[Merry]

Was just browsing through the site and realised it's two years ago today since we arrived in Nova Scotia

The time has flown by and we feel very settled here and I would never voluntarily go back to Scotland to live. The first year was tough financially - OH's employment wasn't what he was promised and I couldn't find work, but we got through it and this year has been much better. OH has much better work, I'm working and my prospects are now better than they would have been in Scotland.

The children are fairly settled - 13 yr old likes it here although has moments of missing her friends, 10 yr old would go back to Scotland tomorrow if he could but he's definitely more settled here than this time last year and the 6 yr old doesn't even remember that much from Scotland. From a parent's point of view the children are all much better off over here - they have had so many opportunities that just weren't available to them in the UK and I think it's true, children here do stay children longer.

Looking forward to a celebratory drink tonight and the start of Year 3.

[Zhanna]

Congratulations Merry, what a lovely story! Best wishes to you and your family! Hopefully, you've established a pattern and every year is going to be better than the previous one

[Lisahjah]

Thank you for a lovely report, can I ask your 10 year old, is there anything you could have done to make the move easier for him? I ask as we're hoping to move this summer and my eldest is eight, and very settled with friends here.
He's accepted we're moving, I don't think it will affect him till we've moved, are realised the differences.

[TheThornes]

Glad to hear its all working out and you're happy. My eldest was 7 when we moved over (she's 10 now) and, although she liked it from the start, she had moments where she missed the UK, mostly her friends although I think, sometimes, she said things for effect but now she's certainly happy here and even admits she prefers it here now. She does occasionally email a couple of her old UK friends but her life (as theirs) has moved on now and she has so many friends here now too that, to be honest, she's too busy to be missing her old life!

[MillieF]

Cheers! I hope you third year goes as well. Our 11 year old is really looking forward to coming (unlike me he likes the idea of snow) - what bits doesn't he like bearing in mind that the other kids do?

[Merry]

Thanks for the comments. As regards our 10 year old - I don't know that there's much else we could have done to prepare him. I brought him over here for a visit before we moved and he enjoyed it. I think it's more to do with his personality - he is naturally more shy (although he has really come out of his shell since living here), dislikes change and takes more time to settle. He very much likes to fit in, so doesn't like being different from his classmates. He does enjoy Canada, despite what he says, but he hasn't made as close friends as he had in Scotland. To some extent, luck plays a part - his class all seem to be very outgoing and super-confident. I think he would be much happier if he could make some close friends and I'm sure in time that will happen. He very much looks back at Scotland with rose-tinted glasses - it was not perfect by any means even for him. We haven't taken him back yet - partly I don't want him to be disappointed and partly I am nervous it might unsettle him. I'd be happy to hear other's experiences.

[Twitcher1958]

My 13 year old boy was born in Scotland and we moved to England after he finished P1. We then had 6 years in England and moved to Canada about 18 months ago.
He still looks back very fondly on his time in Scotland and talks about friends there far more than friends in England! Perhaps there's something about Scotland!
He too is a fairly quiet individual and not very sporty which I always feel has set him apart from lots of other boys who are sports mad! Moving here of course, everyone is hockey crazy and he has no inclination to get involved which did cause me some concern to start. However as they grow up, I think children do get less fixated on sport and start putting more energy into school activities etc so I think he's becoming less of an anomaly.
Since getting here, he seemed far happier in school - I think having no uniform was a big factor! He still doesn't socialise a lot out of school but seems quite happy at home and spending time with family - perhaps we should count our blessings? And when the time is right, he'll spread his wings more - he says he enjoys school and whenever I see him in school with others, he seems happy and included.
The British accent got him a lot of attention to start with, but the friends he had in the early days have moved on - I think they were more the confident types who first approached him - and now he has a different circle of friends, probably ones more like him and not so outgoing.
To those who have children and are looking to move here, there are so many variables that it is difficult to offer concrete advice - I have found the school and people in the area we live very welcoming but I accept it's not the same everywhere. A different accent attracts attention, good and bad, but we have to accept that we new ones moving in have to make the effort to get accepted - people around you have their lives and routines and don't necessarily need/want new friends.
My son isn't sporty but we have encouraged him to focus on the music opportunities he has and that has been a real benefit - he started playing the baritone horn when we moved here and now plays in two school bands and wants to continue at high school.
His school also has a scheme for the older children to win points in 4 different areas such as volunteering, academic - it's seen as quite a prestigous achievement and he is a child who thrives on that type of encouragement and is very enthusiastic about it.
Early on I heard the comment here that Canadian schools have a different approach - there is more emphasis on a rounded individual and perhaps a bit less on straight academic achievement, certainly at public school level. I think this has really helped my son, although he is quite an academic child, as it has been slightly more relaxed and perhaps focused on team work and effort more.
My advice would to be take full advantage of the opportunities available and never say no to an invitation! (within reason!).

[Lisahjah]

Thank you for your advice. My eldest son is the one I feel will be most uncertain at fitting in. He's never been fast at making friend and can be quite shy. I'm hoping the fact he's looking forward to moving and very much into sports, will help him adjust.

[Merry]

Twitcher our sons seem very similar - perhaps as mine gets a bit older it will improve. Like I say, he's not unhappy and certainly gets invited to playdates and parties, but he's not terribly sporty either. He took up cornet a year ago and now plays in a brass ensemble, so as time goes on hopefully he'll make more friends with similar interests. You're right, we should be thankful he's happy spending more time at home while that's still the case - thanks so much for your comments.

[nwtrucker]

Really interesting and quite uplifting thread as we're just waiting for nomination to Sask. at the moment, with 2 young boys aged 3 & 8. The youngest wont know any different but the eldest we're obviously a little more concerned for. He'll be fine I'm sure as he's fairly outgoing and makes friends easily but it's still such a life changing thing!
Just a word of encouragement on your son playing the cornet, I played to quite a high level until recently and music is an avenue that opens so many doors, opportunities and friendships, I hope he keeps it up!
In the meantime, I wish the Sask govt would pull their fingers out and get us nominated asap lol.

[Poppit]

Glad to hear you are enjoying life in Canada. We have been here almost 19 months and are very happy. Our youngest son 25 now, came out last April, left everything behind in the Uk, and wouldn't go back through choice. He's happy here, has a great job that he enjoys and has far more opportunities available to him here.

I am sure that as time goes on your son will become more accustomed to Canada and eventually prefer his new country. It's great to hear success stories like yours.

Goodluck for the future!

Poppit

[Elizabeth I]

Originally Posted by Merry Was just browsing through the site and realised it's two years ago today since we arrived in Nova Scotia The time has flown by and we feel very settled here and I would never voluntarily go back to Scotland to live. The first year was tough financially - OH's employment wasn't what he was promised and I couldn't find work, but we got through it and this year has been much better. OH has much better work, I'm working and my prospects are now better than they would have been in Scotland. The children are fairly settled - 13 yr old likes it here although has moments of missing her friends, 10 yr old would go back to Scotland tomorrow if he could but he's definitely more settled here than this time last year and the 6 yr old doesn't even remember that much from Scotland. From a parent's point of view the children are all much better off over here - they have had so many opportunities that just weren't available to them in the UK and I think it's true, children here do stay children longer. Looking forward to a celebratory drink tonight and the start of Year 3.

Lovely, and congratulations.