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Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by Kiwilass
(Post 9027323)
Slightly OT but one of my albertan friends has a 6 year old who is currently getting around an hour and a half of homework per night.
6 years old. I'm sure it depends on the school though. |
Re: Serious about going back
I have never heard of such things.
Our kids go to a regular school. Of course, being English it goes without saying that they are top of their class. :p One wonders if it is the school they are at. Did you choose to put them into a school that guarantees to turn all its students into rocket scientists. My 7 year old is told to read each night that's about it. Our 10 year old gets the odd piece of homework but nothing that keeps her from staying out most evenings. Time to change school me thinks;) |
Re: Serious about going back
I would agree with other posts that 5 months may seem hardly enough time to get your self into a new way of thinking and life. One of my boys was depressed for a short while when we got here, but we were very supportive ( I am NOT saying that you are not) and he now is enjoying school and socialising a lot more now. We had taken them away from everything they knew and that was a culture shock in itself.
On the other hand, some friends of ours moved back to the UK after 6 months in Nova Scotia and have never been happier about moving back. I think it;s a decision that you need to go over carfeully, make sure it's not a knee jerk reaction to feeling home sick (?). Though having read your last post, it seems that your mind is made up no matter what other posts might say. Ultlimately, it is your families decision. |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by Almost Canadian
(Post 9027389)
I have never heard of such things.
Our kids go to a regular school. Of course, being English it goes without saying that they are top of their class. :p One wonders if it is the school they are at. Did you choose to put them into a school that guarantees to turn all its students into rocket scientists. My 7 year old is told to read each night that's about it. Our 10 year old gets the odd piece of homework but nothing that keeps her from staying out most evenings. Time to change school me thinks;) Ironically my friend is also a teacher and doesn't agree with the amount of homework. They don't make her do it. She suspects, as apparently the school is in a more wealthy area, that the homework comes out of the need to meet parental expectations not from the beliefs of the teachers. But yeah, not a fan. |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by taichiiqueen
(Post 9026890)
Only been here for 5 months, and now even OH is fed up.
Have tried to stick it out and realise lifestyle is better but... 12 yr old is getting depressed,at least 3 pieces of homework every night, children don't do anything apart from extra curricular activities they never hang out, trying to mix with locals and just get empty gestures of we will have to..., was promised lots of support and help from OH company- it never happened I ended up doing most of it, still waiting for my certificates to be assessed so I can get a job, OH hasnt been warm for 2 months - he hates the cold. BUT do we go back to the doom and gloom of UK rising taxes general lethargy ARRRGGHH!!!!!!!!! Rock and a hard place. Some general advise would be appreciated.We have had this down before, but it doesn't seem to get any easier.Is it worth it????:unsure: |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by Almost Canadian
(Post 9027389)
I have never heard of such things.
Our kids go to a regular school. Of course, being English it goes without saying that they are top of their class. :p One wonders if it is the school they are at. Did you choose to put them into a school that guarantees to turn all its students into rocket scientists. My 7 year old is told to read each night that's about it. Our 10 year old gets the odd piece of homework but nothing that keeps her from staying out most evenings. Time to change school me thinks;) |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by taichiiqueen
(Post 9027455)
They didn't tell us they would guarantee, but have since found out that 80% + is what they expect, otherwise they advise doing the grade again.Yes its in a wealthy area, and not bothered about parents expectations,Im bothered about my sons sanity.
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Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by taichiiqueen
(Post 9027328)
My sentiments exactly, kids need to be kids, and that's what he used to do in the UK.He never goes out here, and I think he is depressed.There aren't any children to be seen anywhere, only in their homes doing homework or getting ferried to a club.Even the local skate rink is empty.He told me that kids get grounded if they happen to do a little badly at school or the Teacher complains there work was late etc.Not my idea of raising children.:thumbsup:
Anyway I think we are going to go home, my son needs an outdoor environment and friends to be with.Thank you for all your support I honestly think that it is too early to make a decision. For me, I wouldnt want to remove my kids from Canada with doubts - at least until they have rights to return and live here when they are older (ie Citizenship). At least if they have the realisation when they are old enough to appreciate the move that they wished they could have tried it longer, they have that opportunity to return. This is just me talking about how I feel - even on my darkest days where I miss people so much, I couldnt turn back now. It sounds like you have made your decision though and not sure that it could be changed! Good luck with whatever you decide. |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by taichiiqueen
(Post 9026890)
Only been here for 5 months, and now even OH is fed up.
