Additional Coverage:
- I’m a French mom raising my daughter in Florida. I wasn’t prepared for how differently people parent here. (businessinsider.com)
A Decade of Parenting: A French Mother’s Perspective on Raising a Child in the U.S.
Virginie Romary moved from Paris to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ten years ago and has been raising her daughter within the American cultural landscape ever since. While she has adapted in many ways, certain French parenting principles remain central to her approach.
Teaching Table Manners Early
In France, mealtime etiquette is a key part of upbringing. Virginie taught her daughter, now eight, to observe table manners from age three-sitting properly, using a fork and knife correctly, and showing respect through dining behavior.
This contrasts with the more relaxed American style, where children often eat with their hands or have less formal habits. Virginie believes that good manners open doors and cultivate respect.
Screen Time and Chores: Clear Limits and Responsibilities
Although her daughter enjoys free time after school, Virginie enforces a strict daily screen time limit of 45 minutes and does not provide devices like phones or tablets. Unlike many American parents who reward chores or good grades with extra screen time or allowances, Virginie emphasizes intrinsic responsibility. Her daughter helps around the house without expectation of financial reward, understanding that contributing to family life is simply expected.
Balancing Praise and Encouraging Independence
Virginie admires the enthusiasm American parents show in boosting their children’s confidence, often with generous praise. However, she prefers a more measured approach-avoiding overpraising routine efforts and instead encouraging persistence and self-improvement. She believes fostering independence from a young age builds resilience and confidence, allowing her daughter to manage tasks such as homework on her own.
A Different Approach in a New Culture
Living in the U.S. has exposed Virginie to “helicopter parenting,” with close supervision often extending to academic work. While appreciating parents’ desire to support their children, she opts for a balance that allows her family quality time and encourages her daughter’s autonomy. Though raising a child across cultures poses challenges, Virginie and her family have found a blend of French and American values that suits them, with her daughter increasingly identifying with American culture.
Parenting styles vary widely, and Virginie’s experience highlights how cultural roots shape approaches to raising children-even when adapting to a new country.