It's not every day I share positive stories about the RATP, Paris's public transport operator—but today is one of those rare days!
Hello from this stereotypical grumpy Parisian. No "goodbye" needed here!
Yesterday morning, the RATP turned me into the world's best mom—at least in my daughters' eyes.
Yes, I still fit into my boots, why do you ask?
What was I saying? Thanks for not interrupting this captivating tale—it's great for my ego.
Picture this: I was escorting my young schoolgirl to the metro station to meet her friends. These pre-teens—a group of slim girls with Eastpacks, long hair, and lucky ones sporting Stan Smiths—travel together. Her phone rings (rarely a quiet moment): a friend, sounding stressed, reports the metro is down.
Stay calm, girls. Metro disruptions are common in Paris; a slight delay is no big deal. But I pick up the pace, grab my wallet and metro tickets just in case, and head to meet the first friend.
Soon, more calls: another friend is stuck at the previous station. I suggest she walks to join us. Two more arrive, a bit panicked but adorable as ever. At 11 years old, mastering the Paris metro network isn't second nature yet.
Quick check on my RATP app: metros are running but overcrowded. Alternative routes advised.
This was the perfect chance to use the bus route I'd shown my daughter over the weekend—but hadn't taken.
Thanks to the RATP hiccup, I ended up chaperoning four bewildered pre-teens to school. We headed to a bus stop few knew existed.
The 11-minute wait? Pure joy. Boarding the packed bus was a squeeze, but my message was firm: "We get on, no excuses."
Welcome to Parisian life.
I rode all the way with them—they weren't sure where to alight or walk next. I even called the school to explain the delay. Traffic didn't help, and with classes unforgiving (three words late means an hour of detention), I hated for them to be marked tardy—especially as early birds (one arrived an hour early for a 20-minute trip; nerds!).
My pre-teen crew thanked me profusely. They truly wouldn't have managed without me.
Proof: Even at 11 with all the attitude, kids still need Mom!
Hooray!
A bright spot in the day of a pre-teen mom.
