Hey Everyone -
Sorry I'm so late with this week's letter. I've actuallly - finally - been getting some energy back, and the weather has been gorgeous here, so Matt and I actually LEFT THE HOUSE and did things both days this weekend. Yesterday we went on a hike in the Forest of Versailles, and today we went to see La Conquete, a French film about Nicholas Sarkozy's first campaign, and ate burritos on the Canal Saint Martin. Reasonably good burritos ,too! This was Matt's first film in French, and really only my third - I think I understood 50% of it. Afterwards, I asked Matt how it went and he said he only got about 20% of it - together, we were able to piece together basically what was happening (I, for example, know that the word "couilles" means "balls", so I understood all the times Sarkozy said "I've got him by the balls", which was helpful). Hey, we're trying.
Burritos are actually one of the only things I can eat lately - I don't know if its comfort food for my California roots, or its the combo of beans and rice that's both filling but sort of non-threatening, but they are working out for me. I can't really say the same for most other foods still, unfortunately. Sigh. When will this part of pregnancy be OVER, I ask you? At least I'm not gaining too much weight, one of my big pregnancy fears. Its still early, but my pants still fit.
Though there is a belly starting to pop out now. I realized this week I could no longer do "plow" position in yoga class and put my feet on the floor because my belly is no longer bendable. Its wacky. There's definitely something going on there - which is good, its kind of nice actually to start to look pregnant, and not only because I can now be assured of a seat on the metro.
I went to investigate childcare this week. You guys, the options here for early childcare are PLENTIFUL and CHEAP. It boggles my mind. As homesick as I feel for the US sometimes (and those burritos) I am considering staying here for the second kid just for this reason - It is actually possible in France to be middle class and have reasonable childcare options that don't require a grandparent to move in or one parent to quit their job.
However, just like the maternites/birthing centers, you have to get in there early! This bureaucracy works, but you've gotta get in line and bring all the forms, no exceptions. The first thing for us to do is sign up for the creche on the first day of my sixth month of pregnancy. The creche is the full time state-run childcare system, open for kids from 2 months old to 3 years. There are a number of creches in each arrondissement, and you have to apply at your local mairie, or town hall, for admission. Not everyone gets a place right away - you choose three creches near you, and submit a whole bunch of forms and letters about why you need full-time childcare (and usually also pay-stubs and proof that both parents work full time) and then they let you know if there's a spot available. Once you're in, you can choose whether to have the kid there all day or half a day, but you always have the option of having them there from 8:30 to 4:30 or 5PM if you want. Couples pay extra for this childcare, but its something insanely reasonable like 8 or 10 euros a day.
If you're not admitted by a creche, there are also numerous Halte-Garderies, childcare centers that will take the child a certain number of mornings or afternoons a week, basically the equivalent of half-time child care. You apply to these directly. AND additionally, the mairie runs a nanny service for parents who can't or don't want to use either of these options. All of this childcare is subsidized by the state (you get a tax break) and by Matt's work - I don't know what it's ultimately gonna cost us, but I do know that we are living on far less money than we were making in New York, and I'm not scared about affording childcare here - which is absolutely crazy to me. But a good crazy.
The other amazing thing they have here is state run nursery school, or Ecole Maternelle, which starts at age 3 and runs through what would be kindergarten in the US. Here, you're guaranteed a place, and there are activities all day for kids, run by childhood education specialists, where kids get to do music and art, and learn to read and write and "play collaboratively". It sounds freaking awesome and also runs from 8:30 to 4:30PM - and I think is free. I want to go myself, actually.
But in the meantime, I've got six more months to grow this baby and probably six more after that before I'm gonna think about childcare. Its just good to know there are a lot of affordable options.
That's all for the moment - My mom arrives in Paris this week for a three week stay, and we will be doing a lot of planning for the baby (and I feel like she is going to be buying a lot of French baby clothes as well ... I think really she is most excited about the clothes she will be able to buy for this baby) -
Also I want to congratulate my friends Emily and Victor on the birth of their son this week, Geronimo LaVallle! Hooray for 2011 babies!
Lots of love to all,
Claire
No comments:
Post a Comment