Have tried to stick it out and realise lifestyle is better but... 12 yr old is getting depressed,at least 3 pieces of homework every night, children don't do anything apart from extra curricular activities they never hang out, trying to mix with locals and just get empty gestures of we will have to..., was promised lots of support and help from OH company- it never happened I ended up doing most of it, still waiting for my certificates to be assessed so I can get a job, OH hasnt been warm for 2 months - he hates the cold. BUT do we go back to the doom and gloom of UK rising taxes general lethargy ARRRGGHH!!!!!!!!! Rock and a hard place. Some general advise would be appreciated.We have had this down before, but it doesn't seem to get any easier.Is it worth it????:unsure: |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by taichiiqueen
(Post 9027455)
They didn't tell us they would guarantee, but have since found out that 80% + is what they expect, otherwise they advise doing the grade again.Yes its in a wealthy area, and not bothered about parents expectations,Im bothered about my sons sanity.
I can't for the life me think of a public school i.e Edmonton Public School Board saying that if you get less than an 80% in a grade you should repeat. It just doesn't happen. Perhaps your son would be happier in a public school setting. |
Re: Serious about going back
We live in St Albert and love it,been here 2 1/2 yrs now. We looked at all the areas around and found st albert to be the most family friendly, our 4yr old has a busier social life than we do!!
He is always having party invites, play dates ect, halloween night we went out with another family trick or treating, his fun came from ringing the bell, wearing the costume and having fun with the 60 plus other children out that night, (He only covered three streets) As for things to do, we find there are so many events gong on we do not have time to do them all, St albert is great and being only 10 min's away from Edmonton and all that has to offer means we can pick the best from each area. We are due a return trip back to the uk next year, as my wife will be off work we have talked about her going back for a month and i join her later for a few weeks, the thing that puts her off is just how will she keep a 4yr old entertained when back for so long without breaking the bank. here we have clean parks to play in and have picnics, lots of free events to attend, yet back in the uk we will have one park with broken equipment, dog mess and dirty pavements everywhere, no swimming pool as the uk council could not afford to run it anymore, expensive public transit, (not free like it is at weekends in st albert in the summer) This summer in the st albert/edmonton area the weather has not been the best it can be (still much less rain than uk) yes winters can be cold but really, your house is warm, you can pre heat your car so it is warm when you get in, you can pick up your coffee from inside your warm car, underground parking is warm, pedways linking one shopping area to another are warm, public transit stop links to public buildings are enclosed and warm and if you go out to play in the snow you can wrap up warm so being cold is more a option you can choose rather than have forced on you. Stick it out, you are in an area of canada most people would gives their right arm for, you have gone through a lot to make it here, thousands never even get their paperwork sorted to move to canada let alone make the big move, you are living in a sought after country in a sought after area, you have a family around you, your health, some work and you have a good educational background, you have so much going for you, the only thing holding you back is yourself. Give Canada a chance and Canada will take a chance on you. and if you are ever stuck about what to talk about to a canadian, ask them about coronation street, crazy canuks can not get enough of it, go figure |
Re: Serious about going back
I think if it were me I would look into changing schools and possibly moving to a different area in St Albert - it appears that your child is possibly struggling with the french immersion and may be better off in a normal school.
