lisajane

i wonder if anyone else has had the same problem. we moved to the USA just under a year ago. the kids started school after spring break and then had the long summer school hols off. they properly started school september 2008, my 4th grader is now suffering. in england they would have had at least 4 weeks school hols so far, over here its been 10 days with a few odd days here and there. She's very tearful all the time and just seems exhausted. Has anyone else had the same problem?

crg

Maybe it's stress. If she's tearful and complains about not enough school holidays, maybe she's not getting along well at school. Have you talked to the teacher to see if anything is going on at school and to see if she's making friends?

robskatie

The school schedule here is much more demanding than in England and they have a lot of work to get through in a certain period of time. I always try to make sure we don't have too much going on in the evenings and weekends, my girls all go to bed fairly early (7.30 to read, lights off by 8pm) if they don't they really suffer.
When they are having a hard time I always find some Mom and daughter time really helps

keira-2007

It certainly does take some adjusting to. Especially the term between summer and Xmas. They don't have half terms here, they just have odd days here and there which isn't the same as a weeks break.
My daughter finds the amount of homework pretty hefty but seems to cope okay with the term times.
Give it a few more months, I'm sure your daughter will get used to it, and then forget England ever existed!

lisajane

i'm looking forward to next year when she doesnt have to get the bus so early

Elvira

But are they learning more...

YoungSteve17

Yes when i moved here into 7th grade i quickly noticed how few days i had off.
No half terms, Bank holidays or none of that. The summer holiday is longer though

dbj1000

We had the same experience when we first moved here... but they got used to it soon enough.

Now one of my 4th graders swims for 1.5 hours (~2 miles) in competitive swim practice 5 days a week after school and 2 hours on Saturday... then goes home and does her homework.

My other 4th grader has an easy life... she only has Aikido 3 days per week after school and tennis on Saturdays.

...and Girl Guides...

...and Destination Imagination...

They're not exhausted in the least. Can't say the same for my wife and I though!

Deedee13

dont know who ur kidding. Its not the kids I worry about its the adults.

I make sure my kids even at 15 and 16 are in bed at a decent hour. And i dont plan their days for them. I went to a parent thing years ago and they mentioned that kids dont climb trees anymore. Their lives are taken up with dance classes, music classes, sports, some organisation or another. So since then I got a wake up call. Its a long year, and in the summer we will all be moaning about when does school start again.

mommapudding

I'm working as a TA here, as I did back home, and the kids aren't the only ones exhausted, trust me. Many of my colleagues would prefer the year round system that's happening elsewhere around us. My 4th grader is shattered, and so glad it's nearly spring break.
I feel for you all in the same boat, it's a huge part of our adjustment, we arrived Aug '07 so I do wonder when/ if it'll become second nature.
Hugs to everyone, we've been in school over 130 days now, so not long left until summer.

robskatie

What time do they start school? My eldest 2 have to be out of the door by 6.25am to get the bus at 6.30.

AmerLisa

Who said anything about learning more? Except you, of course.....

robskatie

I have no problem with how much they are learning, my kids are all doing really well in school and besides, I would never criticize the teachers, I think they do a great job.

AmerLisa

The only criticism I have is testing..... It drives me bananas. But I agree with you, most of the teachers do a pretty good job, its not always easy.

robskatie

I always take my hat off to them, there is no way I could do what they do.