Moving to the Bahamas - need to make a decision!

[Emily202]

Hi all,

My husband has just been offered a transfer to the Bahamas for a 2 year period, with work. We need to make a decision pretty quickly as to whether we are definitely going, as they need someone there by October. We have two daughters - 4 & 8, and I want to make sure I do the right thing for them above all.

I'm feeling totally overwhelmed with it and go between feeling so excited at the opportunity, to thinking it's a crazily, scary big move and that we would be insane to do it! Whenever I dismiss the idea though, I feel like we would be saying no to such an amazing offer, and the potential for the girls to experience a different culture etc.

I guess I am interested to hear other people's experiences on taking such a big move, especially with young children, and how it went for you. Obviously I know that everyone's experiences are different, but any kind of advice on making such a big decision would be really appreciated.

And, if anyone happens to have made the move to the Bahamas - long shot I know ;) - I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks in advance,

Emily

There are definitely cons to moving children. My brother and sister were moved around when they were young and never really recovered. I will not move DS having seen the effect it had on them.

However, if you are going into that side of it with your eyes open fair enough. Is your older DD going into Y4? If so I would try to stay 3 years so she doesn't have to come back into Y6- to me missing Y6 would be a definite up-side!!

With regards to the people walking around with machetes, those are probably Haitian gardeners. Thats how they cut the grass there, by machete. I know it looks alarming but that is not something to worry about!

I wish I had read the travel books! Seeing various men at dusk with machetes walking back to my hotel was slighty unnerving!

I can see how that would have been very disturbing!

I have friends living in the Caribbean - not the Bahamas but another island. Their DC's were born there and they are having a brilliant childhood - they do lots of sports and go to the beach or pool after school. Very little time spent on Ipads or in front of the Tv.

I remember reading a trip advisor review on a hotel in Mexico written by an American who was freaked out by Mexican 's with machetes. They were usual gardening tools in Mexico.

Did you go? My wife has been offered a post there and I'd love to hear your thoughts. We have three children 14, 10, 7. I'd be doing most of the childcare.