answering your questions about our trip to paris

[@ANNETTEBANNON-w3x]

I appreciate free range parenting but sometimes discipline is important too, especially in restaurants with other diners. A friend of mine told me to put the time in teaching them how to behave in restaurants/public by age 3 and the rest of the years will be easy and she was right. They learned to sit at dinners out. They learned to be respectful of others, life does not alway revolve around them. yet they were allowed to be kids and have fun in the appropriate places. We took our kids everywhere, Europe, Islands, Hawaii all over US. I love that you are including them and teaching them..Truly bonds the family. your kids are adorable !!

[@kdyounger1]

Just finished 8 weeks in Austria, Germany, and France (/Olympics) with our 7 and 13 year olds this summer and did Italy last year. Love hearing your experiences. Thank you for sharing, Shawn and Andrew.

[@user-emilyyyy]

I love how you talked about the difference in quality of food and how it made you feel. There are such horrible chemicals that are allowed in our food in the United States 😞

[@PaulineHelmersson-hf5yf]

Allowed in europe too.

[@kyliekievit3931]

I have always encountered some rude people in France.. definitely no comparison.. Italians are so nice, respectful and hospitable.

[@taylorkaufman4574]

I went to Paris when I graduated high school in 2014 and I saw Versailles, the louve and my aunt had an apartment right across from the eiffel tower and showed me everything. She passed last year but everything your saying about Paris brings back SO many memories for me! She lived there for 30+ years and showed me everything

[@tracyramos1019]

I agree with you, my husband I spent two weeks in London loved it, spent a long weekend in Paris and hated it. I also agree with you about Disney paris, if you're a big Disney fan its worth it. I would do that again.

[@pressleydeb1922]

I know the East Tennessee place as I live very very close to it. And it’s AMAZING!! Nothing better than East Tennessee in the Fall!! Go Vols 🧡

[@katherinew1538]

Oh man I would love to see you guys on the Amazing Race! Totally get not being away from the kids though.

[@carafay3388]

We lived in a small French town near the Alps for a year with our baby and toddler. Most French people were welcoming, patient, and kind. Workers at our local boulangerie loved seeing our kiddos and often gave the 2-year-old special treats. Pretty much everyone we encountered was happy to hear our mediocre attempts at the French language because they saw that we were trying. We did encounter a few French people who were bothered by our loud/boisterous children, but that was more of the exception than the rule. We spent a long weekend in Paris, where we experienced more of the "French people are rude" stereotype. In Paris, they seemed a bit more impatient, which makes sense. There are a LOT of tourists and people who refuse to read signs or try to learn about French culture. My favorite Paris moment was at a museum. The security guard yelled at me, in English, to take off my "backpack." I gave him a confused look and turned around, saying, "C'est un bébé." (my baby was in a backpack carrier). He and the other security guards burst into laughter and let us on through. Give grace, be flexible, and keep the perspective that most cultural norms aren't wrong; they're just different. All that said, we also spent a week in Tuscany, and the vibe there is much more relaxed. It seems that Italians are naturally extroverted and unafraid of a little noise. Like you, we were approached by lots of smiling Italians who seemed to adore children. Personally, I think smaller towns are the way to go, especially with young children.

[@PaulineHelmersson-hf5yf]

People satt the French are rude, But i was there in summer and everyone was lovely. Where own find really rude people, go to Bcn or my hometown Stockholm.

[@conniemoore5341]

I love this ! I watched the recap video and was thinking about how I can make this trip happen with my kids but watching this is really helpful .

[@debbieinitaly]

Suggestion: once you arrive in any foreign country- ask around locals for best day trips, where to eat, cooking experiences, what to get when, where, etc. Most countries are eager to help you. Just like we are when ppl ask us in our city- where do you recommend to eat, stay, see, etc. Hope that helps. I’m booking a 4 mo trip to bucket list countries one more time (I’m retired) but have been to crazy places off the beaten path.

[@erinpauley6697]

You would probably crush the Amazing race and would love to see you on it. I am sure Mallory could give some tips. But, it is a commitment to be away. If you go back it would be different if you choose a different itinerary and go to another part of the same place.

