Laws in France?

[wife&mommy]

Can anyone tell me about some of the laws there? We are considering a move from the USA.

Things like homeschooling, vaxing, and home birthing?

Thank you SO much. I just don't know where to start looking for this info.

We are looking in a few countries so sorry if you see this repeated.

[RomanGoddess]

Homeschooling: educational "instruction" is compulsory age 6 and up but it can be done at home, no problem. I believe you are obliged to follow the CNED and an educational inspector may drop in. The homeschooling community in France is small but it exists. Check out the website of the organization Les Enfants D'Abord.

Homebirthing: legal. You need to find a "sage femme liberale" who is available to do it, though, and there is a shortage of them. Search early on.

Vaxing: There are many recommended vaccines and I think only a couple of compulsory ones (although I think they might only be compulsory for children attending school or daycare), though for the life of me I can't remember which ones. Someone else should be able to fill you in on that, though.

[Hollycrand]

If you want your children to participate in any activities or attend school or day care, then vaccinations are COMPULSORY. You won't find too many doctors who are non-vax., and if you do decide to keep your kids at home for schooling and such, do NOT talk about it too much. Not vaccinating your child could be seen by some as child neglect. You might be able to get away with it if you have 'ex pat' status and will be going back to the US in 2-3 years, but otherwise it is considered criminal not to vaccinate your children. No joke.

[ewe+lamb]

If you are non-vaxing you can contact the embassy/consulate and ask for an exemption certificate or go to the american hospital and explain that where you come from it is not necessary to vaccinate and that you don't want to vaccinate your child if you are only staying here for 2/3 years then you can present it to schools, doctors etc, it really depends on the director of the school and whether you can manage this with them - someone I know through MDC has had a terrible time with a very stubborn director and have ended up in court over vaccines, however most homeopathic drs are fairly understanding about vaccines - the first 3 vaccines which are given at 8,12,16 weeks are compulsory the rest are NOT, certainly in some creches they want the TB, MMR etc but it doesn't sound as if you are going down that road. Les enfants d'abbord is a great organisation and is well worth looking into, also LLL France is very active and there will be a group in or around where you are going, in paris we have an english speaking group, and there is another english speaking group in the south of france - but you need to decide where you are going to live first of all and then contact the group, through the group someone will be able to give you recommendations (outside of the meeting though) for doctors etc, homebirth is fine but as mentioned before not easy to find a safe femme. Also as mentioned before certainly don't advertise the fact that you don't vax or that you are thinking of homeschooling - you'll get LOADS of unwanted advice on how you are damaging you child etc - be very wary of who you mention this sort of thing to.