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A Kid’s Life: India

Hello all. I’m still here (after over a month’s absence on Jillian In Italy). We’ve had a difficult month but things are slowly starting to get back to normal. Thankfully. All I can say at the moment is that I’m so grateful for my family and our good health. So so grateful.

Today I wanted to share a new interview in my A Kid’s Life series. Learning about regular family life and traditions from around the world is one of my favourite things and since I started this series a few years ago I’ve learned so much about different cultures around the world. And as much as I love to hear about how different a culture is from the other side of the world I also find it so fascinating that there are so many similarities between all of our daily grinds.

Today we’re going to hear from Kanchan and her family who live in Dehli in Northern India. I actually “met” Kanchan on Instagram (follow her here) and I was immediately in awe of her colourful photos of their life and surroundings (not to mention the gorgeous colourful fabrics that she sometimes photographs!). I’ve been fascinated with India for years and we’re actually in the midst of seriously contemplating a family trip there in the near future.

From the beginning Kanchan was warm and friendly and so open to share her family’s daily life and culture with us here on Jillian In Italy. Kanchan, who lived for over 20 years in Dubai, decided to return to India so that her two daughters would be close to family and friends and learn and appreciate all that Indian culture has to offer.

So let’s hear all about their life in Delhi.

A temple in Delhi

What country do you live in?

We live in India

How many kids do you have? What are their ages?

We have two girls. Diya is 12 and Naina is 10. And we have two beloved daschunds.

At the Amer Fort, Jaipur

Are you and your husband the same nationality?
Yes, we are both Indian

Do you both work? Or does someone stay at home?

I used to work for an airline in Dubai (Emirates). Now I am mostly at home with my girls. My husband does financial consultancy from home.

How many languages are spoken in your house? What one(s)?

English and Hindi.

At what age do kids start school in your country?

Most kids that we know start school at two and half years old. By three and a half they go to Kindergarten in a proper school. Our schools are mostly English medium and the curriculum is 10+2.

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Tags: A Kid's Life, daily family life, daily life in India, dehli, family, India, kids

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Categories A Kid's Life, Travel

A Kid’s Life: France

31 Jan

Time for another A Kid’s Life interview. Over the last year I’ve interviewed families about from Italy, Japan, America, The Philippines, Australia (Tasmania), New Zealand, Canada, Holland, Germany, Colombia and Belgium about their daily life and family routines. They have all been really interesting and quite eye-opening. I’m still thinking about the fact that school starts at 7:20 am in Colombia, that they eat fish for breakfast in Japan and that you have the option to learn Chinese in Tasmanian schools.

For this interview I talk with a family who is living in France. I stumbled upon Nicola’s blog ages ago and became enthralled with her gorgeous photography and stories about life in France. Nicola has 4 lovely daughters including twins. Being a mother of twins myself, I always have an instant connection with other mothers of multiples. Nicola is also a sewer and crafter and expert Lady Gaga hair-bow maker. Go check out her blog cover photo…absolutely gorgeous and self made!

I love Nicola’s comment, “so far our philosophy is to educate rather than restrict” in regards to their children and the amount of screen time they get. I think we could use that philosophy in so many areas of our parenting.. And I relate to the month of May being “Swiss Cheese Month”. We have the same problem here.

So, let’s meet Nicola and hear about her family and French style of life!

What country do you live in?

We’re currently living in France in the western suburbs of Paris, not far from the famous Château de Versailles. Before being posted to Paris, we spent ten years living in California. We love living in France, but our experience here is definitely that of expats. We are not a typical French family.

Are you and your husband the same nationality?

Yes, we’re both British born and raised. Our eldest daughter was born in London but the younger girls were born in the USA which entitles them to dual nationality. We always travel with a ‘tower’ of passports!

Do you both work? Or does someone stay at home?

My husband works very hard outside of the home and has to travel a lot for work. I work less hard inside the home and try not to feel too guilty when I get to go into Paris for a museum visit and a long lunch. It doesn’t happen that often!

How many languages are spoken in your house? What one(s)?

English; my husband and I with a British accent and the girls with an American accent! However, our two year old is learning English and French simultaneously which is fascinating to watch. I still can’t figure out what kind of accent she has!

How many kids do you have? What are their ages?

We have four girls. India is almost twelve, Georgia and Savannah are nine and Florence is two and – the all important – three quarters.

At what age do kids start school in your country?

The older girls are enrolled in an international school which begins with a preschool class at four and Kindergarten at five which is the same as the United States. Florence currently goes to a French Halte Garderie (non-compulsory nursery school) two full days a week and will start Maternelle (the formal and free beginning of a French school career) when she is three.