Sommer, Strand und Sonne - life in Germany and Austria

[LinzerTorte]

A thread for all those living in Germany or Austria, and for anyone else who would like to chat.

Just popped in to say a quick hello!

Crikey, school sounds expensive. I always thought without uniform costs it would be fairly reasonable, but I'm fairly sure we never had to pay for books etc in the UK. I'd best start saving :)

Jenny I hope your DS feels better soon.

Admylin Good luck in your search for a gerbil-sitter!

Linzer Good luck with the translation - I wouldn't know where to start with that theme, in fact, I have no idea what ultrasonic testing is. (Off to google...)

The Dr confirmed today that she thinks I only have another 2 weeks to go, instead of 4, so I feel like I'm on the home straight now. His head is so low that she thinks the labour will be short (and hopefully uncomplicated). Apparently the first few hours of most labours are for the head to get down into the place his head is already, so fingers crossed she's right!

Acupuncture tomorrow! I'm 'gespannt' as to what to expect - I'll report back soon...

Do the schools not provide any exercise books then? It would be easier if they bought them in bulk from a school supplier and then sold them off more cheaply to the dcs.

Ds2 seems to be keeping his night feed. I dream of a block of nights where I can sleep 11-7 without interruption! I hope you manage to pick up dd's exercise book somewhere.

Not usually, Jenny - I only know of one school here that provides exercise books. And it's not just the exercise books themselves; they all have to have different coloured covers (bought separately), at least at primary school. It takes hours to find all the right ones! DH has said he'll buy the RE exercise book in his lunch break tomorrow, anyway; hopefully it will be much quieter there.

Can't believe you probably only have another two weeks, Later - where did the time go? Fingers crossed for a short and uncomplicated labour; sounds like you've got off to a good start, anyway! Btw I now know more about ultrasonic testing than I ever wanted to.

Sorry Later - the screen didn't refresh! Two weeks! That's amazing. Put your feet up and enjoy it. Best of luck!

Linzer, hope the parents' evening doesn't go on too long. I don't get the point in those collective meetings where the teacher still has to send it all out in a letter because some parents don#t turn up. Waste of time on both sides really.

?130 just on stationary is alot. I don't think we had to buy so much for Gymnasium. They use a College Block (spiral lined notebook) for all subjects then have to put the pages into a file/Ordner with a hand written Inhaltsverzeichniss and each subject we have to provide a note book for the Klassenarbeiten. That stays with the teacher. We had the art stuff left over from last year.

Jenny, hope ds1 is feeling better and you're getting enough sleep.

Later, rest as much as you can and hope the acupuncture goes well. I had it before dd's birth and it wa slovely and relaxing.
I also used to think like you, no uniform in Germany, school must be cheaper! I couldn't understand why the schools don't even provide paper and pencils like in UK. My nieces used to go to primry school practically empty handed every morning - sometimes they'd have a couple of sheets of paper to carry compared to the huge and heavy box bags that primary school dc carry here, it's a different world!

Hello

I really need some good points to living here,

as dh is away
I feel ill

and ds is in school for three hours today

We don't get a letter afterwards, although one of the other parents in DD2's class took minutes last year which were e-mailed to everyone afterwards. I don't remember anyone doing so in DD1's class, so I suppose it might be quite useful to go this evening. I'm getting out of bedtime, anyway!

The ?130 is between the two of them and we haven't had DS's list yet, but it should only be a few bits and pieces for him at KiGa. I asked my SIL whether it gets even more expensive at secondary school and she said no, but the trips get more expensive - her DD went to France and London last year. (DH felt quite smug about the fact that SIL, who's an English teacher, was talking about Green Witch rather than Greenwich - I think his English has probably long overtaken hers!)

I'm hoping that now the DDs have taken all their things in to school, I can finally get them to walk tomorrow; all the first years are still being driven there so parking is a nightmare atm. They did remember to walk home together yesterday, but unfortunately decided to take the longer route via KiGa so by the time I'd finally found them (I cycled to meet them), it took us just as long to walk home as it would if I'd met them coming out of school.

