To mark parenthood month, we turned the microphone over to Charlotte, our Administrative and Financial Manager, with her unusual background, and above all... mother of 4 boys, Victor, Félix, Joseph and Achille.
Spoiler: it moves, but always with love!
Charlotte hasn't yet blown out her 50th birthday, but she's slowly getting there. She discovered parenthood at a young age, sharing it with her lifelong companion.
Together, they crossed borders: 12 years in France, then 12 years abroad, between Morocco, Algeria and Egypt, intense and formative life experiences, both in the family and at work.
How do you manage your personal and professional life?
On the professional side, she began by studying management, a little by default, before moving into finance with a master's degree in health economics. She took many turns: in the pharmaceutical industry, in NGOs, in family consultancy certification... until her position as Administrative and Financial Manager at Planète Enfants & Développement, where she finally felt a real pro/perso alignment.
After years of putting family life first, Charlotte is now more relaxed. As her children grow up, she can happily invest more time in her work, while remaining available at home: "They remain my priority." She admires those who juggle with young children: "I'm no longer chasing schedules or fevers at 39."
What does parenthood mean to you?
"Quite an adventure, a great responsibility, deep joy, unconditional love... and a daily routine where you have to learn to hold the frame and let go".
This path has made her a more humble woman: "We make mistakes all the time. The important thing is to be yourself, and to be good enough.
Values to pass on?
Not easy! Charlotte admits: "The more I go in with my big shoes on, the less it works." But she insists on trust, commitment and, as a believer, faith, even if the transmission side can sometimes be a bit tricky!
And the house with 4 boys?
There's no such thing as a typical day, except perhaps the famous "Friday sushi + family movie". "I know 30 minutes in advance how much we'll be eating in the evening. What does she prefer? Discussions where anything can be said: "I want them to feel that we can talk about anything. I don't like taboos."
On the fun side, she tried everything: surfing, diving, kiteboarding... often beaten at tennis, but always willing to share. Until skiing and a recalcitrant knee stopped her. Fortunately, there's always SkyJo, even if "it doesn't always end well...".
A message to yourself on the day you became a mother?
"Trust yourself. And above all, trust them. And enjoy. Yes, it's been a long 50 years to say that, but it's true: it goes by too fast."
Her greatest challenge? "Hearing a child's discomfort. You can't take their pain on their behalf."
The nicest surprise? "Seeing them rise up. To deeply accept their differences. That's when you really meet them."
How do the boys talk about their mom?
Victor describes her as "banana ice cream, gossipy and loving (if a little annoying at times...)". His favorite part? Being able to "discuss ALL subjects with her". Special mention for their weekend debates in the kitchen... and that parachute jump they did together: "Trop forte la mama!"
Félix sees her as "caring, loving and stressed about schedules". He enjoys their quiet lunches when she's "investigating her love life, trying to be discreet". A memory? A face-to-face encounter on a chairlift, back in the skiing days.
Joseph says she is "attentive, understanding and sociable". He admires her ability to "take care of everyone in a large family", and remembers their chats on the beach, as well as the preparation for his First Communion, a real highlight.
Achillethe youngest, describes her as "caring, comforting, kind". What does he like best about her? Their shared sense of humor. He remembers a Christmas when, as a boy, he wore his superhero costume over his overalls.
