tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post5680986688349214095..comments2022-11-05T02:36:58.490-07:00Comments on Scribble Babble: Mommy Mondays: The Right ThingMara Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07372451891082436090noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-49713463792419101122013-05-21T03:00:03.530-07:002013-05-21T03:00:03.530-07:00I know there's no worse feeling than thinking ...I know there's no worse feeling than thinking your child's unhappy. But also remember for a child, there's always something or somewhere better. <br />My kids, who are older and have only lived in France, constantly tell me they hate it here and want to go to America (especially when it's colder here than it is in Russia, as is the case right now apparently). <br />The truth is, we can never entirely please our kids. I think we have to find a balance for what's right for us parents and right for the kids. You're in an extreme situation right now (and I agree if he really doesn't like preschool, you shouldn't feel pressured to send him. I know lots of kids who only had nannies till 3 or 4 and were perfectly happy). But the situation is temporary and hopefully you won't ever have to be in another post with so few anglophone kids. <br />I really believe the most important thing you can give him are two loving, fulfilled parents.<br />xxEExpatElizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05482845832803209398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-53978974311101937922013-05-20T11:16:03.855-07:002013-05-20T11:16:03.855-07:00Hello there. Nice sharing of your feelings. It doe...Hello there. Nice sharing of your feelings. It does my heart good that you care about your child and want the best for him even though I don't know you personally. Seeing or hearing about parents who love and nurture their children gives me hope for the future of the world. Just do your best to stay in tune with your child's feelings and base your decisions on what is best for your family as a whole. Then don't beat yourself up over that choice. If you find a change is needed later, you can make it.<br />Good luck and keep trying to be a good parent. Some days you can see the rewards and some days not, but overall you should know if you are headed in the right direction. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10625491941413125086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-42485580561176141032013-05-20T07:04:07.064-07:002013-05-20T07:04:07.064-07:00I'm sorry to hear you're feeling bad, and ...I'm sorry to hear you're feeling bad, and unsure. If it helps, I think all mothers everywhere worry about whether or not they're doing it 'right.' <br />No one knows your kid better than you. You'd know if he was truly unhappy. Do what you think is best for your whole family and try not to worry too much about it. :)Rachel Schieffelbeinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01629400142880123520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-15383643373788886022013-05-20T05:12:43.805-07:002013-05-20T05:12:43.805-07:00Mara, I am so sorry to hear things are going so ba...Mara, I am so sorry to hear things are going so badly for Jack. Here's a question: are you bringing him to preschool because you want him to experience the educational component, or just for something to do during the day, or something else? I'd say if none of the detsky sads are working out, you don't need to send him. I know my kids had such fabulous experiences with our nannies just exploring the city. If Jack is anything like Zoltan, you can eat up an entire day watching the metro trains and riding a bus, then a tramvai, then a marshrutka. <br /><br />Good luck!Lynnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17669307412041079623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-38682671986530665272013-05-20T04:48:49.076-07:002013-05-20T04:48:49.076-07:00Sorry to hear this. I do think kids are resilient,...Sorry to hear this. I do think kids are resilient, though, and if nothing else the experience is unique, and there's something to be said for that. <br /><br />Do you guys know where you're going next? We've had a better experience in Benin just in that the people are friendly, but the whole playground situation is similar -- there's just nothing to do outside of the house. Healthcare is bleak which terrifies us; luckily there have been no emergencies. There have been an influx of babies/toddlers in the expat community lately but for a long while we were the only ones. We've promised ourselves that never again when we have children living with us will we go to one of these small, remote posts. I'm hopeful that's a promise that's possible to keep, but time will tell. Of course, wherever we are, I still have to feel guilty about keeping him away from cousins, grandparents, etc...<br /><br />The expat life is an interesting one in a lot of ways, but certainly not without its challenges.alexhttp://www.travelorders.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-3278320097682081522013-05-20T04:48:48.435-07:002013-05-20T04:48:48.435-07:00Sorry to hear this. I do think kids are resilient,...Sorry to hear this. I do think kids are resilient, though, and if nothing else the experience is unique, and there's something to be said for that. <br /><br />Do you guys know where you're going next? We've had a better experience in Benin just in that the people are friendly, but the whole playground situation is similar -- there's just nothing to do outside of the house. Healthcare is bleak which terrifies us; luckily there have been no emergencies. There have been an influx of babies/toddlers in the expat community lately but for a long while we were the only ones. We've promised ourselves that never again when we have children living with us will we go to one of these small, remote posts. I'm hopeful that's a promise that's possible to keep, but time will tell. Of course, wherever we are, I still have to feel guilty about keeping him away from cousins, grandparents, etc...<br /><br />The expat life is an interesting one in a lot of ways, but certainly not without its challenges.alexhttp://www.travelorders.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516200136293375097.post-33602195160833114292013-05-20T03:13:34.091-07:002013-05-20T03:13:34.091-07:00Aw, I am sorry to hear this. It's hard trying...Aw, I am sorry to hear this. It's hard trying to know and do what's best for your child, and this lifestyle doesn't make it any easier. But I am sure Jack is happy because he has two parents that love him. I know it's tough though. Here's to hoping you guys get a very kid-friendly post next time. Hang in there :)L-S-Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12033840089050673537noreply@blogger.com