Vive la France
Next time you consider having a baby, you might want to do so in France.
The London Telegraph reported on a new book that attacks the way the French revere motherhood. What struck me more than the satirical nature of the book, titled "No Kid: 40 Reasons Not to Have Children," was the generous benefits the French government gives to women who reproduce.
"This is the only country in the world, as far as I'm aware, where a state-paid helper arrives a week after you give birth to make you carrot soup and help arrange your layette. It is the only country I know of that pays for a physical therapist to work with you to get your stomach muscles (and your reproductive muscles, but that's another matter) strong again, so that you look good in a bikini a few months after giving birth (and reproduce swiftly again)," the article states.
"It is also the only country that gives you a 50 per cent tax break on your nanny and awards huge discounts on rail travel if you have a child. Of course the French state is bankrupt on the back of this, but never mind."
That's right. Never mind.
We can always keep our citizenship, and return stateside when the kids are ready for kindergarten. In the meantime, I could really get used to croissants in the morning, a little carrot soup for lunch and some extra help around the chateau.
Here's the link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2007/07/26/nosplit/ftmother126.xml
The London Telegraph reported on a new book that attacks the way the French revere motherhood. What struck me more than the satirical nature of the book, titled "No Kid: 40 Reasons Not to Have Children," was the generous benefits the French government gives to women who reproduce.
"This is the only country in the world, as far as I'm aware, where a state-paid helper arrives a week after you give birth to make you carrot soup and help arrange your layette. It is the only country I know of that pays for a physical therapist to work with you to get your stomach muscles (and your reproductive muscles, but that's another matter) strong again, so that you look good in a bikini a few months after giving birth (and reproduce swiftly again)," the article states.
"It is also the only country that gives you a 50 per cent tax break on your nanny and awards huge discounts on rail travel if you have a child. Of course the French state is bankrupt on the back of this, but never mind."
That's right. Never mind.
We can always keep our citizenship, and return stateside when the kids are ready for kindergarten. In the meantime, I could really get used to croissants in the morning, a little carrot soup for lunch and some extra help around the chateau.
Here's the link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2007/07/26/nosplit/ftmother126.xml
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