Oh dear, x-posts Cinders - I wouldn't have complained so much about school if I'd known. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Must get on with some work, but some good points off the top of my head:

summers that last for longer than two days
bakers and decent bread
lack of school catchment area madness
reliable trains
few decent shops so little temptation to spend money
the fact that the country doesn't fall apart after 1 cm of snow
lack of sleb culture
little decent TV so no temptation to waste time on it
not much litter, graffiti, etc.
no binge drinking (I don't feel comfortable going out where my parents live after about 9 pm, and they're in a fairly safe small town)
skiing (if you're into that kind of thing)
lakes and mountains

How could I have forgotten:

decent cheap wine
Glühwein
Häferlkaffee

Thanks linzer

tis a flipping pain
lots should of been done today

crosses out day

thanks very much for the list
but sob dh is In the uk at the mo
makes it seem worst...
oh well

must try and keep my eyes open

Poor you. I hope at least he's bringing some goodies back for you. DH always gets a long list on the rare occasions he goes over to the UK for work!

I am also struggling to keep my eyes open. Think I'll make myself a coffee.

Another one with an ill child! Who was also ill at the end of last week and weekend when DH was away for work. grrrr.....Plus dds realise I will be home so coming home when school ends at 12... which is fine but does not really allow dc3 to rest and get better....

cinders, reasons why I like living in austria?
-housing not as expensive as SE England

• schools better than what we had in catchment where we used to live
• little traffic and noise (compared to where I grew up and lived since)

-feels safer for children -nature: mountains, woods...

• rarely feels crowded (except libro, last monday after school ended, which was when we had to go because dc3 was too ill to go on sat at 8am as planned! Spent about 100 euros too. )

I agree with Linzer on many points- except I manage to spend in shops here too! And have discovered online shopping.

school holidays and free days and changing timetables are not my favourite bit of living here... and I an not so sure about the kindergarten ds is going to. we used to get monthly reports on our dds "progress" from the one in the UK. There is practically no feedback from our.

later - hope the last few weeks go well....

canella - I hope the bus driver never drives the kiga bus again. That is dreadful. Glad the new kitchen was worth it.

admylin - I am also looking for coats for my two youngest. But not much use as your dd is older. I am looking online (I have no time to go shopping on my own and can't face dragging three children round shops when they would much rather be climbing in the park) and my favourite at the moment is one from marks and spencer. Even though I will have to pay delivery charges it is cheaper. But of course I run the risk that it is the wrong size. C and A had some in store last year.

jenny - hope you get the sleep you need and deserve. Due to ill child I am back in the land of the sleep deprived and it is no fun. my sympathies to you.

Good to see you again, platanos! Sorry to hear that your DS is ill; why are DC always ill when DHs are away? Have just realised I still haven't replied to your last PM so will do so soon.

yy to all your points, although wrt to feeling less crowded, have you ever been to Ikea/the SCS in the run-up to Christmas?! Oh, I do manage to spend plenty of money online (my Organised Mum order has just arrived, in fact). It's just that I really don't enjoy shopping here so only venture out to the shops if it's absolutely necessary, which means I waste far less time shopping here than I do in the UK.

Two more things for the list, Cinders:
proximity to Vienna and all it has to offer (coffee houses! if only I had time to go... and the museums)
children have more independence here, will walk on their own to school from quite a young age, etc.

Coffee break over so must get back to work, but am feeling slightly more awake now.

Hi everyone. Seems ages since I last posted, so I've probably missed loads.

Later Two weeks! You must be getting excited. I've always wanted to try acupuncture, so will be interested to hear what it's like.

Canella That's a really scary story about the bus driver. Hopefully the kiga will be able to find someone reliable quickly, as it sounds like the service is useful.

Linzer I've done plenty of translations involving medical ultrasound terminology (DH's field), so if there's anything you can't work out, I might be able to help.

