Merry

Two of our three children are very homesick right now . We moved in Jan this year and so far we thought things were going very well. All the children seem to have settled well into school, made friends, etc. The nine year old wasn't initially keen to come over and probably has kept himself to himself more but he is certainly popular amongst his classmates. The twelve year old was eager to come and has made lots of friends, enjoyed summer camps and never - until this week - shown any signs of being unhappy. We never expected everything here to be perfect and our decisions are more long term ones than the children can be aware of but has anyone else experienced this? We just want to be able to help both children (fortunately no.3 hasn't picked up on any of this yet!) through this time. Both my parents and OH's mother have visited and I think part of this stems from the thought that they do not have a definite time when they will see them again although we have plenty of Skype calls, etc. Any ideas???

Alberta_Rose

The grandparents visit may have upset them, but maybe cos it's the start of the school year too??

Perhaps once the semester gets going they will be busy more with their new friends and England will fade somewhat.

Piff Poff

I can't offer any real advice apart from keeping a close eye on the situation, last year was a particularly bad year for my daughter, who is now on a mild antidepressant, I strongly believe that one of the reason is because she was more homesick than I realised.

The4BellsLondon

Also you have just hit the 10 months reality time of oh this isnt a holiday its life! keep an eye on them - enroll them in lots of stuff - can you fix date for a friend or family member to visit or for you to visit uk - so they have something tangible?

sheera67

[QUOTE=Alberta_Rose;8842147]The grandparents visit may have upset them, but maybe cos it's the start of the school year too??

Perhaps once the semester gets going they will be busy more with their new friends and England will fade somewhat

hepburn

Hi Merry,

I haven't been on here for a while, but we chatted a bit before we both moved out.

I notice that you are on Hammonds Plains, we are in Upper Tantallon, so very close!

My son (13) did have a wobbly time, he seemed to be settled and then after a couple of months wanted to go back. After a few chats with him, and encouraging him to attend a Youth Group, Soccer, and having his friends over for sleepovers etc, he seems to be settled again. It's hard for them, especially at this age. Keep talking and Im sure it will pass over again.

Lisa

Oink

I'm getting confused. If moving to another country is all for the kids and they're not happy and missing their family and friends back in the UK, what's it all about?

Ray7663

Alberta rose.
You should read posts fully before commenting. The worst thing since moving is all the English people assumeing your also English.

Oink

Let me make wild guess, you're from Scotland? Welcome to the forum by the way.

Merry

Maybe that's the problem - maybe we should have moved to England

Thanks everyone for their input and your comments are all probably spot on. I'm reassured anyway that other children have been through this and we're not alone. I'm sure part of all this is triggered by going back to school and the realisation that they really are staying here now, it's not just all a great holiday. I'm sure the 12 year old will quite quickly get over it but the 9 year old I can see moving back to Scotland as soon as he's old enough although what he doesn't realise is that things will not be the same as when he left, but I think he'll not be happy until he sees that for himself.

Hi Lisa - you're not far away at all, we're in Kingswood. Good to hear from you again - thanks.

nikki dreaming

Hi Merry

It is hard, I am sure our 7 yr old given the choice immediately would prob say he wanted to go back to the uk, but then he says he would miss the snow, we have been here 16 mths and to be honest its probably only since he has gone back to school this semester that he seems to be more settled,

It is easy as parent to underestimate the impact this can have on kids, but you are on top of it and aware, keep talking to your kids and like bells suggested, I think it has helped us this last year or so to have things in place re people visiting or things going on to help get them through the hard days.

hepburn

We are having a little get-together on Saturday if you would like to come? Just pm me if you fancy it! :0) Nikki is coming.

I think by the time your 9 year old is old enough to make that decision he may realise he has good opportunities here. If he did decide to go back to Scotland at least he will have the choice to live here or there.

Sally Redux

Good question

Alan2005

Yes, it's absolutely the worst possible thing that could happen. That alberta rose is a real piece of work. Giving friendly advice is one thing, but getting the OP's location wrong is beyond the pale - it's like wishing she had cancer or something.

fledermaus

I thought she was Welsh anyway.