Julie, single mother and nomad: “being a nomad hasn’t increased my mental load, life is just less linear”

Blue eyes and long hair tinged with red reflections, Julie Del Papa delicately recounts her new life as a nomad. “We spent a month in Avignon, six weeks in Agde, a trip to the Drôme to see family, first five weeks in Strasbourg, then Nancy and soon Normandy, Rennes and Saint-Brieuc”, list 31 year old mother. “Now I have tons of friends everywhere”, adds his seven-year-old daughter Elena. According to her mother, she has never been as sociable as she has been since this life on the road. Or rather train, Julie not having permission.

The thirty-year-old is surprised by the satisfaction she has found in this new experience. “We did it for Elena, but I find my account there”, he reflects, imagining a year of nomadic life before finding a stable position. This project, Julie had not foreseen, nor had she imagined. “At first I wanted to move, but a friend gave me the idea of ​​becoming a nomad. We could go anywhere because Elena was homeschooledexplains. She was diagnosed with school phobia almost a year ago, she was in high school.

Covid, a loss of orientation

Julie admits she wondered if it was a “whim” of her daughter. It all started with the return to school, after the weeks of confinement linked to the health crisis. “He developed hypersensitivity, he couldn’t stand any friction on his body anymore. Dressing her was torture”, remember. To which are added crises of anxiety, sadness and anger. “When she got home she let herself go and ended up crying”. Elena remembers it very well: “I didn’t want to go to school even though the teacher was nice”. It’s also this benevolent school environment that pushes the idea of ​​a school phobia into Julie’s head. “And I didn’t even know you could develop it at that age”he assumes.

After weeks of suffering, the diagnosis is made by the psychologist consulted by Elena. According to the healthcare professional, the child has lost his bearings due to Covid-19. The masks and health instructions have had an impact on the youngest, everywhere in France and in all social categories. “Because there were more downsides than upsides to taking Elena to school, I decided to take her out of school in her senior year”says Julie, now convinced she’s made the right choice.

Homeschooling is everywhere

Home schooling, or home schooling (IEF), is then imposed on the mother of the family, who assumes the role of mistress. A chance for Julie, then unemployed, who had just skipped the exam to become a dance teacher. “It doesn’t bother me, because I’ve always enjoyed broadcasting and sharing.” support mom. At least once a year, a national education inspector will come to check your daughter’s level. Like all French pupils, Elena must follow the school curriculum and acquire the knowledge and skills required according to her age. Every day it is up to Julie to organize the time dedicated to study. No framework is imposed on it either.

Julie takes on this educational part herself, as does all of Elena’s responsibility. She raised her daughter on her own, providing financial security for her family through odd jobs. “Being a nomad has not increased my mental load. Life is just less linear, you have to anticipate a lot more.

Living from city to city means not having a house, full of personal belongings and footprints. “It’s minimalistic, we take rentals on Airbnb or stay a few days with friends“, explains Julie. ” Elena has a cabin suitcase with her toys, we have a large suitcase of clothes and a backpack with school books and personal things.“The Thirties greatly appreciate this fortuitous lightness. As for her life as her woman, she expresses no regret at seeing it confused with that of her mother. “My social life doesn’t end without Elena, but it’s a choice. It’s not a burden I drop to see my friends.”, he says, full. The little girl takes advantage of this life of wandering to make friends all over France. “Played for hours with the daughter of the owners who rented us a studio near their house”Julia smiles.

Elena’s school phobia allowed mother and daughter, against all odds, to experience this educational interlude. “We visit cities, learn the history of our regions and discover traditional dishes. We I would not have eaten tartes flambées in Montpellier!”Julia smiles. The family that she forms with her daughter has found a balance of hers, which the single mother now wishes to enrich by creating her own communication micro-enterprise.