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!
My family moved to the US when I was 3. I’m not sure how it happened, but by the time I was 5, I was more fluent in English than my native language. I’m very grateful now for the experience because being bilingual opens the world in so many ways.
I know a few people who immigrated to another country when they were pre-elementary school and they all were fluent within a couple of years. Kids that age seem to soak up languages without even trying.
I’m sure she is having a hard time right now, but I think she will be fine in a year or so.