Hey Chris, welcome here.
Your wife and friend don’t like it? They’ll get used to it once you can really ride with them 
!
The easiest way to learn is by meeting other unicyclist and having them help you. And the quickest way to that considering where you live is going to the « Rando du mardi soir » downtown Paris. Get there early and you’ll have some people helping you out, especially if you warn them your coming beforehand! (des photos de la cfm???)
Good luck learning, it’s the hardest part, but then comes the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun!