Friede, Freude, Eierkuchen : German Corner 3 - life goes on

[SSSandy2]

Other thread was getting a bit full. Alles wie gehabt :
"Deutsch or English
Native speakers, expats, anyone
From Brezeln to Bier

Please don't ask if you join in, everyone is welcome "

Canella,

Muennerstadt isn't that close to Wuerzburg but it's a commutable distance. I agree with Mme Lindt I would prefer Wuerzburg or the communities around to live, especially with small children. There is a good selection of schools there. Rimpar is quite nice, so is Estenfeld. I ask my sister were she would live if she wanted to move to the north of the city, and why.

Admylin,

my brother works for the Arbeiterwohlfahrt in Hannover. I can ask him if he knows about any jobs for English speakers. They do a lot of work with migrants so there might be a possibility there for translations or some such thing.
I remember my first years living in NZ. I hated phoning someone I didn't know because I felt that my English wasn't up to it. I still have wobbly moments when I'm in a group of people that I don't know.

I hang out a bit on a German parenting page with a bilingual/expat foum but it shows me more than anything how long I've been away from Germany. It's often so patronizing and lacking in humour that I spent a lot of time in exasperation, rolling my eyes, going "Germans, gah"
It's nothing at all like mumsnet, even netmums might beat it.

Mme Lindt, I would be the one coming out of Cafe Brandstetter with Brezn (the Croissant-style ones not the Laugenbrezn type) in both hands and a happy grin on her face

Gracelo
Well, we must have bumped into each other then as Brandstetter is DH's favourite baker. We lived near Stift Haug and always went past about 10 bakers to go to Brandstetter.

You are making me homesick for the Hörnli

When did you live in Wü? I was there from 1992 to 2003, DH was born and bred in Wü.

The big news from the LindtHaus, WE HAVE NITS

DD complained of having an itchy head and when I had a good look I could see that she had some lice in her hair.

So I have both of them home today and probably tomorrow too. I kept DS home even though he did not have any sign of lice as I know how easy it is to miss them.

Morning! Bad news about the nits. Touch wood we haven't ever had them - yet. What do you do now? Do you have to go to the doctor or just buy some anti-nit shampoo? I remember a friend in south Germany had to do the treatment about 3 times before she was clear (well her dd) and not to mention the washing of all her cushion covers, pillows and bedding.

Poor you, MmeLindt.

We've had them a couple of times and I've always used the conditioner and wet comb method. It's time consuming as you have to comb thoroughly every couple of days for about 2 weeks but it does work ime.

They don't actually say that you have to wash the bedding anymore, but I will wash it today anyway as it is needing done.

I have used the nitstuff, Nydal or something, and the comb. There were a few lice in DD's hair already, so she must have had them for a couple of days already

DS is clear but staying off at least today.

Mme Lindt,

I was born in Wuerzburg and went to the Deutschhaus Gymnasium there. I also did one year at Uni in W. but transfered to Munich in 89, left Germany in 94. I go there to visit my family as often as I can, so the kids get to know their Oma and Opa.

Brandstetter used to be a lot better. They've gone downhill a bit since my childhood but their Hoernli and Brezn are still a treat.

I've just spent ages getting rid of all the Verpackung from Ikea, it's a pain tidying up afterwards. We didn't get time yesterday. Dc wanted their stuff built and I had to stop half way through to feed them and then by the time I'd put everything up it was bed time.

They don't want to get up in the mornings at the moment, it's the start of the dreaded long dark winter. Not looking forward to the clocks changing as I hate getting up in the dark and the short days.

just popping in - supposed to be tidying as an english woman-hairdresser I met is coming here to colour my gray hair - how kind is that? But house is a state. And I'm supposed to be packing as we return to CH for the weekend tomorrow.

Nits. yuk. also not yet had them here. good luck getting rid. Is it right you have to get a doctor's note here in Germany?

Kindergartnerin today asked me if I wanted ds3 to start school next year (I still don't know system ) apparently as November born we can choose if he starts next year or the year after. We had had to write the kids names & birthdays on a class list (how can she not have the info off the Anmeldung??) and she laughingly said he's going to turn 5! We were all shocked. We thought you had made a mistake and that he is going to turn 3! Nearly cried, as I am so worried atm about his size. He is by far the oldest in his class, yet clearly the smallest - smaller even than the 3 year olds

Anyway, sorry, was just supposed to say quick 'hello'. Ad, I so know how you feel when you posted about feeling so demotivated.

I am trying to meet people. I went to an International Women's Club meeting. Not me at all - mostly women my mother's age, tho some my age, and mostly in the same position - moving round cos of dh job. So didn't really 'enjoy' it, but it was good to actually talk to another human being. Have also signed up to Volkshochschule German course. Hope it's good.

Going to CH tomorrow, so see you all next weet. Hope you're nit free by then ML

sorry for the slef centred post and popping in & out ness

Ernest,
you don't sound very happy at the moment. How big is your DS3? Is he within the height range in the yellow book? Do you have one of these yet? The U book? DD has always been small for her age, she smaller than most of her friends who are a year younger than her.

