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Living overseas

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Original poster

All those online for NZ timezone!

880 replies

buzzybee · 28/04/2007 05:17

Hi all. Used to be a regular on MN when I lived in London but since moving back to NZ have found it harder to make the connections due to all the brits being asleep when us down under are online! So if anyone is keen to start a thread for those of us in this predicament please reply! My DD has just turned 5 and started school last week (scary). Have just found out I'm expecting number 2 - due roughly Xmas day...

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MrsJohnCusack · 28/04/2007 05:50

hello!
have probably missed you but am in ChCh, although not online too much at the moment as have 7 week old and toddler....

where are you based? there are a few of us down under Mners plus some in the US

there is a thread I've noticed with Kiwis on it who all chat - think it's called A little bit of Kiwi. I always manage to miss it!

MrsJohnCusack · 28/04/2007 05:52

ah have just seen on other thread that you're in Wellington
my sister and her husband are moving there for at least 2 years next weekend. so I am looking forward to some visits there!

Original poster
buzzybee · 28/04/2007 06:12

Hi MJC! My computer is in my study and I escaped back down to the warmth of my lounge after the posting above. Isn't the weather today foul - a real taste of winter! I saw the other thread but thought I'd post a new one - partly because it was already very long and partly because I'm keen to chat to anyone, not necessarily just kiwis, who's around when we're awake!!!
Where is your sister moving to? I live in Ngaio, which I highly recommend. My brother and family have just moved to London and am already missing them hugely (they flew out yesterday). It seems a sad twist of fate that we are never in the same country when we have babies. His first was born in London when I was in NZ, 2nd was born in NZ when I was in NZ, mine was born in London when they were in NZ and now they are back in London just as I'm expecting my 2nd!!

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Original poster
buzzybee · 28/04/2007 06:13

Oops meant to say his 2nd was born in NZ when I was in London...

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Papillon · 28/04/2007 06:22

I am on the little bit of Kiwi thread

Just moved back to NZ after 6 years in Switzerland

Papillon · 28/04/2007 06:23

Have a 3.5 year old dd and a 17 month ds

Live in Napier/Hastings area

twentypence · 28/04/2007 07:16

Crikey MrsJC - your sister didn't hang around getting moving organised did she?

Hi to buzzybee. Welliemum is in Wellington - obviously.

Original poster
buzzybee · 28/04/2007 07:24

Hi there all! I lived in Geneva in the mid-90s. Haven't spotted Welliemum yet - must try harder! Are there any mums in kiwiland expecting at the moment? I haven't told many people yet so nice to be able to talk about it in the "safety" of cyberspace.

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twentypence · 28/04/2007 07:26

Not expecting and not planning too, but will be vicariously interested in that age gap (ds is 4).

Original poster
buzzybee · 28/04/2007 08:00

Yes well I wasn't planning on it either! However given that its happened I'm inclined to be positive that the age gap will work in my favour. Obviously will be harder for them to be friends at a young age but hoping DD will see the baby as "ours" to look after and bring up.

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eidsvold · 28/04/2007 13:00

not in NZ but in Aus so generally post the same time as the kiwi counterparts.

have a 4y9m, 2y5m and a 5week old - all dds.

Original poster
buzzybee · 28/04/2007 22:52

Great to see so many of you! I found Mumsnet to be a great source of comfort to me when DD was born. How long have you all been chatting on here?

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MrsJohnCusack · 29/04/2007 07:01

she didn't did she twentypence - the dog is even coming on the same flight (although there's still a question over all the paperwork being finished in time). I think she is totally freaked out. she's going to be living in a rented house in Karori (they don't have children).

Can't think of any pregnant NZers at the moment buzzybee, I was but DS is now 7 weeks old. HAve to say giving birth here was TONS nicer than giving birth in the UK!

I've been on Mumsnet since 2004 I think, but didn't post lots until last year. Moved to NZ last September. Not getting on here all that much as I say because of toddler and new baby (and playing in a show nearly every night for 4 weeks - it's over next weekend), but should be on here more soon when I no longer have any excuse to escape at night!

Original poster
buzzybee · 29/04/2007 07:38

Really MrsJC? I'm keen to hear more. I found it pretty OK in the UK but I guess it depends where you live. Although I'm a kiwi I have no clue about the NZ system. What did you like here compared to the UK? I was in Chelsea/Westminster there so had local community midwives and ended up having a home birth at their suggestion.

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AnnainNZ · 29/04/2007 08:16

Hello can I join? I'm in Auckland, am English originally but have been in NZ six years, am permanent resident now and v settled here. Currently 13 wks pg with first. Only discovered MN a few weeks ago and think it's fab - especially as I've only just started telling people in RL about the pregnancy, whereas on the antenatal thread on here I've been able to talk about it.
Bit strange being in different country as I didn't really know the maternity system over here - couldn't ask sisters/friends with babies about it as all in UK. Actually, a couple of my friends over here have had babies so do have some people I can ask. Have my GP of 5 years as my LMC, she is one of only 2 GPs in Auckland who still do maternity care, she's been a great GP and I'm very pleased to have somene I already know as my LMC.

