Just moved on again. I hate this bit.

[poissonrouge]

Hving just spent the last two years biulding a nice little life with a great bunch of friends and a cosy little house, we have moved on again. New city. New country.

I keep getting lost.
I miss my friends.
DH works long long hours.
No one has been particularly friendly so far.

Oh, and dd's new school made an error and now they don't have a place for her until September. Maybe not even then. I have a very bored 5yo at home, and it's not even as though I know anyone to do lots of socialising in the afternoons.

I was planning to keep her busy, and meet people through school.

I am really really trying to be positive and roll my sleeves up and do it all again. I know we won't get anywhere if I mope around at home. I'm just having a down day.

I want to go home.

Oh, and, AND, we have run out of wine and can't buy any more until we get a booze licence and that won't be for months.

Where are you? Is there anything good eg. the weather?

Ah that sucks...

Middle East?

I could possible give you a hint on alcohol if your're Dubai way...

Oh there's plenty good. We live in a fucking awesome house with a pool and a gym and electric gates. I have a cleaner every day. The weather is beautiful. We have a view of the sea.

But I'm afraid all that sucks completely compared to having someone to talk to, or something to do. And a school place for dd. And... I dunno, having a point of reference.

There don't even seem to be any toddler groups or music groups. There's a gym group but it's full. We're on the waiting list. Everything else seems to be attached to the schools, for school members only.

I'm just wallowing and I'm sure it will get better.

Just moved from Dubai. I miss Baracuda!!

would it be worth speaking to the school to ask whether she could participate in some of the school-run activities from now till she starts school in September? After all it was their mistakeand if she is joining the school in 6 months anyway.... Or is it all high security where you are? Have you checked with regard to brownies - US girl scouts abroad? They will give you a contact phone number and if the meetings are held in the school, maybe she could still attend?

Any of your neighbours have dc around the same age, have you noticed?

scouts

you can ask them if there is a group near you

I did ask the school that, and they said it would not be possible for insurance reasons.

She is on the waiting list for Brownies, though apparently it is very oversubscribed and she might not get a place this year.

Two nearish neighbours have 5yo daughters - both of whom are in the class that my dd should be in if the school hadn't messed up. They do play out for an hour in the evening, but in the mornings they are at school and in the afternoon they are "too tired to play" or busy doing after school activities or homework or seeing their friends. Like I said - people haven't been massively friendly so far. Well, people have their own lives to chug on with don't they? It's just going to be a case of meeting someone I click with.

Have mentioned coffee to a couple of neighbours and they have done that polite vague "yes that would be good some time" thing.

sounds difficult. Maybe not coffee but a house-warming party type of thing, in the daytime so all the families come with kids.

Rather you than me tbh but you might have to take drastic measures.

Heh heh

Ahhh but we only go to Barracuda as its by Dreamland

[doing it for the kids...]

[yeah right..]

Yes, perhaps we'll do that. A bbq or something. We live in a little compound so could invite everyone. Am not enthused...

Oooooh the bloody school. It's always tough starting over again but you take the ups with the downs and get there in the end, but this school thing has really made everything that bit more difficult.

it's a right pain with the school, especially if they cannot even guarantee a place from September. I suppose there is no alternative - another school further away?

Thank you both for the support. It means a lot.

It's a funny thing living overseas - people back home assume that because you have sunshine and a swimming pool then you cannot possibly ever feel glum.

Dd is on every waiting list in the city, and hopefully something will come up, however far away it is. I am also investigating a nursery which may have a place and be prepared to take her.

I also feel sure there must be more on offer in terms of ballet or music or something. I just need to work out where. I need a Yellow Pages or something! Or some people to ask. I am also going to investigate joining a club of some sort - beach club or sailing club or diving club or something. Might get somewhere that way.

Is there an expat club you could join? A club will probably provide a lot of afterschool activities and possibly a creche/playroom that you could use during the day for an hour or two to give you and your DD a breather from each other?

Or a Women's Association? One way of meeting mums with school age children! Google or try the British Council/Consulate for details?

And did you have relocation agents? Have you asked them to help with research on children's activities?

Dubai has expatwoman.com does the new country have something similar?

[much as I loathe coffee mornings]