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“I was born in France and I feel French, but also Portuguese because all my family comes from there. In my childhood, I spent the holidays in the country. My mother tongue is Portuguese and at the same time I feel a real love for France. It is so much richer to be of mixed race! The only times when that poses a problem is when France plays football against Portugal… During the last big match, I was so stressed that I went to bed earlier. On the other hand, when France won, I celebrated on the Champs-Élysées!
In Portugal, we mainly live outside
I nurture my son from both cultures, speaking Portuguese to him and spending the holidays there. It is because of our nostalgia – nostalgia for the country. In addition, I really like the way we bring up children in our village – the little ones are more resourceful and they help each other a lot. Portugal for them, and suddenly for parents, it’s freedom! We mainly live outside, near our family, especially when we come from a village like mine.
Old beliefs are important in Portugal …
“Did you cover your baby’s head?” If you don’t, it will bring bad luck! », Said my grandmother when Eder was born. It surprised me, I’m not superstitious, but my whole family believes in the evil eye. For example, I was told not to enter a church during my pregnancy, nor to allow my newborn baby to be touched by a very old person. Portugal remains a country very influenced by these old beliefs, and even the new generations keep something of them. For me, this is nonsense, but if that reassures some young mothers, so much the better!
Portuguese grandmother remedies
- Against fever flares, rub the forehead and feet with vinegar or cut potatoes that are placed on the baby’s forehead.
- Against constipation, children are given a spoonful of olive oil.
- To relieve dental pain, baby’s gums are rubbed with coarse salt.
In Portugal, soup is an institution
From 6 months, children eat everything and are at the table with the whole family. We are not afraid of spicy or salty dishes. Maybe thanks to that, my son eats everything. From 4 months, we serve our baby’s first meal: a porridge composed of wheat flour and honey bought ready in pharmacies that we mix with water or milk. Very quickly, we move on with smooth purees of vegetables and fruits. Soup is an institution. The most typical is the caldo verde, made from mixed potatoes and onions, to which we add cabbage strips and olive oil. When the children are older, you can add little bits of chorizo.
In Portugal, the pregnant woman is sacred
Your loved ones do not hesitate to give you advice, even to warn you if you eat unpeeled apples or anything that is not good for a pregnant woman. The Portuguese are ultra-protective. We are very well attended: from the 37th week, the young mother is invited to check the baby’s heartbeat every day with her obstetrician. The state also offers childbirth preparation sessions and offers infant massage classes. French doctors put a lot of pressure on the weight of the future mother, while in Portugal, she is sacred, we are careful not to hurt her.
If she has gained a little weight, it’s okay, the most important thing is that the baby is healthy! The downside is that mom is no longer seen as a woman. For example, there is no rehabilitation of the perineum, whereas in France, it is reimbursed. I still admire Portuguese mothers, who are like good little soldiers: they work, raise their children (often without help from their husbands) and still find the time to take care of themselves and cook.
Parenting in Portugal: the numbers
Maternity leave: 120 days 100% paid, or 150 days 80% paid, as desired.
Paternity leave : 30 days if they wish. They are in any case obliged to take half of it, or 15 days.
Rate of children per woman: 1,2
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