Being in a different school environment could make such a difference, s/he may even enjoy Canada then! Have you considered trying to find a different area to live (in St Albert) - one where people are friendlier and more welcoming? "Upmarket / wealthy" areas are all well and good but sometimes going somewhere where people are more down-to-earth can make a heap of difference. As there are other people in the forum from that area, why not get in touch and do some research to see if this is feasible? It is hard starting over for both parents and children, but please try an alternative before going back - Canada is a wonderful place for children and offers so much potential. Take care... :) |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by Nikki Ian
(Post 9027837)
We live in St Albert and love it,been here 2 1/2 yrs now. We looked at all the areas around and found st albert to be the most family friendly, our 4yr old has a busier social life than we do!!
He is always having party invites, play dates ect, halloween night we went out with another family trick or treating, his fun came from ringing the bell, wearing the costume and having fun with the 60 plus other children out that night, (He only covered three streets) As for things to do, we find there are so many events gong on we do not have time to do them all, St albert is great and being only 10 min's away from Edmonton and all that has to offer means we can pick the best from each area. We are due a return trip back to the uk next year, as my wife will be off work we have talked about her going back for a month and i join her later for a few weeks, the thing that puts her off is just how will she keep a 4yr old entertained when back for so long without breaking the bank. here we have clean parks to play in and have picnics, lots of free events to attend, yet back in the uk we will have one park with broken equipment, dog mess and dirty pavements everywhere, no swimming pool as the uk council could not afford to run it anymore, expensive public transit, (not free like it is at weekends in st albert in the summer) This summer in the st albert/edmonton area the weather has not been the best it can be (still much less rain than uk) yes winters can be cold but really, your house is warm, you can pre heat your car so it is warm when you get in, you can pick up your coffee from inside your warm car, underground parking is warm, pedways linking one shopping area to another are warm, public transit stop links to public buildings are enclosed and warm and if you go out to play in the snow you can wrap up warm so being cold is more a option you can choose rather than have forced on you. Stick it out, you are in an area of canada most people would gives their right arm for, you have gone through a lot to make it here, thousands never even get their paperwork sorted to move to canada let alone make the big move, you are living in a sought after country in a sought after area, you have a family around you, your health, some work and you have a good educational background, you have so much going for you, the only thing holding you back is yourself. Give Canada a chance and Canada will take a chance on you. and if you are ever stuck about what to talk about to a canadian, ask them about coronation street, crazy canuks can not get enough of it, go figure I'm not used to small parks and lots of roads with overkill of activities and no children playing out.I come from a small village right on the beach with the moors in the background.That's what my son is missing, not that he doesn't want to do activities he has three each week, but he misses playing out with friends.Children seem very guided here, and I don't want that, nor for that matter does he. I'm not upset, in fact its made me realise what a great place we had in the UK,guess we didn't appreciate it enough.There was no choice in coming here, OH work is here, so we cant move, only back home. BUT each to their own, I just want my son to have a childhood.Not to be drowned in homework and activities:thumbsup:. |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by siouxie
(Post 9028636)
I think if it were me I would look into changing schools and possibly moving to a different area in St Albert - it appears that your child is possibly struggling with the french immersion and may be better off in a normal school.
Being in a different school environment could make such a difference, s/he may even enjoy Canada then! Have you considered trying to find a different area to live (in St Albert) - one where people are friendlier and more welcoming? "Upmarket / wealthy" areas are all well and good but sometimes going somewhere where people are more down-to-earth can make a heap of difference. As there are other people in the forum from that area, why not get in touch and do some research to see if this is feasible? It is hard starting over for both parents and children, but please try an alternative before going back - Canada is a wonderful place for children and offers so much potential. Take care... :) There is no French in the school, in fact they don't do Languages or RE. I'm a Teacher, and not catering for different levels,even in one class, tells me this system is seriously lacking.I don't know where the rest of the world get the impression from that Canada has a fantastic eduction system(even the states are above them).Anyway I digress, my child's emotional health and happiness are more important than anything else.It really does get to you when you see a happy go lucky child with a brilliant sense of humour, then one day the lights gone,NOT GOOD. I do appreciate all the help and advise, but in our circumstances things wont change.We don't fit in here. |
Re: Serious about going back
Originally Posted by Nikki Ian
(Post 9027837)
being cold is more a option you can choose rather than have forced on you.
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