About the school, you will have an appointment sometime in the next year with the Schularzt, she or he will advise you whether she thinks your DS3 is Schulreif or not. If she is unsure, then she would normally consult with the kindergarten and yourself to decide what to do.

In my experience it all depends on the Schularzt. Some, like ours, are keen to put the children in school as early as possible. Some leave them as long as possible. The tendency at the moment in this area is to err on the side of then children starting earlier rather than later.

There was a little girl in DD's kindergarten class last year, she will not be 6yo until next March. The Schulärztin wanted her to go to school this year so she was a Vorschulkind last year, a year earlier than normal. Her parents decided in late Spring to leave her in Kita another year. So you have some time before you have to make that decision.

Hi ML, ds wears size 92 or 98, clothes size 2 to 3 in UK. He is off the % ile chart. We have seen specialist and starting growth hormne treatment maybe next week, tho he isn't deficient in GH, they'e not yet identifieed his (possibly quite rare) condition. No mention of Schularzt, but KGerin want decison as if we want him to start nexr year he'll need to move class. I think not, as imo he's quite immature, and he's rediculouly small, at least we have some time to try and fix.

anyway, sorry it's all mememe again - dinner overcooking rapidly

Since he is small for his age, I think that I would probably lean toward leaving him another year. Apart from anything else, the kindergarten years are such lovely years, you could let him enjoy an extra one before the horrible school starts. DD was 6 in April and I am very glad we left it till this year.

Funnily enough, I was always keen to put the DCs to school earlier, but now that I see how well DD is doing, I am glad that I didn't. She is already reading words such as Maus, Elefant and Ente. Reading, not just recognising them. I was amazed.

Did I tell you guys that she wrote KAFE and PRESL last week, all by herself. That was what DH was having for breakfast, kaffee und Brezel.

Hi Ernest. Kindergaertnerin sounds really insensitive to react like that. No wonder you were upset. I was really [shocked] at MIL last week when we were standing outside for the group photo after ds's Einschulung. There was a girl in the front who was a lot smaller than the others and MIL was saying things like 'Look how small she is. She can't possibly be 6 yet etc, etc.' I was doing my best to ignore her and really hoping the girl's parents weren't behind us.

As for starting him at school early, I agree with MmeLindt. We also briefly considered putting ds in a year early as he had started school already in the UK before we moved. I'm glad we didn't though because he would have been a lot younger than the others (June birthday) and is also quite small for his age and socially not very mature.

Lol MmeLindt at KAFE and PRESL

I used to think that 6 was a bit late to start school but they progress so much more quickly with reading than the 4/5 yo's in the UK and also have the fine motor skills to be able to use a pen properly.

ML, that's really cute with the coffe & brezel.

You'll never forget it either

I already told KG ds should had 2 years there, pending discussion with dh, so he can get his language up to speed. (and hopefully his height).

re work, for those interested, the woman that came to do my hair is - yes a hairdresser, and she told me she started working here with very little German (her boss spoke English), but still, in that kind of work.... She's braver than me. I did an (Einstufungstest?) at the VHS which puts me at level B1, whatever that means, and I'm really going tp put in the effort to learn how to write. I also desperately want to work, but having a baby is a daft thing to do! Still, I can use this time to work towards it. The childcare provision here seems to be really good - hair woman told me her ds goes to Hort after school & they get fed & HW & almost a mini mental health check there ( like group therapy for how they feel about school) and they're expanding it, so, as far as I can tell, plenty of good quality places, which seems to be unusual...

Good luck with work. Personally translating (at home) not ideal, ad I crave the social side of work too.

Any thoughts Taipo & Ad? Must pack.... (have lost passport)

aarrghhh

ds started kindergarten and is being hhmmm

ds .....

mil is being bossy ..she had been kind and been doing the school run ..but she thinks i should not talk to the teacher and that ds has no problem

and has said i should not go in tomorrow...

he needs help and they want and dh and his mum are so bossy

Taipo
I am coming around to the German late staring school thing at them moment. It seems to me that they have an extra year or two of childhood, missing out on the frustrating keyword stage and going straight into learning to read letter for letter.

Ernest
Did you work in Switzerland? Did you work at home? Is it something that you could do in Germany?

I still have DCs at home today as DD still has a few nits. Have combed throught this morning but I find it very difficult to get them out. I wish there was an easier way.

That's what puts me off translating or proofreading too. My main reason for wanting to work again is to get out and meet people whose lives don't necessarily revolve around children. However, working from home would have a lot of advantages.

Have you ever taught English, Ernest? There's always a demand for that here, I think, although it can be very badly paid, considering the time spent travelling to classes and on preparing lessons. Again, doing it from home would probably be best.

I did my first lesson yesterday with the 11. Klasse boy. It went very well. I was impressed by how confidently he could speak actually. I certainly couldn't have spoken that well in a foreign language at that age and probably not in English either! Gives me some hope for the school system here.

