Monday, June 11, 2012

N'Importe Quoi

One of Ma Fille's favorite words. N'importe quoi.

It means, 'whatever' 'so what', 'what you just said makes no sense at all'. She says it all the time to the Middlest. A lot to P-Daddy, and yes, even to me. The Littlest kind of lives in a permanent state of 'n'importe quoi' as far as she's concerned.

It's the end of another school year. She's finishing what we Americans call 4th grade, or French  CM1, she's fluent, happy and standing at the border of 'ado'. Her toes are just at the line, tipping. Sometimes she crosses over and the 'n'importe quoi' has a moody meanness to it, but mostly it's a happy, funny response to the way I've said how proud of her I am or the way P-Daddy gets completely lost when we speak French at the dinner table.

I don't care if I get the attitude, eye rolling, 'whatever'. Because I am proud of them. All three. Remarkably so. Because they started French school at the end of the year, two. years. ago., they've done this end of year thing three times. And all of this 'whatever' has reminded me of this post I wrote at the end of our first May, June and July of school.

The other day in the car on our way to school, she smiled and said, 'I just love my school.' Happily anticipated another great day.
That's what makes a parent feel proud and happy. All the rest is just 'n'importe quoi.'.

14 comments:

  1. I recall my daughter's progression of "whatever" from grade school when it was sort of cute to high school when it was irritating. Thankfully, they turned out great and are now mother's themselves and they will soon face "whatever" themselves. I can't wait to see how they deal with it.

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    1. I guess we Moms have to say our own 'whatever' in our heads, eyes rolled in secret. :)
      aidan

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  2. I love hearing that other bicultural moms are having a good experience raising their kids in the French system. Being just a couple of years ahead of you in ages, my two girls cause me some secret eye-rolling but mostly, they are a joy to be around. Their happiness is contagious...sounds the same "chez toi" :)

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    1. It is better than I ever hoped Meredith. Why do we hear such horror stories?
      You're right about the joy. It is contagious. The thrill of youth and the burgeon is too. I think it keeps us young, don't you?
      Enjoy the last few weeks and any advice for my future girl years I'd appreciate greatly. ;)
      aidan x

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  3. I get some foot-stamping and eye-rolling occasionally, which is a bit rough given she's only 6. I thought I'd have sweetness and light for a few years yet. Trials of being the only girl in the house I guess, something that Ma Fille can commiserate with! Being the eldest is a bit harder too, in the case of Ma Fille. Even with a few 'whatevers' she's a gorgeous girl just like her mum!

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    1. I think you're right about being the only girl in a house of boys, (well there's me and Clementine) because they just ANNOY her so much! Which they love.
      Your lovely girlie is sweetness and light and mine thinks she's great. Girl power!
      aidan xo

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  4. yay! i love this post. it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and I'm not even a mom! it's so amazing how kids easily acclimate to things like oh you know, learning a new language.. happy summer!

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    1. that's sweet. I love warm and fuzzy. you'll feel the same when there are little lancelots running around.
      too bad about that Nice getaway, huh?
      aidan x

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  5. Aaah this made me feel so nostalgic for my number 4 child who was 9 when we moved to France and made the transition to french school so bravely. I always say it gave her back her childhood. In 2002 she really could be nine in a tiny, rural french school not going on nineteen as all the kids had seemed to be in her english school. How we loved the school lunch menus and learning to decipher the notes from school. She was fluent in french within six months. She is 20 now and they were happy days.

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    1. Hi! And thanks so much for commenting meadowlass. It made me so happy when I read your comment first thing this morning. You're right about the innocence, is it France do you think, or just being in another country where you don't yet know the rules and language? I feel like even though there's talk of boys and petits amoreux (probably totally screwed up the french spelling, comme d'hab) it's all very sweet and innocent, kind of pure. That said, there is talk of a lot of bad words floating around the school yard, (p*tain! being one) so it's not all rosy. But, I'd rather a bad word or two with happy, free innocence in all other ways.
      I'm glad to have touched on this memory for you. I'm sure all four of your children are lovely. Welcome back to France to you and Mr Prof. You have a new fan and reader in me.
      bisous,
      aidan

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  6. Sweet, sweet. I sometimes think people may get ill of me going on about how amazing my girls are....or they mistake my adoration for thinking they are perfect (which I promise they are not and I know it)....but I SO appreciate them, eye rolling and all.

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    1. I say, let them get ill! They're our girls and we know what's what. Nobody's perfect and that's why we love each other. Yours gave me my first taste of motherhood. I will always remember them like that. No matter what, n'importe quoi.
      love you,
      aidan

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  7. I never knew how to say 'whatever' in French. I'm pretty sure the phrase was deliberately kept from me... well not anymore, it's going to be," n'importe quoi", in my house all the time now! HA HA! (that was a maniacal life by the way)

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    1. Oh, poor G. I can't wait for the first time you use it. I wish I could be there to see.
      a xo

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