To feel sad that my Dd will not really know what it’s like to be British

[Nochristmasvibesasofyet]

We live abroad, Dh and I both British, Dd is 6 and was born where we live. We have been ‘Back home’ a couple of times for short holidays, but mainly everyone comes to us.
Ive started to feel sad recently that she won’t experience a British childhood/upbringing, unless we move in the next few years-will it be too late then?
How important is it that we try to keep her informed of her heritage (if that’s the right word!)

Yet, I bet you won't leave.

Also, it's NOT cold wet and grim. And if you think any other country isn't 'divided' in any way (presumably you mean politically) then you are deluded.

I get on with anyone and everyone, young and old and in between, and any class, religion, or culture. Even people with different views, and whose political views don't match mine. I can spot who is intolerant of other people who have different views and opinions and political leanings on this board a MILE off.

Why the eye roll? It's perfectly true, despite what all the Little Englanders would have you believe. I'm not saying that anywhere is without problems, but we are on the slide for sure. No amount of conkers will make up for that.

where would you rather live? And why?

The fact you even use ‘Little Englanders’ as a slur, like being an average hardworking family person living in ordinary area somehow makes you petty and bourgeois, is absolutely pathetic.

If our country is so awful why do we have record levels of immigration with millions clamouring to get in, even risking their lives to do so?

Because it's better than war torn places and 3 Rd world. Not necessarily so compared to other first world countries

Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and probably various others as well. I am actually working on leaving.

What a silly post.

What a pointless reply.

Is France not better?

Not a clue on France for those who go through official channels to emigrate. But I think they are less accepting of people who arrive without jobs/ income etc than the uk

Great!

The sooner the better…. Enjoy 👋 Do let us know how wonderful it all is.

The fewer with your attitude here, the better.

It seems weird to choose to live somewhere else but want your daughter to knows what it’s like to be “British”. If it’s that important to you, why did you move abroad?

My children are a year or two older than yours and only have one English parent but they have a very strong English identity. They also have a strong local identity, one doesn’t diminish the other. Swerving the UK school system and its exam focus seems like a positive to me, as school is much nicer here, and most other things you can pass on yourself. What has helped a lot is that I am very close to my primary school friends and they have children the same age, so they slot quickly into an English environment with them when we visit. I also cook a lot with them so they are learning a variety of dishes.
I have three nationalities myself and have only really been able to pass on one, but one is doable I think.
Can you look for international schools where you are? There are some entirely British ones near us. Also making British friends with children may help you.

I feel the same, op. It's something I really struggle with even though my kids won't know any different. I'm British, husband is German and we're in Germany with two DC.

I try to go back as often as I can but dc1 will be school age soon and it'll get more expensive and more difficult to go back for longer periods. Sometimes I debate moving back too but it's hard with Brexit and my DC have a good standard of living. Miss my family though and also want them to grow up around family so that's hard too.

Yes, all you'll be left with are Reform voters and the unemployable.

France receives more asylum applications than the UK. They also have a higher number of granted applications. So yes.

I wouldn't return to the UK, OP. Your child will have a different childhood experience to you, wherever you live; even if you return to the UK. I think some of your posts sound a bit nostalgic rather than realistic.

As both an immigrant and the child of an immigrant, I think the main difference may be that, depending on how often you visit the UK/raise her to be British, she may one day feel that she simultaneously belongs to both countries and neither. It's not necessarily a bad thing - I can't say it's disturbed me in any way, but I am aware that I do not truly belong in any of the countries that are 'mine'.

I am not a reform voter and don’t agree with the EDL types on here getting all frothy that others want to leave the UK. But I still quite like living here. Don’t leave me alone with them. ;-)

😆

I’m from another country. My children were born here and grew up.

you can bring them home on various holidays you’d like them to experience those portions of British custom you’d like them to know.

in your home country, you can cook British food, celebrate British holidays and their customs. Introduce them to British tv shows that are age appropriate for them. Listen to British music or just generally the music you grew up listening to. Share your growing up stories about how things were done in your location as a child.

you can feel sad they’re not going to have the full experience you had but I will tell you, the country itself is not the same you grew up in

I’m asked all the time if I miss my country of birth, I say I miss the country it was then but it is no longer that country. I now consider myself British, not from where I was born and grew up. That’s a consequence of the decision you make when you move abroad.

You can come and visit me on holidays! ;-)

Like PP I had a mixture of UK and Europe.

Living in Southern Europe <rolls eyes> as a child I experienced another language, which means I now speak 3, and can learn the basics of any language I want easily. I experienced travel and difference and compromise. I experienced being ‘foreign’ which makes you far more understanding and empathetic about others being so. I know what genuinely heritage, fresh, local food should taste like. I learned how different and similar cultures and people are. I’m at home almost anywhere. I have friends from lots of countries and cultures. I experienced art, culture and architecture different to my own. And the best in the world. I am genuinely adventurous. There are a million reasons living somewhere else is good.

The only real downside is always feeling ‘foreign’ everywhere you go. You never quite fit anywhere. It’s a known ‘international student’ phenomenon. It suits me because I don’t care. But for introverted, slow-approach people, without wanderlust and quick adaptation, it’s an issue. Your 6 yo will already be in that boat, even if you all came back to the UK now.

Like What?

Yes exactly this! I so wish we had sports days and proper nativity plays etc 😔

Agree with this