PARENTALITÉ
LIFESTYLE
Parentalité is a new show about raising kids in France, the French parenting style, and how to balance it while still holding on to our anglophone traditions.
The show is produced by Message Paris , an association for English speaking parents and caregivers based in Paris and Île-de-France, and ARBL Murray at World Radio Paris.
Hosted by Joelle Benoliel, with guest Kleidi Jeen
In this episode, Joelle Benoliel interviews Self-Care Strategist Kleidi Jeen about how to regulate your nervous system in the face of starting a business, being a parent, living in Paris, and keeping yourself mentally healthy. We learn about Kleidi’s journey from Louisiana to Paris, and with Joelle she goes over a few strategies and practices to ward off overwhelm.
Kleidi is a “Self-Care Strategist for Creatives Who Launch.” She uses her SUNDAE approach to help creatives start their brand or business.
You can find out more on the SOFT SUNDAE website, or follow Kleidi on Instagram at @softsundaestudio.
Hosted by Meg Gerner and ARBL Murray, with guest Romy Treneer
In France coming back to school, and back to work after the summer vacation is a very important time of year. The French refer to this part of the year as “rentrée.” We decided to take a deep dive into the French school system with Romy Treneer who raised two children in Paris while teaching in the French university system before embarking on a career in the corporate sector.
Hosted by Joelle Benoliel and recorded in Paris.
This month we learn about the history of the parks and playgrounds in Paris with special guest Adam Levy, who talks about the idea behind creating play centered spaces through-out the age of industry. Later, Joelle, Rachelle, and Meg, talk about their favorite parks and picnic spots in Paris.
For those with kids or just looking for a great place to picnic “like a Parisian,” enjoy the secrets gardens in the latest episode of Parentalité.
This show is a collaboration between World Radio Paris and Message Paris, an association supporting anglophone parents and caretakers of children in the Paris region.
Check out the full list of our park recommendations here
Hosted by Joelle Benoliel, with guest Penelope Fletcher
On this Episode of Parentalité, Joelle Benoliel visits the wonderful, magical, anglophone bookshop for kids and talks with the owner and founder, Penelope Fletcher. Just adjacent to Jardin du Luxembourg, The Red Balloon is the kid focused section of The Red Wheelbarrow and is a haven for little readers and their parents to come, learn, pick out books, and build community.
Penelope raised her children in Paris while opening and maintaining the Red Wheelbarrow. She shares her beautiful story of love, difficulty, children, and books in the city of Paris. She also gives her 3 current favorites for young readers.
For more information on The Redwheelbarrow and The Red Balloon please visit their website: https://theredwheelbarrowbookstore.com/
PARENTALITÉ is a produced in collaboration with Message Paris, an association of anglophone caretakers and parents in the Paris Region.
This episode was produced by ARBL Murray for World Radio Paris and Message Paris with Host Joelle Benoliel on Location at The Red Balloon Bookstore.
Hosted by Joelle Benoliel, Meg Gerner, and Rachelle Chapman with guest Christine Siler
In this episode of Parentalité Joelle, Meg, and Rachelle, talk with Christine Siler about Menopause. Christine (Tina) is a menopause policy advocate and is changing the way women, men, doctors, and families see menopause.
In some cultures it was regarded as a sacred time when a women transitioned into a wiser peaceful keeper of the community, now many fear and dread it. Tina is working to change the policy and medical care around menopause so that the women in our lives can move into this phase with dignity.
Tina is producing a screening of ‘The M Factor’ an important and controversial documentary about menopause medical policy and a panel discussion afterward on June 4th 2025, 19:00-21:30 at the historic Luminor Theater in the Marais.
Our crew talks candidly about how, with the appropriate support both emotional and medical, this can be something to look forward to. A huge part of the discussion is around access to medication and research and bringing those things to the medical system in France. How and when to start advocating for yourself.
To buy tickets and more info about the M Factor screening in Paris visit:
https://www.messageparis.org/event-details/the-m-factor-in-paris
For more information on Christine Siler visit:
https://www.christinesiler.com/
Parentalité is produced by ARBL Murray for World Radio Paris and recorded at their studio.
Hosted by ARBL Murray, Meg Gerner with guests Oliver Gee and Lina Nordin Gee
On this episode of Parentalité we talk about the French way of reading and storytelling with children.
First, Meg Gerner chats with Oliver Gee and Lina Nordin Gee, the parent duo responsible for the popular podcast The Earful Tower, about their series of children’s books which all feature precocious animal characters who galavant around Paris. Lena talks about being a creative mom with a toddler and a newborn and Oliver gives us insight into their reading habits with three languages in the household.
Later in the Episode Joelle Benoliel and Rachelle Chapman talk about reading culture with kids in France from the huge influence of Bond Dessiners (graphic novels or comic style books) to the prevalence of libraries in the lives of French children.
We talk about our favorite books growing up, and the favorite books of our children growing up in France.
Recommendations From This Episode
Check out The children’s books by Oliver and Lina Nordin Gee set in Paris for kids of all ages.
https://theearfultower.com/shop/
Our Favorite Books When We Were Young
Joelle: Stormy with a chance of Meatballs, U.S.A
Lena: Pippi Longstocking , Sweden
Lena: A Sunday Doll (en söndagsdocka), Sweden
Rachelle: The Giving Tree, Saul Silverstien, U.S.A
New Kids Books in English
Joelle recommends, Halibut Jackson
Oliver Gee recommends, The Gruffalo and all the Julia Donaldson books.
Current French Books for Our Francophone Kids
Roule Galette (young) A classic tale about a Galette Roi (King Cake) who escapes those who wish to eat her.
Ana, Ana (young)
Les trots petits cochons Three little pigs as architects by Steven GUARNACCIA. (Young)
Les Cahiers d’Esther (Notebooks of Esther) 9 – 12 years
Hosted by ARBL Murray, Rachelle Chapman with guest Joelle Benoliel
On this episode of PARENTALITÉ, we meet Joelle Benoliel, an American mom living in the heart of Paris. She is a communications coach and talks with Rachelle Chapman and ARBL Murray about navigating the cultural differences between French and American lifestyles. We talk about old French Christmas traditions, Hanukah, and French holiday cinema.
Episode Notes and Recommendations:
Films:
Santa Claus is a Stinker (Le père Noël est une ordure) 1982 AND it’s American remake Mixed Nuts! FOR ADULTS
French Fried Vacation 2: The Bronzes go Skiing (Les Bronzés font du ski) 1979! FOR ADULTS
Santa & Cie (2017) FOR KIDS
Paris Playgrounds for meeting up with parents and other kids –
Jardin Villemin & Jardin Nelson Mandela
In The News:
Anne Hidalgo announced an “urban forest” planting scheme for the Place de l’Hotel de Ville
Paris & IDF Holiday Lists:
Ice Skating at les Grand Palais
Holiday Markets:
Tuileries,. Vincennes, Chantilly
Hosted by Meg Gerner, Rachelle Chapman, and ARBL Murray
This episode is all about HALLOWEEN! We talk about French traditions, the Invasion of American Halloween. We talk about the best spooky French movies. Adam Levy tells a scary ghost story set in the Tuileries Gardens of Paris, and we interview Trick or Treaters at Message Paris’ annual Spooktackular event.
In the past 30 years or so, as more English speaking people settle in France, Late-20th-century Halloween traditions have invaded France and are changing the way the autumn season is typically enjoyed. The French traditionally celebrate All Saint’s Day on November 1st after generally a two week school break- this holiday is known as “Toussaint,” and is a somber observance during which many French families remember their loved ones who have passed on. Some families visit graves. It is a day to remember all saints, both known and unknown.