That's good that you have decent childcare there. Perhaps I should check out the Hort at the school here but I don't think it's up to much. Am really wishing someone could take the HW burden off me atm.

Ahhhh - MmeLindt - nits, can't work out if d has them or not. We haven't had them yet so chances are we're due - last year was esp bad at the school, whole classes stricken but the boys managed to escape them.
I keep looking but cannot see anything. She keeps scratching, esp behind ears which is classic sign I read. Has little red bites below the hairline on the back of her neck - but also a couple of mosquito bites from the lake.
If she does have them, she's not allowed back to school till the doctor has declared her nit-free and she will hate missing it & be all embarrassed, she's such a sensitive wee thing.
What did you see, Mme? The school were so fed up of the infestations (the word alone makes me itch) & parents sending the children back to school that at 1st yr parents' eve, the Schulelternbeirat woman put some nits she found on her daughter in a jar and passed it round - quite noticeable.
Wail. Might go to pharmacy anyway...
Wail again at thought of bedding & legions of stuffed toys on her bed.

Ernest you daft Bavarian (in affectionate tone) don't apologize for "mememe"ing, tis what MN is for, that and advice about sodding nits!

I've only ever heard good things about the Hort. The school here is now "Ganztags" - and keen to get as many children doing it as poss. Lunch, homework supervision (only that it's done, parents must check it's right) and AG's till 4pm, and nothing on Fridays or in the school hols. Just a basic Betreuung. The hort is open till 5pm, also during hols, much more intensive re homework and social stuff, individual attention & activities etc. CAn pick up when you want or nor go, GTS is v strict that only in exceptional circs can children leave early so not for birthday parties or sport. The Hort is more expensive, the GTS (Ganztagsschule) is free, only lunch (3 euros a day so 48 a month) whereas the Hort is dep on income & no of children in the family, think about 100-200 a month. Still v little I think, compared to UK.
My head itches.

Fink
DD had both nits and lice. Nits are tiny little white eggs, often quite close to the scalp. They are about the size of very fine sand so difficult to see, particularly on blonde hair. That was the first that I noticed, and that she was scratching her head.

I used Nydal (I think it is called), you put it on then leave it for 45mins then comb through with a nit come, I found 4 or 5 lice then. They are small beasties, they suffocate when you put the stuff on (although I have read that you can just use conditioner)

The Nydal stuff had to stay on 8 hours. I washed the bedding and their toys, but they do not now recommend washing them daily as they used to.

Crossing fingers now that we get rid of them.

Off to kita for the Pro-Kita Untersuchug with DS.

Thanks, d is blonde too, will check again.
My dryer is broken so am not thrilled by thought of even more washing...
Read you can put the toys in the freezer, will hunt for letter from school.

Hi FN. (waves) Get thee to an Apoteke, woman man.

Cinders, what's the problem with ds?

Taipo, I am a qualified teacher, taught in secondary school in London, & in CH did short stint maternity cover teaching English. I didn't really enjoy it. Well, the teaching I like, but kids titting about and time wasting I hated and brought back lots of horrible memories (worked in v. rough London school). So I decided I didn't want to return to teaching. But I found out shortly after starting that I was 1. pregnant, 2.MIL died 3. moving to Milan, and 4. Moving to Munich so I was knackered & my heart wasn't in it, and if I'd known those 4 things before I probably wouldn't have done it, but I felt I didn't do such a good job and it knocked my confidence wrt teaching again.

As for individual lessons, I tried but I was crap at it, as I spent years classroom teaching, I just blanked on what to do 1-to-1, as I'm used to large group activities

How have you found your pupils? How did you decide what to do? How much did you charge & how does it work re Steuer?

Passport found. must pack

We haven't had the nit letter from school yet but I think last year's said that you had to inform the school and that dc could only return to school once they had been treated and you had to sign something to confirm that that they had been. I don't think a doctor's note was necessary. I discovered them last time in the holidays so didn't need to let the school know.

Ernest, just off out now. Will reply later.

We´ve managed to escape nits so far. Mind you anyone would think it was the black plague - over half the parents in Kindergarten are refusing to send their children in case they catch them. When you add those to the children who can´t go in because they have got them it´s meant Kindergarten has been really deserted for the last couple of weeks. Dd and ds are really enjoying it because the kindergärtnerinnen have got loads more time to do great activites with them.

Ernest I´m a qualified primary teacher and dh finds it really hard to understand why I don´t want to get into school teaching here in Germany. I´d really need to improve my German for starters and I really don´t want to go back to classroom teaching again, especially knowing some local teachers here who say standards of behaviour are apalling. I did a few courses at the VHS when I got here and really enjoyed them and met some really interesting people.

I really like the later starting age for school here in Germany. I´ve got a friend in England working with 6 year olds who have "failed" at reading and I find it so sad. Maybe if they´d started later it would have clicked more quickly and they wouldn´t be turned off learning so early in life.

We´ve got our heating on now and after the walk to Kindergaten this morning I think I´ll have dig my gloves out - it was freezing.