Hanging in there still with Pamela Druckerman's Bringing Up Bebe, is the importance of 'adult time' for French parents.
Rituals of upbringing have a specific purpose - so parents can get back to being a loving couple again a toute a suite.
How appropriate for Valentine's Day.
Chocolate Hearts
Expat Deborah Ollivier puts it so well,
'Though they love their kids passionately like everyone else, the French generally don't subvert their identities to the lives of their children'.
'Though they love their kids passionately like everyone else, the French generally don't subvert their identities to the lives of their children'.
'Boundaries, in other words, are good, particularly in protecting the sanctity of parents' private life. (No, Marie-Louise, you may not sleep in mommy and daddy's bed. And yes, Jean-Pierre, you must sit at the table every night for family dinner and eat correctly'.) says Ollivier.
Chocolate Bisous
From Bringing Up Bebe,
"For me, the couple comes before the children," says Virginie, the stay-at-home mom who taught me to "pay attention" to what I eat".
"For me, the couple comes before the children," says Virginie, the stay-at-home mom who taught me to "pay attention" to what I eat".
If you live in Paris you could take a cooking class to prep for your Valentines' dinner at L'Atelier des chefs.
What about a stunning new hot pair of shoes to wow your honey?
A new red lipstick peut-etre?
What are you doing special for Valentines Day PBers?
Do tell all.
Love this post♥
ReplyDeleteAll we need is this simple truth of the importance of all of our relationships...wisdom that some, unfortunately, may never find. Love your paintings, as usual ~ vive la difference today, too!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog it is so special! What brand are those shoes? I am loving them! Thanks :-)
ReplyDeletethe shoes were in Saks Fifth Avenue's windows and I should have noted the name..
ReplyDeleteBrian Atwood I'm guessing and I bet they cost a mint.
I will try and make beet pasta:) Sunday we will have a little celebration at my daughter's home so I'll bring a cake w/ hearts:)
ReplyDeleteThat's it:)
Quiet.. quiet..
And you?:)
Sweet heart post Carol~
Love all the charming watercolors here, Carol. Fabulous! Happy almost-Valentine's day...
ReplyDeleteSunday we're planning a day trip to hike in the mountains & have a picnic.
ReplyDeleteLove the paintings so much I had my daily bit of Chocolat earlier than usual!
That opening painting got my attention!
ReplyDeleteI love all of the watercolors today.
I didn't know that the child rearing principles were also about the importance of the parents' privacy. Great idea!
"... and I bet they cost a mint."
ReplyDeleteCarol, you make me smile, merci! :-)
Valentine's Day reminds me that I wanted to name a daughter Valentina. I lost, but one three daughters. ;-)
Note to myself:
ReplyDeleteDon't comment when you are already half asleep!
I meant that "I lost, but won three daughters".
Love your nude watercolor!
ReplyDeleteYes Carol, the modest nude adds a bit of spice to all those beautiful paintings of chocolate goodies.
ReplyDeleteAnd oh my; so many rules to follow to be properly French.
I an currently directing a production of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY and although I have no Valentine in my life, I love my cast so much that I will be making them my homemade French truffles to enjoy. There will be plain chocolate, chocolate-raspberry and chocolate-hazelnut.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Stephan
I love your blog soooo much... I read it every day and last week I decided.... to book a trip to Paris in April. Thank you so much for your inspiration!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI adore to read, but first of all to look nice published cookbooks through, to search for the inspiration;)
ReplyDeletebeautiful entry, as ever!
I am greeting from Poland!
m
Ah the 'modest' nude is lifted from a famous photo by...his nude has a big S-shape on her back but his name is escaping me at ze moment..
ReplyDeleteStephan toss a truffle our way SVP...
Greetings to Poland Monisia. I love your blog!!
Saskia, April is the BEST time to visit Paris!
We are interested in purchasing
ReplyDelete:- 24 bottles of Dom Perignon Champagne
:- 18 bottles of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne
Do confirm how soon you can have them ready as we need them for an event on 19th Feb 2012 . I'll wait to read from you with the total cost for the bottles . Do you accept Master Card or Visa ? . Our Pickup men will come for the cases as soon as the Credit card goes through .
Regards,
Andrew
the pair of shoes on your blog today really are stunning as you note but can anyone really walk in them safely particularly on uneven city streets. However, I’m certain that whoever buys them isn’t planning any long hikes. They do highlight one of the things I really enjoy about going into San Francisco. The creativity and imagination of the world’s designers and window dressers is on display and always make me appreciate their talent.
ReplyDeleteFor Valentines Day we are heading to NY for Westminster Dog Show--our grandson (dog) is competing for best long-haired dachshund and more than that! We will be there from Sunday through Tuesday. I've saved your blogs for places to visit and can't wait. We also love Paris like you do--I worked there years ago--maybe why I enjoy your blog so much. And yes, I am a painter-I worked there years ago--maybe why I enjoy your blog so much.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I am a painter
Yes, parents should have couple time. However, I have witness whether it's the husband or wife treat children verbally abusive and the other spouse who is not just ignore it and continue their relationship w. their spouse as nothing has happened. I think people should stick up for their children.
ReplyDeleteI see American children who know how to do their chores and French teens who expect their laundry done by their mothers or who ever.
We have to drive our kids to activities as the French can walk most places. I've been to enough time in France to know that they have their challenges as well.
Also demographics are huge difference here and there. As a country in the Americas we have higher amount of poverty (shame on us.) Thus, it could also be a socio-economic factors that play here.
It is a vast subject but when it get's reduced to one liners w. cute illustrations it looses something in translation and appears more like comparing apples to oranges.
All said I think I would be happier living in France than here!
And, we enjoy your blog.