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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I can work in France as a single mother?

39 replies

OuiNonOui · 09/09/2017 11:59

I'm half way through my degree and will be applying to work abroad in France next year.

Thing is, is that I have a nearly 2 year old DD and I'm a single mum.

I don't have an income besides student finance, but I've always wanted to work in France. I love the culture and the language. I think it would be the perfect opportunity for me to finally become fluent after many years of studying the language.

Am I being too unrealistic?

I think money would be my biggest issue here as I not sure I would make enough from my job to pay for childcare. But I'm dying to live and work in France.

OP posts:
spinassienne · 09/09/2017 12:02

Perfectly doable, though more complicated if the dad is on the scene. If you're thinking of coming to Paris, join the english-speaking mums in paris group on FB.

Whiterabbitears · 09/09/2017 12:02

If you don't make enough money for childcare how would you do it? Your DD would become bilingual as she's so young so that wouldn't be an issue.

spinassienne · 09/09/2017 12:04

And if your ddis two now, she'll be gong to school next year in France so childcare costs won't be such an issue.

notgivingin789 · 09/09/2017 12:05

I think you should definitely do it !

spinassienne · 09/09/2017 12:06

Sorry, saw she's not quite two. Childcare is much more affordable here if you can get a place in a state run creche, fees are on a sliding scale from nothing up to about 550 euros a month top whack.

LairyMcClary · 09/09/2017 12:06

I think money would be my biggest issue here as I not sure I would make enough from my job to pay for childcare. But I'm dying to live and work in France

Well if you can't make enough to pay for childcare as well as rent, bills and food, then you can't do it, can you?
Not forgetting that who knows what will change with Brexit.

spinassienne · 09/09/2017 12:07

In fact just pm me op, I can probably give you some good leads :-)

Remy66 · 09/09/2017 12:10

I'm all for following your dreams but if you can't even pay one bill (childcare) how on earth will this work?

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 09/09/2017 12:11

I have just moved to France. School is free from 2 year old, lunch is about 2 euros ish and before and after school club (garderie) come to about 1 euro ish per day. I think it is from 7:30 am to 6 pm.
It is much much cheaper than the UK, you will also probably receive benefits for single mums.

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 09/09/2017 12:14

Lunch and garderie are not mandatory of course.

Ktown · 09/09/2017 12:16

My friends and colleagues in France all have the cheapest childcare
I would say it is more doable there than here and the nurseries are good
You would need to be within easy commute of the nursery though as public transport always has strikes or delays (I go to Paris a lot and that is my experience there)
Go for it

vlooby · 09/09/2017 12:16

This was 10 years ago but my husband got financial support from the government for his rent working for the British council on his year abroad. Also check with your uni if they have any funds you could access? It's a hugely important part of your degree.

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 09/09/2017 12:17

Breakfast club is 50p and after school club is 80p, I was slighlty gobsmacked when the teacher gave me the prices.

ChilliMum · 09/09/2017 12:20

We are in France. Childcare is much more affordable than in the UK as a pp said its on a sliding scale dependant on your income. I can't speak for the whole of France but we have found the quality excellent.

Cost of living is higher though so defiantly factor that in when you look at jobs.

Your dd will start school full time in the September of the calender year she turns 3 (ds is an October baby so started at 2!) so will save you a lot in childcare as you will just need to pay for wrap around, lunchtime and Wednesdays.

Original poster
OuiNonOui · 09/09/2017 12:24

They start school at 2 and childcare is cheap? Excellent!

I will be trying my hardest this year to save every penny in preparation for moving costs etc.

I will check what I'm entitled at university in regards to funds also.

I thought that it would be difficult in my circumstances as a single parent. Wasn't expecting positive replies but just wanted to check if it was doable.

OP posts:
spinassienne · 09/09/2017 12:34

The school year is jan tonjan and as a pp said they start the year they turn 3. Our neighbour.s son, born 31 dec 2014, just started school! Plus you'd have to pay rent and childcare in the UK anyway presumably. The big drawback would be maintaining the relationship with her dad if he's around but even so I know people whôcommute Paris to London for EOW.

NoProblemForMe · 09/09/2017 12:39

What job skills do you have OP ? Will there be sufficient demand for what you plan to do, especially long-term?

Original poster
OuiNonOui · 09/09/2017 12:39

DD was born 30th of December so I wont need to worry about childcare when we arrive then

OP posts:
Original poster
OuiNonOui · 09/09/2017 12:41

NoProblem

Its a scheme at my university that allows students, from any degree to teach English in France.

OP posts:
LairyMcClary · 09/09/2017 12:41

It is much much cheaper than the UK, you will also probably receive benefits for single mums

That's unlikely, you generally can't claim any benefits unless you are habitually resident, which iirc means having lived in the country for 2 years.

NoProblemForMe · 09/09/2017 12:46

It's a scheme at my university that allows students, from any degree to teach English in France.

Oh that sounds brilliant!

Oui oui! Definitely go for it Grin

LairyMcClary · 09/09/2017 12:51

It's a scheme at my university that allows students, from any degree to teach English in France

I presume you will also have to do a TEFL of some kind, otherwise you won't be qualified to do so?

frenchfancy · 09/09/2017 12:53

My advice would be to keep out of the big cities and go to a smaller town. It will make your rent much cheaper, and school spaces more likely to be available (school isn't obligatory until 6 so there is no guarantee a 2 year old will get a place) . Don't forget school is only 4 days a week (it went up to 4.5 for many schools but lots are going back to 4). Consider the private schools as well - they are really church schools rather than private and are very cheap (20-25€ / month in some places). Schools will only take young children if they are fully out of nappies (during the day).

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 09/09/2017 12:54

Check with your local maternelle, we were having a tour with my son who is 4 and started 2nd year of maternelle (moyenne section) and the head teacher was eying my 19 months old in the pushchair. When I told her her age, the teacher said: "well she could start in January wih me"(they have a "toute petite" section for 2 years old included wih the petite section for 3 years old).
The creche might also be at a low cost but there is often a waiting list, I have an appointment next week with them so haven't found out yet.

BroomstickOfLove · 09/09/2017 12:54

Childcare is SO much more affordable in France that it's totally worth investigating. My French relatives all think I'm crazy when I tell them that childcare costs make it too expensive to work here.