I'm having a bit of a wobble about the kiga today. DD started last week and I thought it was all gong swimmingly, but today I spoke to a mum acquaintance who was there all morning yesterday settling her DD in and she said my DD had been very upset, at least until they went outside into the garden to play. I asked the Erzieherin (who hadn't mentioned anything when I collected DD the day before) and she said DD had been a bit overwhelmed by the masses of kids while they were getting ready to go out, but that she hadn't cried, she had just hung on her leg.

I don't know what to think or who to believe. DD is 2 yr 3 mth, she's quite able to tell me if she hates kiga and doesn't want to go. She is isn't one to complain quietly, so it's possible that she squawks frequently when another child is in her way, or takes an interest in something she's playing with. If that's the case, well it's something she will get used to and it doesn't concern me as much as the thought that she might be unhappy and missing me. On the other hand, I need to feel I can trust the Erzieherin and not worry that she's not telling me what's really going on.

kindergarten was a mystery to me here .

ds was always doing something wrong

oh well till later

Thanks silken, that's useful to know. It's very technical so I've been glad of DH's help so far.

Re KiGa, it seems to be quite normal that some children are very clingy when they first start and maybe the teacher didn't want to worry you or just thought it wasn't worth mentioning as it's fairly common. Have you spoken to her about how your DD is settling in? I'd expect her to tell me if one of the DC had been crying all morning, for example, but if the teacher didn't mention that she was clingy and hanging onto her leg the whole time, I wouldn't be quite as concerned - unless you'd asked specifically how your DD was getting on and she'd told you everything was fine, of course. If your DD hasn't told you that she's unhappy (and it sounds like she would), I wouldn't worry too much at the moment and would just assume that the teacher doesn't think there's any cause for concern.

Cinders,(love the grotty mansion in your name!) cheer up - would you really rather be somewhere else? I'm in Germany, same as Austria really and I honestly think we've got it better than if we'd lived in UK. OK except for shopping but then again we wouldn't have any money left over to shop with probably looking at what scientists get payed!

Silken, one good idea would be to pop into kindergarden half way through, just to check on your dd maybe? See if she's upset or settled, even if you sneak in without dd seeing you,that's what we did a few times, testing the erzieher really.

Platanos, I don't think there is that much feedback to give from a German/Austrian kindergarden as they aren't expected to do much except play, sing songs and join in. We never got feedback either but there was 1 parent meeting every 6 months.
I'll check outthe M&S website again. Sometimes I like the look of things but you can't tell what the textile is really like and some of the coats don't look warm somehow.

Today we have no time for coat hunting, dd is trying out a hockey club but I have a feeling it'll be too much, half hour drive there and back with traffic and getting home at 8pm, not sure if she'll maybe be better off round the corner at the girls football training. We'll see how it goes.

I've just sent our passports off for visas for october. Told dh this morning if they get lost in the post I won't be coming with you but you 3 can get quick replacement passports (German ones) - I doubt I'd get a British one quick ebough, and even more expense. Visas cost us ?170

Oh
Im always the grass is greener type of person

we did have three years back in England but after time here
it did not feel right if that makes sense

I guess my confidence has just gone down the plughole..

well
I should make a plan...
but how part time school
dog
dh away for work

off to ponder
ps agree kindergartens did not really give any feedback,

Thanks for the reassurance/tips. I thought I had been asking every day (it's only her second week there) how she was getting on, but I tried to ask a bit more specifically today. Apparently she did cry at one point, sympathy crying set off by my acquaintaince's DD (who she knows from toddler group). Otherwise she was quite clingy, wanting to be carried a lot. The teacher also described her as "ruhig", so she clearly hasn't settled in yet .

Re winter coats, I thnk the secret with H&M is to get hold of their catalogue. I saw it for the first time this summer and it was full of stuff I haven't seen even in the kids-only branch.

Hello, Cinders. I don't think we've met properly, although Linzer has mentioned you before. Sorry to hear you're feeling down, Germany gets to me sometimes, too, usually when they stick a bank holiday in the midde of the week and you've just run out of coffee or loo roll or something else vital.