Great idea to have a NZ thread - I've been going on MN in the mornings as all the new posts happen overnight because of the time difference. If I go on in the eveing there don't seem to be many new posts (as everyone asleep!) and in the middle of the day the only people on seem to be those half-deranged with sleep deprivation. Ah well, got all that to look forward to...

Original poster
buzzybee · 29/04/2007 09:52

Hi Anna. Sounds like you really are lucky. Have an apptmt with my GP next Tue to talk LMCs etc. I've heard its hard to find a midwife. I'm not that concerned yet as very early days. Know exactly what you mean about telling people. This baby is a big surprise for me so haven't told many at all.

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AnnainNZ · 29/04/2007 10:19

My GP was so lovely when I first went to see her when pg. She takes 8 pg women a month and has to turn away anyone who comes to her after that. She told me I was the first one she was taking on for November (I'm due 4th Nov). SO I said I'd timed it well, to which she replied "It wouldn't have mattered when in the month you came to see me, I'd have been your LMC anyway. What kind of doctor would I be if I turned you away after being your GP for 5 years?". Bless! She has 6 kids herself and seems very passionate about providing care for pg women and their children.

MrsJohnCusack · 29/04/2007 12:06

hello Anna! great to see another Kiwi mnetter

well, the reasons I preferred having a baby here were mainly:
a) having one midwife all the way through (although ended up with another for the birth, but at least i'd met her before!) - in LOndon I barely saw the same one twice
b) the treatment from everyone was just so much more respectful & pleasant - no midwives jamming the baby onto the nipple, no inexplicable rules that noone told you about but expected you to know (taking baby out of the crib and walking up and down the corridor/canteen - apparently not allowed at West Mid - would help if I'd been told!), no being told off as DH was for opening a window (He didn't, he was just standing near it). The whole process was much more joyful and enjoyable, and DH was much more involved. I also had a couple of appointments with a total arse of a consultant.
c) being able to go to the lovely birthing unit for 2 nights and just have a rest and lots of help with the baby - and time just alone with him. It was so relaxing and beautiful - first time round I was out the next morning as soon as possible.

a lot of this is just due to numbers I think - there's far less pressure on the facilities in CHCh than in London, although everywhere was jampacked full when I gave birth. I didn't have a particularly bad birth experience first time round especially compared with the stories I read on here - but just a few little things would have mad it great. In fact, the only person who was a bit of a pain was the consultant I saw to book my induction - and he was British!

I ramble - but anyway, it was a lovely experience and I'm sure contributed to the fact that I had an easy pregnancy. (other than movinng to NZ halfway through and then unpacking a container load of stuff!)

MrsJohnCusack · 29/04/2007 12:08

hmm 'joyful and enjoyable' - means the same thing methinks

too excited at having a free evening, a sleeping baby, and the opportunity to catch up on emails and Mumsnet

twentypence · 30/04/2007 04:46

One for you Mrs JC. Ds comes home today and tells me his kindy teacher has been to a cat show. I said "like in Hairy Maclary?". No says ds a show where they dress up as cats.

Penny drops.

MrsJohnCusack · 30/04/2007 04:53

actually a Hairy Maclary show would be really cool...

did the teacher enjoy it?

ghosty · 30/04/2007 05:01

I am in Melbourne now but was in NZ for 5 years

I believe I may have been the first mumsnetter in NZ ...

Been in Melbourne for 2 and a bit weeks, living in a rented house with rented furniture atm ... bit odd really. But so far I like it - fabulous city - the shopping, the markets ... wow!

Just need a few mates and I'll be sorted.

Beyoodifool (as the Melburnians say )

ghosty · 30/04/2007 05:03

and, AnnainNZ, would echo MrsJC's words about having a baby in NZ
I had one in the UK and one in NZ .... would recommend the NZ system deffo ...

If I have a third it may be in Aus, so I will become an expert

MrsJohnCusack · 30/04/2007 05:12

ooooh ghosty I was wondering when you were going to melbourne - have lost track a bit

mates- that's the thing isn't it!

ghosty · 30/04/2007 05:23

Just call me "Norma" MrsJC (as in "No Mates")

I have a cousin here, who has a toddler. We had coffee last week and it was very pleasant. I also had coffee with a mum from playgroup today, which was also very pleasant.
Pleasant ...

Not like sitting at your best mate's kitchen table setting the world to rights over a cup of coffee and a plate of timtams

I keep reminding myself that it took time in NZ and so it will take time here.

It's only been nearly 3 weeks after all ...

sigh ...

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