[@barbaramacleod51]

You’re so right with your summing up of England, France and Italy. We loved England, Italy and Spain with our family, also 3 kids! I can only speak about Paris itself but we found the locals actually rude. We were staying with my brother😅 and sister in law who lived there for three years for work. They also had three lively kids. Loved the city itself, sights and monuments but the people mostly unwelcoming! Do they even like kids? 😂. I did French at school and tried speaking a couple of times as usually people enjoy you trying their language. Not the French. The first time the shop assistant smirked at me and spoke in English. The second time my sister in law needed to get a part for a musical instrument for her son. She rehearsed it and looked it up as she was having French lessons at the time. She asked the assistant in what I thought decent French. She laughed in my sister in law’s face. My sister in law was so upset she burst into tears, not like her, and left the shop. How rude. They lived on the outskirts of Paris in a beautiful house and garden belonging to the company my B in Law worked for. The first time he went to cut the lawn, it was his only day off that week, Sunday. He was told to stop immediately by a neighbour as you’re not allowed to use machinery outside on a Sunday or make a noise where they lived! Then when my S in Law decided to hang out some bedding she’d washed as it was a beautiful sunny day another neighbour said we don’t hang washing outside in this area! It makes gardens untidy! OMG can you imagine how intolerant they are. Italy and Spain make your children so welcome! They are able to be normal kids, and where they know they are welcome, they respond to that! They were happy, laughing, singing, dancing and chatting to everyone. Hence we were happier and more relaxed! I would certainly not rush back to Paris!

[@languerouge5385]

It is so exagerated ! How can you be so hateful against one country ? French people are making many more babies than spain or italian people. I live in Paris, I have 2 children. My children are happy and relaxed like in any country. Stop telling bullshit about french people ! I'm not telling that France is the best country in the world. But what you describe about my country is not true.

[@barbaramacleod51]

@@languerouge5385 I can assure you every word I said is absolutely true. As I said I can only talk about the Parisians not all of France. I didn’t even tell the worst story about the rudeness of one Parisian woman and I’m not talking bullshit thank you very much, I did come across one very nice girl who was a student painting beautiful still life pictures. I bought one from her. It’s not hatred on my part just my personal experience of two different trips to Paris. Yes I did go back a second time to take my sister for her 40th birthday. She loved the city and the sights like I did. We didn’t have children with us and we didn’t try out our French so kept ourselves to ourselves. We lit a candle in the cathedral near Mont Martre for our mother who died when we were children and it was very moving. It was a few years ago, maybe I need to go back then.

[@PaulineHelmersson-hf5yf]

We had the oppositie experience, been many times to Paris and France. So much more polite than people in Bcn (agressive) and Sweden (snobs and rude)

[@debisusan4338]

I live in LA and visit Paris often. I wouldn’t say they are anything a like though. I am a huge fan of traveling with kids to Europe, but not until they will actually remember the experience, not what you will remember.

[@KBMac-tu2mg]

Same

[@skylerhill1680]

“Naked time” hahaha I love the honesty. Thank you!

[@jennifervillate4323]

OMG I wouldve loved to see you guys on amazing race!

[@catherinehope6641]

If I had the money, I would move to Sorrento in a heartbeat. I’ve been to Rome. I’ve been to Florence Ven, but Sorrento stole my heart. And having the island Capri right there didn’t hurt anything.

[@poodleladylady5686]

I actually have a weight question as a mom. I was never an athlete like you, however when I had my first child I lost all my weight with no attempt to do so, but after my second child I never lost the weight and have struggled ever since. Having a gymnast body which is all muscle, have you has any issues loosing the weight after your children? If so what have you done to bounce back?

[@avblank71]

VPN is virtual private network. That is how I connect to my companies network via my remote laptop and I’m secure under all their security when using the internet.

[@eprohoda]

Hiya!- Shawn!breathtaking view. =)

[@erinpauley6697]

VPN, Virtual Private Network which keeps your electronics safe and a lot harder to hack. Also, you can set the country of origin to anywhere even if you are not there.

