Finding My Voice as a Mother: Eugénie's Story

Adjusting to the neew life was difficult, and social isolation crept in, amplified by the lack of family nearby and no means of transport.

Things became even harder when I was bedridden during my pregnancy with Lyam. He was born prematurely at seven months, and at 32 months old, he still struggled to speak. His silence filled me with worry. My husband and I were advised to seek help from a speech therapist, but that didn’t materialise. Then came a recommendation from the PMI nurse about 1001mots.

1001mots changed everything. From the moment we signed up, I felt supported. Books arrived for Lyam, text messages offered simple parenting tips, and weekly calls with Géraldine, a compassionate 1001mots expert, became my lifeline. She taught me to engage Lyam through everyday interactions—narrating our walks, describing his bath routine, and celebrating his small victories. At first, it felt unnatural, but I persisted.

Today, Lyam has made incredible progress. While he’s not speaking fluently yet, he understands instructions and can say a few words. The joy of seeing him hand me a spoon when I ask for it is indescribable. And with Géraldine’s encouragement, I’ve started talking to my 8-month-old daughter, Elue-Myra, confident that she’ll develop faster.

The anxiety about Lyam’s school years has eased, and as a family, we’re more at peace. Thanks to 1001mots, I’ve regained confidence—not just as a mother but as a person—and I see hope in our future.