Hi all...I'm looking at moving to Mexico from California (USA) next summer with my 10 year old daughter. Just wondering if any of you have moved with your children to a foriegn country, and how they did there.
I will not be working (as in a regular, paying job), and am planning to enroll her in school there. I'll be doing volunteer work in the area, and we'll take time to go exploring. It's just the two of us - she's an adventurous, bright and adaptable child and is looking forward to this. We'll go to language school for a month prior to settling in (I already speak Spanish pretty well, but can always get better! She used to speak it as a pre-schooler, but hasn't spoken in some time). I also have some friends/contacts in the area we're moving to, and they have kids about the same age, so I'm hoping that will help ease the transition.
Your input would be much appreciated!!
This has been cross-posted on the "for the long haul" thread
We've moved as a family with my work on a number of occasions and have always found our children settled very easily into their new life, althought to be honest our daughter has found it more difficult than our son.
I think the main thing to take care of is to listen to your daughter when you arrive, it can be too easy to pass a genuine concern she has over as being just settling in pains.
Having friends, and importantly people from your own culture to relate to is a great help. Depending on how long you plan to be away you may need to plan your return before you leave, agree return dates for schools and assess the curiculum at your daughter's new school against that back home.
It is the general concensus among the expats I work with that children who are retuning to their home country should do so no later than the age of about 12 or 13, so as to be able to settle back into those important school exams.
I teach at an international school full of children from other countries. Some of these children do well and others do not. Preparation (yours and theirs) can make a huge difference. Try the following reading:
Third Culture Kids by David C. Pollock, Ruth E. Van Reken
Also check out the "Customers who bought this book also bought" using an online bookstore search. Check your local library for any of the titles as well.
Happy reading and I hope you both have a wonderful experience
Cheers
Also make sure your daughter reads the book as well.
Socially, 10 is much easier to make the break than older. My 13 year old is getting into the moaning about 'friends' stage. Ugh.
cheers from Ruth, 4.5 of the last 5.5 years in China with lots of holidays around the region with two girls born in 91 and 94 and a husband too.
trusted partner
