Am I mad to think about moving to Spain

[jojo]

Originally Posted by emeraldspace

I take your point. My kids were of a younger age when we lived in Spain before so they would probably get bored of the pool now too! Its generally hard to get them outdoors anywhere & I guess I could be guilty of too much wishful thinking.... I can only say they made friends very easily in Spain & that has definitely not been the case in Ireland. What about yours - did they find it easier in Spain? On the school front, again we've had loads of problems - bullying, etc so I am under no illusion that schools are better elsewhere. Just hopeful! I sympathise re your daughter; my middle son left his existing school twice but discovered nothing better! I know people usually have positive experiences of international schools (including us) but unfortunately cannot afford this. So still researching all options. Thanks for your honest opinions, and for reminding me about the insects - my eldest son hates them !! I guess I have weird kids too..

I should apologise for my previous post, it was terribly negative wasnt it - sorry .

It all came to a head hear this afternoon regarding my daughter, school and spain. I think we´ve come to a decision that somehow I´m gonna have to find the money somehow to send her to the International school. Shes missing far too much education now, really isnt learning any spanish and is dreadfully unhappy. She´s nearly 12 and if this goes on much longer, she´s gonna leave school with nothing!

I think the reason she´s so unhappy is that she was really happy with her UK life and never wanted to leave it, my son on ther hand, didnt like life over there much and is just more suited to Spain... funnily enough the chidlren seem to mirror my husband and me. My husband doesnt like it much here either, but he commutes so he gets to be in the UK a lot, in fact last summer cos he doesnt like the heat, I hardly saw him

Jo xxx

[Tallulah]

Originally Posted by jojo

I should apologise for my previous post, it was terribly negative wasnt it - sorry .

It all came to a head hear this afternoon regarding my daughter, school and spain. I think we´ve come to a decision that somehow I´m gonna have to find the money somehow to send her to the International school. Shes missing far too much education now, really isnt learning any spanish and is dreadfully unhappy. She´s nearly 12 and if this goes on much longer, she´s gonna leave school with nothing!

I think the reason she´s so unhappy is that she was really happy with her UK life and never wanted to leave it, my son on ther hand, didnt like life over there much and is just more suited to Spain... funnily enough the chidlren seem to mirror my husband and me. My husband doesnt like it much here either, but he commutes so he gets to be in the UK a lot, in fact last summer cos he doesnt like the heat, I hardly saw him

Jo xxx

I really feel for you hun - you're in such a difficult situation and you probably feel like you're on your own, coping with all this. It must be so hard with hubby commuting - split lives. I really hope you get the situation sorted out for your daughter soon. Did you ever manage to meet with her teacher/head at the school she's in currently to try and come up with an action plan for her? I don't mean to pry, but I know that in our school there are teachers available to provide specialist one-on-one help and support for kids who might be struggling.

Tallulah.xx

[emeraldspace]

Don't worry - your post was fine - it sounds like you are having a tough time. I hope you can get things sorted. As I said, I have had & am still having school probs so I completely sympathise. It's so draining when your child is unhappy - either going into school or when they come home - even now I am dreading my son's return to Secondary after the easter break as he hates it. I appreciate your honesty as I recall these kind of probs were happening when we lived in Spain before. That's why I wondered if anyone out there has children who have settled into a State school & enjoy it? The situ with your husband not liking Spain much sounds incredibly familiar!!

[Tallulah]

Originally Posted by emeraldspace

Don't worry - your post was fine - it sounds like you are having a tough time. I hope you can get things sorted. As I said, I have had & am still having school probs so I completely sympathise. It's so draining when your child is unhappy - either going into school or when they come home - even now I am dreading my son's return to Secondary after the easter break as he hates it. I appreciate your honesty as I recall these kind of probs were happening when we lived in Spain before. That's why I wondered if anyone out there has children who have settled into a State school & enjoy it? The situ with your husband not liking Spain much sounds incredibly familiar!!

Yes, Emeraldspace, it can be a positive experience. Our three settled in very well - but (and I was chatting about this with Steve some time ago) they go to a state school where there are virtually no xpats - therefore they had to be thrown in at the deep end. They're now nearly 12 and 10 - completely fluent and doing really well. The only issue we have is the huge level of homework that one of them seems to bring home, but we are of the understanding that is to get each child up to the required level to go into ESO (Secondary) and then the Institute as they have found in the past that kids were unprepared for it.

Tallulah.

[emeraldspace]

Originally Posted by My_Name_is_Tallulah

Yes, Emeraldspace, it can be a positive experience. Our three settled in very well - but (and I was chatting about this with Steve some time ago) they go to a state school where there are virtually no xpats - therefore they had to be thrown in at the deep end. They're now nearly 12 and 10 - completely fluent and doing really well. The only issue we have is the huge level of homework that one of them seems to bring home, but we are of the understanding that is to get each child up to the required level to go into ESO (Secondary) and then the Institute as they have found in the past that kids were unprepared for it.

Tallulah.

Thanks for the feedback. Good to hear something positive for a change!