Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

Not that you're generalising of course.;)

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

I'm saying that there are parts of the country that don't match her picture. My secondary objection is to the idea that, Liverpool, for example, was ever a respectable place to live. Having been born there, one may as well move to New Jersey.

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

Granted. But you still dismissed "the North" as a place to leave.

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

Hiya everyone,

this too was our last christmas here and I know what you mean Tiny about bittersweet. If anyone mentioned Canada, we tried to steer away from it so the family day would not be hijacked by our move but it was so difficult.
My eldest son is staying here too and his partner is expecting our first granchild in April, (conceived after our plans to defo go) so this is a real heart wrench for me. But they have said they will hopefully follow us when they can.
I think we all have to hold on to the real reasons we decided on the move and keep strong, knowing it really is for the best.
It will be difficult for some for a variety of reasons but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Best wishes to you all

Tina

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

"I always assume posters live in reasonable parts of England."

I do! As I don't live in Birmingham! I assumed all posters didn't generalise as you just did.

Because, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't you the one who claimed it was wrong to generalise in an earlier post? ;)

Another tip. Never assume anything, it's the mother of all cock-ups. Personally, I think a trip around an inner city area would do you the world of good, because I think anyone that can compare "The River Cottage Meat Book" to a real life situation, really lives in a "Mills & Boon world!"

Y

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

Hear, hear! :)

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

I love the partisanship of such conversations - everywhere is ok apart from "where I live" or the compete opposite that "nowhere is a s good as my hometown/place of birth/current abode" its human nature.

Back to the original theme of this thread - I'm going through the "final Christmas" stuff. Will be selling up in SPring and hopefully heading west in the Summer. I'm nothing if not ambitious, but I am regularly checking the job front and seeing if anyone will consider me before I arrive . the odds must go in my favour if I apply for enough. I just hope I can flog the house for something half reasonable as I don't want to rent it out - I'd love to start with the clean slate/blank book or whatever and as long CHC plays ball that's what I hope for :D

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

I love my country, I truley do, but what every one is saying on this thread is relevant, I have just been to my in-laws with all the family gathered round, I look at my hubbys 12 year old niece, my 15 year old stepson, and their drinking full blown alcohol!! and no one is batting an eye!! They truly do not realise that they are a) BREAKING THE LAW!! and b) nuturing their children into the DRINKING CULTURE that the UK is now well known for!!

Of course my husband got my true thoughts when we got home as his son was drinking too! I can not wait to leave this country because it dawned on me last night that even members of my family are contributing to the teenage drink culture which is a huge part of why our society is struggling today!! anyway Canada awaits me thank you lord, I feel that I am saving my kids and for that I am proud.

YES with gods will this will be our last christmas in the UK wish us luck

Merry Christmas

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

I have to ask Jackie why didn't you say about the drinking ?

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

Theres can't be the best as mine is ;)
Hope you manage to sell, what do you do ribtickle ?

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

Good for you Jackie! I'm convinced that's the reason Canada doesn't have half the drink related problems we have here, due to the fact that there's not a pub on every street corner!

I mean, we in the UK even give directions by them!

Go up the road when you get to the "Red lion" turn left, then turn right at the "The Swan" and you're there - at "The Bulls Head" ;)

I have to say though, at that age, your Hubby should be detering this.. Not sitting and watching them! Sorry to be so blunt! But........ Wow!

Y

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

[QUOTE=jackiewalters;7101275]I love my country, I truley do, but what every one is saying on this thread is relevant, I have just been to my in-laws with all the family gathered round, I look at my hubbys 12 year old niece, my 15 year old stepson, and their drinking full blown alcohol!! and no one is batting an eye!! They truly do not realise that they are a) BREAKING THE LAW!! and b) nuturing their children into the DRINKING CULTURE that the UK is now well known for!!


Hi
I agree that giving children alcohol willy nilly is no good thing, since ours were 14 or so we "allowed" them a small glass of wine with a meal if they wished. Most of the time they declined.
I now have two grown up sons who have never been drunk or binged.
Some of my friends would never allow this and some, not all, of these children, now as adults regularly arrive home drunk with the usual nuisances that brings. I think it is guidance that makes the difference.
But if you come from a background where alcohol is the norm, then kids think its ok to drink anytime.

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

[QUOTE=albertabound;7101380]I agree Alberta, friends of ours used to frown if we offered our children wine at 15! Now they just enjoy a glass with meals etc.. and as you say take it or leave it.

Whereas our friends, who looked at us as if we'd gone mad at the time. Have to put up with their son going out, and not happy unless he's got 8 pints of Stella inside him!

Then there's the daughter, well I'll leave it there! ;)

Y

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

Funnily enough we were talking about this last night with friends of ours who have two much older sons. We were all allowing the kids to have A SIP of our after dinner liquor and so drink really isn't an issue, and she was saying exactly the same about her older children too, that because they were allowed a taste when they were younger they too have never felt the need to go out and get pissed as alcohol was no big deal at all.

The problem isn't a taste of alcohol in a controlled manner with responsible adults around, to my mind it is the fact that kids can walk into the supermarkets and pick up a 20 pack for £20 - split between four of them then that is a lot of booze for 14/15 year olds to drink for just a fiver, especially when combined with the fact that they have no where to go and drink it so end up standing on a street corner!

I'm not against drinking per se, I'm against the binge drinking that takes place here. That is another reason we want to go - our eldest is just two and a half years younger than I was when I first started going around town at night but I just don't want her to do it here, and I feel as if I'm holding her back. We won't go into town at night and there is just no way I want a young girl going there.

Re: Bittersweet Christmas
 

Cheap booze does have alot to answer for! But I also think each family has their own methods when it comes to introducing them to drink.

I found ours worked for us, but may not work for others.. Its their call really!

I also think your children see the effects of drink on their parents and their social arena so-to-speak!

I think if they see it as a toast, or an occassion, or just generally socialising, in a sensible manner then they'd be fine.

However, if their social background and arena consists of Dad pee'd up every night of the week, and booze is seen as the answer to every day life.

Then I think it's fair to say, you can expect his off-spring to think and do the same!

"Cus I wannabe lik dad - e can drinnnnnk 10 points end huh stil drive ya know"

Y