In a nutshell: I got a new job in a very beautiful European country and I have dragged my 2 kids under 5 with me. It’s been 6months and they’re still struggling with adapting to kindergarten and making friends. Not knowing the language is also a big barrier. My oldest just said to me that she feels very lonely in the kindergarten as she doesn’t know how to communicate with other kids. She terribly misses her friends from our hometown. The new teachers have no compassion, so they’re no help. I try with playdates, but it’s just so difficult to make sustainable relationships.

There are days that I feel very sorry for having to put them through this. I’m currently crying as it’s so hard to process all this. I’m a single mom, btw.

Any parent who has been /is in the same situation? Any adult who has moved to a new country when little? Please share your experiences. Im desperately looking fwd to hearing from you!

Thank you!

  • Matttthhhhhhhhhhh@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Is it France by any chance?

    I did that twice when my daughter was 3 and 6 and yes, it was very difficult for her at first. But each time after a few months, she started making friends and using the local language. It helped that her teachers were always benevolent and doing their best to help her adapt. After about a year, she was perfectly fluent in both languages and started making friends.

    So it’s perfectly normal for them to have a hard time, but if it keeps being a problem after a year, it may be worth investigating to know what’s wrong. Like their language proficiency (make sure they learn it asap). Or bullying at school, by kids and adults alike. I grew up in France and I can tell you bullying is a massive problem there.

    Also, socializing with parents at your kids’ schools is also important if you want to organize playdates imho. Not becoming friends, but at least be able to organize playdates and sometimes go out with the kids.