| Author |
Message |
shning
Newbie
Joined: Oct 17, 2007
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
|
 Posted:
Dec 23, 2007 - 01:30 AM |
 
|
| Post subject: Seeking suggestion: Repatriating to the states |
Hi,
After spending a few years living in China, we are moving again - back to
the states. Our biggest concern is child care and education - our 3-year-
old now goes to a kindergarten here and he only speaks Chinese (and a
few English words). When we move back, language would be a big
problem for him. What can we do to help him adjust to the new environ-
ment? Also, without Ayi's in China, how do people in the states manage to
take care of kids while both parents work full-time?
Waiting for your advice ... |
|
|
|
|
Renovator
FooJay
Joined: Apr 18, 2007
Posts: 1634
Location: Century Park & MA,USA
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Dec 23, 2007 - 07:13 AM |
|
|
When both parents work in the US, taking care of kids depends on the family situation. Beyond direct parental care when parents are at home, a combination of help from relatives such as parents and grand parents as well as the use of professional child care centers and baby sitters.
Your 3 year old will probably pick up English fluency within just a few weeks. A 3 year old brain is like a sponge for learning and I am sure you will be amazed at how fast your child fully integrates with other playmates.
You just want to monitor the situation closely because children can bully or be mean spirited to children that are different and your child will be considered different until English is mastered. If any problem, just talk it out with the parent of the problem child and all should be fine. |
|
|
 |
|
Adrienne
FooJay
Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: 1708
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Dec 23, 2007 - 09:31 AM |
|
|
As renovator mentioend, most couples who work would put their child in pre-school or child care in their area of residence or close to work.
Some people do employ cleaners for housecleaning and the like but it depend on the couple and their situation and needs. I think homes don't get as dirty as the environement and air quality is better. I also find that it doesn't take as long for things to happen back home so I can spend more time on the house ie. ques in the supermarekt aren't as long, I'm never stuck in rush hour traffic on a saturday afternoon, people understand what I am talking about so I don't need to spend time on translations, I dont need to travel haf way across town to find a cooking ingredient, good drycleaner etc, etc,etc.
I would strongly advise you to read as much as you can on repatriation as it can be a difficult time for people. One thing is to start catching up on the news and current affairs back home so that you know what people are talking about at bbq's and dinner parties. As many people are understandibly focused on these things, you want to be able to fit back in and not sound like you have been "living on Mars" for the past few years.
Good luck with it all.
Adrienne
http://www.shanghaiprops.com |
|
|
|
|
|
sbergman
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 2449
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Dec 23, 2007 - 10:23 AM |
|
|
shning,
Do you know where you'll be in the States? The parenting culture can be very different depending on where you are. In cities like New York and LA, it's very common for people to have nannies. In other parts of the country it's almost non-existent, and people depend more on preschools. Also, in the last couple years Chinese language instruction hsa become very popular. In some places like San Francisco and Boston you may be able to find bilingual preschools.
Adrienne is definitely right that everything takes less time there and nothing ever gets as dirty as it does here. My one piece of advice would be to only buy/rent as much space as you really need. People easily get seduced into living in more square footage than they need and every square foot is one more square foot that needs to be taken care of. |
|
|
|
|
|
emerson
Rocker
Joined: May 11, 2007
Posts: 684
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Dec 25, 2007 - 10:39 AM |
|
|
I had friends in Taiwan with the same problem and concerns. Prior to returning to the US they purchased a load of VCR tapes (dating myself here) including Sesame Street, Barney, Looney Tunes, etc. The kids took to the tapes right away and, as far as I know, had no problem adjusting once they got back. |
_________________
Depth perception: the difference between brown nosing and kissing *ss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Forum FAQ
Search
Preferences
Watched Topics
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