Hello silken

yes those strange bank hols

try to never run out of loo roll...ds seems to be an andrex puppy with the loo roll so he is rationed ......meanie me

Wow this thread really whizzes along sometimes!

Hi Plantanos! Sorry to hear about your poorly DC. Hope they feel better soon. How is the job going?

Cinders Sorry to hear you are feeling so down - I take it you are in Austria?
I spent a good part of last year feeling really down and homesick for the UK (I'm in Germany) so can sympathise. I hope DH brings you lots of your favourite things that you've been missing and that they help to cheer you up a little. (It's sometimes amazing what a few bags of cheese & onion and an English magazine can do for your mood - not to trivialise your feelings, hope it doesn't come across that way.)

I'd second (third?) things like bakers on every corner, not spending so much money as the shops are a bit rubbish here (which is in itself sometimes a bit rubbish but makes shopping when back in the UK a bit more exciting), awful tv so you don't feel like you're wasting your life in front of it as there is nothing to watch, reliable public transport, the ability to deal with snow and not freak out as soon as the temperature hits zero (something I'm having to work on myself!). Oh and Schnitzel. Lovely Schnitzel :)

Silken Good luck with the coat hunt!

Linzer The mere thought of Ikea in the run up to Christmas sends a shiver down my spine - I can't think of anything worse. Hope the coffee had the desired effect.

Admylin I hope this evening's hockey club works out for your DD.

Oh I almost forgot to report back - acupuncture is the strangest thing!

She stuck the needles in my legs (3 in each leg) and wiggled them around a bit and told me to say stop once I could feel something. Once each needle hit the right spot it was like an electric shock in my leg - so strange. Then one needle next to my knee made my foot really, really hurt, so she wiggled it slightly and the pain was gone instantly. My legs were a bit achey afterwards but better now. It is supposed to help with sleeping over the next few weeks then with dilation for the birth, so we shall see. Witchcraft, I'm sure! I have another session next week, then one the week after.

I mentioned to the midwife that the Dr had said that she thinks the baby will be here in 2 weeks instead of 4 and the midwife seemed to think it was nonsense and that I shouldn't take any notice! I'm a little confused now, but am just taking it easy, he will come when he comes (although hopefully not for another 2 weeks at least - I'm only 36 weeks now).

I had acupuncture to help me get pregnant and then to relax throughout the pregnancy. I loved it! The last time I had it, she used points specifically to bring on labour (I was already 4cm dilated by this point) and I was so exhausted afterwards at my ante-natal appointment that my OB/GYN decided to take me in and break my waters 2 days later. Et voila - ds2 arrived on the Saturday with minimal childcare needed for dd and ds1. Fortunate really as no family was around to help! I thoroughly recommend it!

Cinders - you sound like I feel, though I am in America. This is such a lovely place to live with so many outdoor activities that we couldn't afford back home. My house is twice the size as it would be (not so great for the housework!) but it will be incredibly difficult for me to get a job as a German teacher here, due to the education cuts and the fact remains that it is 6000 miles from home and I got to see my parents once this year, when ds2 was already 4 months old. Germany is much closer to home [helpful emoticon] and the bakeries are fantastic! I hope you feel better soon.

Does your dh do medical physics silken? Are you getting visas for India admylin? I hope the Kindergarten gives better feedback soon Platanos. Sympathy for everyone with illdcs. Dss are both ill now. Sleep feels like a distant past! Looking forward to dh coming back Thursday night!

Oh no, Jenny - hope your DSs feel better soon and that you all manage to catch up on some sleep!

Relaxation acupuncture sounds good! I think the hospital here offer acupuncture while you're in labour too so I might look into it...

Yes our house is big
but silly

I can not still get my head around German

ds is such hard work and I know i do not do enough with him

and dh is well just dh and away

well after too much mning today should hide puter tomorrow
before i de reg or ask for another ban
take care all