially stays with his care minder till 5pm daily except on Wednesdays which he stays home with me all day. I try to do all I have to do during school hours and make sure I spend the remaining part of the evenings with my husband and kids. Just of recent I was able to talk my husband into participating in school runs which he gladly does now, so it is much better for me than it used to be last year. Calls I receive from my mum in Nigeria almost on a daily basis keep me going, indeed she is my emotional support after my husband. Financially, my husband has been very supportive--Kudos to him.
It was pretty difficult initially when my daughter stayed at school till 11.30am and my son was home with me everyday. School runs was not palatable as I had to drop her by 9am and then pick her in the next 2hrs. Without the support of my hubby and children's school, maybe I wouldn't have been able to meet up with my academics and other social engagements. Thanks to them all.
Great post and I truly understand and value the things that our family do for us. I can truly say that our mothers are there when no one is there to help us in a difficult time. I am indeed thankful for a supportive family.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an exciting life! What made you move to France? We lived in Italy for two years! I loved Europe. I homeschooled my kiddos while in Italy! Nice post!
ReplyDeleteI am in France with my husband on cross-posting. What was it like home schooling your kids? Was it the language that made you choose this option?
DeleteIt was hard to home school them at first but after awhile it was pretty routine! The international and American schools were so far away they would spend almost four hours with traveling each day.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I admire your strength, your husband must be an awesome supporter and you as well, nothing like being worlds away from family. It's good that you have the community support that you have through the school.
ReplyDeleteJan
You and I have a similar circle of support. I depend on my husband for assisting with every part of our lives. As a person that works full time and still have to get the kids from school by 3:00 Mon-Fri at times I need my husband to assist with this. He drops off and I pick up daily, but at times we have to change it up. We are a great team. France seems to put a lot of time into their educational program. Not picking up until 4:45 is late compared to the U.S. It is fabulous that you have your community assisting you. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteCrissy