Visiting New Parents in France
Congratulate friends on their baby, ask how they're coping and offer help with the expressions French friends really use.
In France new mothers usually stay a few days at la maternité, and friends tend to visit once the family is back home, often bringing food or a small cadeau de naissance. Fathers get a paternity leave of about a month, and mothers 16 weeks of maternity leave for a first child. Keep visits short, wash your hands before touching the baby, and offer concrete help rather than advice.
- 1
Félicitations pour le bébé !
Congratulations on the baby!
- 2
Comment tu tiens le coup ?
How are you holding up?
- 3
On est complètement crevés.
We're completely shattered.
- 4
J'ai pas fermé l'œil.
I didn't sleep a wink.
- 5
On dort par petits bouts.
We sleep in bits and pieces.
- 6
Ça chamboule toute ta vie.
It turns your whole life upside down.
- 7
Mais ça vaut le coup.
But it's worth it.
- 8
Si t'as besoin de quoi que ce soit, tu me dis.
If you need anything at all, just tell me.
- 9
Te gêne surtout pas.
Don't hold back.
- 10
Je vous ai apporté à manger, comme ça vous avez pas à cuisiner.
I brought you some food so you don't have to cook.
- 11
Il dure combien de temps, ton congé paternité ?
How long is your paternity leave?
- 12
Un mois, à peu près.
About a month.
- 13
Faut y aller au jour le jour.
You have to take it one day at a time.
- 14
Profite, ça grandit tellement vite.
Make the most of it, they grow up so fast.
- 15
Je vais vous laisser, vous devez être fatigués.
I'll leave you to it, you must be tired.
- 16
Dors quand le bébé dort.
Sleep when the baby sleeps.
- 17
Tu t'en sors super bien.
You're doing really well.
- 18
Tout le monde te donne des conseils.
Everyone gives you advice.
- 19
Fais à ta sauce.
Do it your own way.
- 20
Ça s'est bien passé, la maternité ?
How did it go at the maternity ward?