Living in Luzern, Switzerland

[stevetaylor20]

Hi we've just moved to Switzerland 5 months ago. We had our baby here 3 months ago and it's obviously pretty stressful. Mrs hates it here, I don't think too much of it, she says the people are closed simple thinking like in a bubble, rude, cold and unkind. She does tell me stories when she's out with the baby about how she's treated which make me angry because if I were there I either beat the shit out if them (and happily get throw it) or at least go crazy. Anyway she's not happy and doesn't have many (any) friends, to top it off it seems Swiss people don't want to make friends. I've nothing against the Swiss they're nice enough people, just her experience.

Any mid thirties or whatnot mothers know any social aspects around Luzern? I've Google and it seems there is only 1 social group.

Thanks
Steve

I share your pain. It is really difficult to make friends with the Swiss. There is a yahoo group expat mums in Switzerland who may have someone on there to connect with. or try English forum.

I lived in Switzerland, almost exactly the same boat as your wife and I can totally relate. However the expat network was fantastic. I was in the Geneva area, so not much help, so I would hit meetup and fb hard in a quest for groups, and I'd feel quite optimistic about finding some. Lovely that you want to support your wife, I would le say that many expat DHs find it hard to appreciate how isolating it is being a sahm to a baby in Switzerland, so it's great that she has you

Sorry I can't offer a solution but your wife might also be experiencing PND, very common with first babies and she has no friends or family. My DS 24 is studying in Switzerland, has worked there too and he finds it an odd place-says it lacks fun and joy and is very buttoned up. Hope things get better for you both, a difficult time to relocate.

Try the suggestions on here...

livinginluzern.swiss/2011/05/10/expat-communities-in-luzern/ Also a facebook group... www.facebook.com/LivingInLuzern/

Do you have any work colleagues with partners who do not work? Put them in touch if you can.

Maybe also try facebook group Expat parents in Switzerland.

And there is this website (though not much in Luzern it seems) www.familymattersswitzerland.ch/

Wish her luck from everyone who has been in this situation, things will get better..

May I suggest anger management classes for yourself? It isn't normal behaviour to want to "beat the shit out of" people or "go crazy".

Hmm, I think we might've just found why the Swiss are giving you a wide berth...

The Swiss are quite hard to crack, but it's not impossible. They do have specific way of doing things and it can take around a year to adjust.

I am part of a wonderful Facebook group. m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=22886521535&ref=content_filter

Sadly I am not in your area so can't help, but tell her to join and ask. It's also a great space to let off some steam about the Swiss! (Please don't punch anyone!)

Could try looking at International School in Zug, which may have groups for mums and tots or at least English speaking contacts in the area. Also groups like kindermusik which tend to attract international mums. Also endorse the expatmomsinswitzerland yahoo group as a great resource, support and way of finding local families in the same boat. Swiss life and rules does take some getting used to, and you will not automatically be accepted into the community without a lot of effort first.