[@taylorkaufman4574]

Our kids are almost the same exact ages. My daughter was born 8/9/19, my son was born 3/6/21 and my 2nd son was born 4/10/23

[@debbieinitaly]

⚠️ PSA: rethink the EXOTIC international trips requiring all the vaccines, shots etc. Their bodies cannot handle it- “just for vaca” they WILL NOT remember. Plenary to do/explore in N America til they are 10yo and will truly remember anyway. 🎉🎉 Skip African safari til they are teens. You will regret that trip & miss out on the full safari experiences. ❤

[@patriciamora2915]

When you travel that far with Children do you book first class or coach

[@kinsleybridges9031]

How did the Ubers work with the young kids? If it was a short trip, did you use car seats?

[@kinsleybridges9031]

also I would absolutely love the itineraries!!

[@patriciahills6962]

Shawn, I love your hairstyle. What a fabulous trip for your entire family. Making family memories is best: I admire you both so much. Any possibility to interview Scotty and Gabi McCreery?

[@Cindy-bi4tc]

I also noticed Shawn's hair, love the way it is cut on the sides.

[@kellieprestidge9346]

Did she bob it off?

[@Julie-kb3mo]

🤷‍♀️ Sooooo ... Were you gone 3 weeks ? Or was it one month ? Just curious. An extra week makes a difference.

[@apr420]

Kudos to you guys for having your priorities straight....what an awesome mom & dad you are❣

[@KBMac-tu2mg]

Their neither of those ages 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 that is so funny . I do the same with having 4 kids

[@browneyes-cj8eg]

you guys need to learn a nooner or sooner is the way to go. never mind Date Night

[@lindahenderson2987]

VPN is virtual private network. This protects you while using the internet with secure privacy. I was shocked to hear you both, as famous as you are, do not use vpn always.

[@eburns6041]

Can we send you comments via not the comments?

[@jenniferlapense1229]

Honestly, who cares if you get alone time.

[@Jennifer-hk4jy]

French people...

[@Gulfcoastgirl22]

As a Christian, I’m just curious why you are not addressing the opening ceremonies? I was quite concerned by it. I realize it might be religious/political issues but I still want your take on it.

[@ritamcginness]

Virtual Private Network

[@languerouge5385]

Spain fertility rate 1.2 children per women in 2021, Italy 1.2 children per woman, France more than 1.8 in 2021. And you tell me that they prefer children in Spain or in Italy ? How can you compare a tourist spot in a small city in Italy to one of the biggest city in Europe where tourism is not the main activity ?

[@PaulineHelmersson-hf5yf]

What has fertility to do with how people treat eachother?

[@elizabethjones5571]

Um if the kids are all under five, they’re not going to remember the trip

[@alamryfarms754]

Not entirely true. I have some specific memories of my grandpa and he died when I was 2 (I’m almost 50). Also, does this mean you should not do anything fun with your kids until you are 5?

[@skyelynnae]

​@alamryfarms754 right, I dislike that sentiment. If you have the means to go on trips, take the kids if you want, regardless of the age! Synapses and neurological pathways in the brain are being made in the brain either way. Even if the young kids don't remember every specific thing, core memories and moments are being made and is such a good foundation

[@elizabethjones5571]

@@alamryfarms754of course not. But under 5 kids are not going to remember

[@elizabethjones5571]

@@skyelynnae I don’t disagree but stop taking everything so negatively. If you’re looking for kids to look back on a trip they took when they were two and go, Oh that was a great trip, you’re just delusional.

[@littleredbender]

@@elizabethjones5571That’s just not true. Kids can form memories as early as 2. Obviously Bear won’t remember and it’s unlikely Jett will remember much long-term, but Drew will have memories of the bigger stuff from the trip.

[@Gulfcoastgirl22]

As a Christian, I’m just curious why you are not addressing the opening ceremonies? I was quite concerned by it. I realize it might be religious/political issues but I still want your take on it.

[@lynnfesta2794]

She did address it when she was over there and one of her videos. I don’t know if it was on Instagram or here. I forget it was a short one, but she did address it. She didn’t want to take away from the athletes who have trained so hard to be there, so I think it was pretty much noncommittal

[@Julie-kb3mo]

@@lynnfesta2794 Thanks for sharing this. I wouldn't know since I only use KZbin. It WOULD be an appreciated video/ discussion here since Shawn and Andrew seem to touch on Christianity as their faith.

[@eburns6041]

Psalm 1:1-6.