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Hi,

It is often said that Australia is the best place to raise children. I wonder what makes Australia so - whether it is to do with its education system, more outdoor activities. What about increase in drug intake, alcoholism amongst teenagers? Are they of concern?

Tramps_mate

Are they a concern where you are now?

KJCherokee

Kids everywhere are guided by the example of their parents and their peers - if parents don't (or can't) guide their children in the right path (by example and teaching) then peer pressure will dominate. Kid's aspirations everywhere are moulded by their environment - internet, social media, school, television - and all that is the same here as in the UK and other western countries.

It's up to you.

Dreamy

Raising kids in Australia is pretty much like raising kids in any other first world country.

elice_in_oz

It's bloody hard work, it what it is!

moneypenny20

Only by people who don't know any better. ie those who have never lived here and somehow see a pretty sun in a pretty blue sky with a pretty golden beach and pretty turquoise water with pretty children smiling prettily and looking pretty healthy.

The word pretty now looks completely wrong.

Dreamy

Ahhh it's not so bad.


Did I really just say that?

Jan4kids

indeed Moneypenny 'pret-eee'

I think most of the raising comes down to the parents regardless of location............but I will say that I like the lack of label/fashion pressure and the amount of respect kids still seem to have here.

but then I'll throw in that your kids miss out by 'losing' your close family and support network, plus you might be working/commuting more.

As always it's a very subjective matter.

KJCherokee

When we first came here the girls were 5 and 3 (nearly 4) - so most of the first lot of friends we made were the parents of the children our kids palled up with at school/kindy. Knowing that your parents and your friend's parents spoke to each other regularly puts a definite dampener on unacceptable behaviour!

jad n rich

Same probs as anywhere else, kids also get the same hormone/moods/crap parents/teachers/homelife/bullying/peer pressure/addiction issues ... as anywhere else.

Its just one of those meaningless phrases, like best weather. Then you discover floods, extreme heat, extreme UV, drought..... Reality is its a terribly harsh climate but it wont stop the 'best weather' myth

quoll

Spot on! Nothing magical about it - as the others have said, bloody hard work just the same

steve_kelly_and_boys

have 3 boys aged 6 8 10 and i would say that we are better off here lifestyle wise with them

it may change as they get older but for now its all good

Crazy welsh

Been in Brisbane over 6yrs have children aged 9yrs & 14yrs. It's how you want it to be. Everywhere has its issues, faults ect we can only quide our kids in the right directions and give them the best advice. They make there own choices at times but not always good. Looking at uk standards I actually think the school expectations are a lot higher here. Im not sure if I remember when i was in school we had them?

sr71

Pros and cons of both places.

I have a 7 year and we are certainly missing the cultural aspects of the UK - Museums, historical sites, National Trust places, country walks, access to Europe etc. What value does all that have on a childs education and their imagination etc.

BadgeIsBack

We have 3 kids. To be honest, they are going great guns. We get a lot of compliments. They do a lot. To be honest, they do more than many kids I knew at the same age, in the UK: because we are semi-rural and less than an hour away from Melbourne they do get chances. It's very fashionable to damp down Australia and say it's all much of a muchness - I would say that if you get the right location - then Australia can be all what some people really come to expect...don't knock it...

(it goes without saying that there will be the same issues as anywhere).

It's all down to the parents, and the location and what is available to them.

I would say alot - however, do not underestimate what children in Australia have access to. My kids get a 2-3 month stay in 2 countries every 2 years and are bi-lingual (and spoilt) as a result. They also live semi-rural and have access to books, art - blah blah(!)