To think abroad will be easier?

[JacktomyDaniel]

Will try and keep this short! Suffered with MH all my life. 2 under 4 and a husband who (whilst coping!) also has MH issues. He works part time and is SAHD rest of week to avoid childcare costs. I work full time as a teacher which I love (kids) but hate (relentless pressure).
We own (mortgaged) an amazing 4 bed house in a nice area next to a reasonable school.
My mum thinks that it would make a considerable difference to MH to move somewhere where the pace of life is slower, the teaching is more about teaching and the weather is nice so that the kids can “live” outdoors (they are very outdoor kids!)
I need my Mum but appreciate the benefit of FaceTime etc.
I would be more comfortable somewhere mainland Europe but don’t know much about teacher there. How similar/different is it to the Scottish curriculum?
The “easiest” option would be Middle East with excellent relocation packages, weather, schools etc but it’s so far away and such a different culture. We do know people who have done this very, very successfully and appear to have an amazing lifestyle.
I don’t really know what I’m looking from this post? Just advice...good or bad and anyone who has done it.
Thanks.

Where does your mum live now? Is she suggesting you move further away from her? Charming! For me I would find relocating daunting with 2 young dc and both parents having mh issues. I would appreciate familiarity and stability

I think it's easy to sit here and look at moving abroad as an answer to your problems. However, I do feel that it would be a grass is greener situation. Right now you're close to family, have a routine which works, and although there are bits you'd like to change this is the case for everyone in life. There are a lot of people right now who would love to be in your situation, for them you're living their dream.

If you moved abroad you would get to enjoy some of the benefits, nice weather, being outdoors, but it often isn't how you expected it to be. Nice weather soon turns into too hot to go out, being outdoors doesn't happen as you're at work and the children will soon be at school.

I would think very carefully about making such a life changing decision, especially with both of you having mental health problems. You're a long way from your support network if things go wrong, and it doesn't work out as planned.

I am not a teacher, but my children have attended international schools for over 10 years. Some things to think about:

• class sizes are smaller than UK, but you may have to adapt to having a large number of EAL students in the class - look at the support the school gives you in this area
• primary school - classes tend to have a teacher and TA which is great
• less pressure with regard to paperwork and compulsory testing, but parents can be demanding
• teachers often need to be involved in clubs, activities and sports trips -
• look at the whole package - what does it include? Medical, dental, language lesson, utilities, rent, flight home? you may have a higher salary, but no pension provision. You may also want to make voluntary NI contributions back in the UK.

clearly, these are just observations from my experience. I have lived overseas for nearly 25 years and sometimes life is same shit, different bucket.

Removing yourself from a support network is not a great idea for anyone with mental ill-health. Facetime isn't great for making cups of tea, giving a hug, just sitting with you when you need not to be alone.

The “easiest” option would be Middle East with excellent relocation packages, weather, schools etc

Weather? I will confess I don't like heat but even people who do find some parts of the ME unbearable at times - you rely on an air-conditioned world. Kids will need sunscreen at all times. Is that really better or just a different set of hassle?