Single mum moving to france

[linzmb20]

Hi
Im new to this page but have been reading through a few threads and have found them very informative (and comforting).
I am a 31 year old single mum and am moving to Brittany France next year to help run the family Gite business (once house here in the IOM has sold) and am quite nervous.
I have contacted a few schools in the area for my 10 year old and he is really upbeat about the move but I am quite worried that I will be a social outcast (sad) I am not the type of person who goes out every weekend and have put off a social/love life to give my son my whole attention and also as the move has been on the cards for some time and I didnt want any emotional attachements.
My concern is that now my son is getting older, and reading about how some people have found making friends in france hard, that I am going to be especially lonely after the move (and in a slightly selfish way I'm worried I may end up a single woman forever!)
Are there any other single mums out there who have found a social life in France?

[bunnyfrance]

Hi there,
Can't speak as a single mum, but didn't want your post to go unanswered. How good's your French? If not very, that'll probably be your main barrier to making French friends. If your French is ok, you'll probably find people welcoming, especially if you're out in the country, although you'll have to make more of an effort than you would at home.

Apparently, French men find anglophone accents alluring

[jenpet]

Where in Brittany are you moving to?
I live near Vannes, with DH & DS1(9) and DS2 (2) and have run a gite for 5 years.

There are many areas of Brittany that have large-ish English speaking populations. IME outside of the main cities there is not much in the way of a social life, in the same way you would be used to in the UK (you will find village fetes and religious celebrations in the summer of course, but not much else until you get to know French neighbours well enough)Ironically, you may find ways to meet people through your son - after school activities etc
Also, have a look at Brittany based forums such as Anglo Info etc.
Good luck, be positive and optimistic and cat me if you want any more info...

[Greythorne]

In France, there's a fantastic support network for english speaking mums; it's called MESSAGE Mother's Support. It sounds quasi religious, don't worry, it's not!
Google it, you'll find their website which explains how to join (it costs about 40 quid per year and is worth every penny) and then you'll have access to lots of English-speaking parents who are living in france, have negotiated their way through the education system, health services, financial issues (tax etc)

It can also be a way of meeting Anglo mums in your area

Beyond that, get your french as good as you possibly can, listen to French radio, watch French movies, get your ear tuned to French ASAP
Doin't worry about YOU making mistakes, you will be able to make yourself understood, but if you can't undertsand others, it can feel very isolating

be open minded; so many things about life inj France are so very different, but that doesn't mean worse
in fact, for may things, it means they are better, but sometimes you can lose sight of that

good luck

i am based in paris, so not knowledgeable about brittany, but it is a beautiful area

the people in brittany have a cliched reputation for being a bit cold, but that might be more vis a vis tourists

[dilbertina]

I am just outside Paris so my experience may not be typical of other areas, but I have found people to be on the whole pretty friendly, and forgiving of my abysmal French.

Various Neighbours have invited us round for drinks, gouter etc. Next door came round for Sunday Roast just last weekend. I made a couple of local French friends whilst ds was at the local maternelle and we sometimes visit each other for coffee.

My older dc are at the British school so it has been very easy to make English speaking friends there too.

I'm sure you'll be fine - it may take a while to find your feet and at times it may feel it will never happen, but it will!

As well as Message it might be worth checking if there is a local AVF group which helps newcomers integrate and check out what activities the Mairie organise. Locally here there is a selection of sports (incl. organised walks etc), cultural stuff, environmental things etc which I'm sure would be a good way to meet people.

Good luck!

[linzmb20]

Thank you so much for all your advice - I feel a lot better about it all now x
I will google that site Message Mothers support and look at joining x
I am practising my French every night with my son so hopefully will be at a decent level by the time we get there.
Will let you all know how we get on

[mamalovesmojitos]

hi linzmb20. just wanted to say best of luck. I too am a single mum, and looking at moving abroad. I noticed your post because though i've seen hundreds of posts, blogs, articles etc from people moving abroad, i have seen none about single mums moving.

i get so nervous and wonder if i could really do it on my own. my only options are english speaking countries or perhaps a french speaking country. i've been to france many times and love it there. i have some french. obviously if i ever planned to move i'd have to really practice it more.

please keep us up to date with the big move, if you don't mind. i'll be watching with interest as am at a crossroads in my life right now.