TEENAGERS-----Help

[jabba]

We are moving to Melbourne , I am going in 4 weekswe are taking 2 teenagers, my 14yr old with me and my 16 yr old with his Dad in August anyone have any bright ideas about increasing the 16yr olds enthusiasm, he really doesn't want to go!!!!!!!!Help

[CarterTucker]

Hi, We are hoping to emigrate too, although in the very early stages.

But thought i'd drop you a line as I have a 15 year old (16 in Dec) the way I am getting him positive is to pick up on all the things he enjoys here, ie: Skating, swimming, theme parks, family time (yeah, I know unusual for a teenager)! & really research them for the areas we are looking at moving to & make them sound great, I am telling him that the house we are moving to will (hopefully) be alot bigger than our house here, that he will have his own space, mayby even his own part of the house, (as they do have houses with seperate sections in Australia ive seen, great for older teens) with internet, to keep in touch with any family & friends back in the Uk. We will have a swimming pool, he can have a motorbike, etc etc, basically just giving him a real good life to look forward to, focus on the positives.


I hope this helps a little, you may have already tried all of the above, good luck anyway.

Kelly & Family.

[AnxiousMum]

Hi I too have a stressed child not wanting to go to Oz, we have only told him we are going to have a look at Melbourne next year and treat it as a holiday, that caused tears in itself. He is only 10 and knows we are thinking of going to live there. Just hope if we do he does adjust and doesnt rebel like you hear stories about!

[jabba]

Hey both and ty, I have tried the "lets research this" option lol but now its imminent he is getting more anti he has agreed to give it 12 months and see how he feels, otherwise he will even live with my mum he must be desperate lol as far as the 10 yr old goes I think researching the area and things to do would be brill for him
Will let you know how we get on
Cheers
Jacqui

[CarterTucker]

I think your son is being really mature by giving it a year, at least he is saying Ok, I know this is what you want as a family & im willing to give it a go & at his age, its a big step leaving behing all the friends that he knows & starting all over again (think back to when we were 16 years old, its tough enough anyway)!

So im gonna keep my fingers crossed for you all that in that year he will make lots of new friends, meet some cute Aussie beach babes enjoy the weather & hopefully have great fun & not look back to grey old blighty!

Do let me know how it all goes for you, I will be really interested. Kind Regards, Kelly.

[AnxiousMum]

Thanks for help

[oddball]

Noticed nobody has mentioned the chance of a better future , show them the advantages of change in that direction .

[CarterTucker]

Originally Posted by oddball

Noticed nobody has mentioned the chance of a better future , show them the advantages of change in that direction .

Hi,

I have obviously mentioned this to my son, this is one of our main reasons for wanting to move, we are hoping to better our childrens lives. The Uk seems to be getting worse & worse, crime is getting worse, the kids have nothing to do, its a viscious circle.

But im interested, are you speaking from experience?

Kind Regards, Kelly & Family.

[Worldwide Worker]

Hi

If I can add my pennies worth having travelled quite a bit with teenage children. They are amazingly resilient and adapt a lot faster than we adults do. My two moved around for a period of 10 years before going on to university.

Having lived in the UK for the past number of years all I can say is that thankfully I don't have to bring up children over here and I take my hat off to the parents that do as it appears to be very difficult.

From what I know of Australia and the lifestyle (being an ex southern hemisphere resident looking to go back) I am sure the children will love it in the end. They will suddenly find themselves with lots of space and more to do (along with the freedom to do it; if you allow them) than they have time for, especially if they are into sports and the like.

Australians are extremely friendly people, at least the ones I have worked with around the world, and I imagine the children are the same so they will make new friends very quickly. And through the internet they can maintain contact with old friends back home, but I think you will see that slowly changes.

Good luck and take care

[CarterTucker]

Hi, just wanted to say thankyou for your encouraging comments. My thoughts exactly.