Anyone else struggling today and want to go home?

[abroadandmisunderstood]

I can't bear the snow for any longer. I feel utterly lonely and want to live in the uk again, I think.

Just feeling very low. Anyone else need to just get through the day?

Me! Yes, every day!

Come and at least have a laugh with us on this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/living_overseas/924877-Living-the-dream-really

Today I could moan for Switzerland, it is bitterly cold, my dd has tonilitis again and we've just had a quote for moving our belongings. It will cost us around 5k pounds.
Still, like everything else, this too shall pass.

I am moaning for Germany! I am at terrible odds with DH for feeling like this. Problem is, he doesn't even work in Germany anymore so is hardly ever here. He doesn't know what it's like to live on a day to day basis in a small Bavarian town, struggling with the language.

I think you've just identified the problem. You are living somewhere youdon't want to live and mainly without your dh. Is he based somewhere easier? Could you move either to where he spends his time or back to the UK.
Thinking of you, we've all been there at one time or another.
Kreecher

abroadnadmisunderstood - I so feel for you and understand exactly what you are saying. I have been struggling here in my small town near Madrid since pretty much day 1 and I don´t even have the language I can blame as I speak it well

My DH works here but very long hours and he is out all day and into the evening - I never knew I could be so lonely.

Do what Bucharest suggests and have a look at the thread it has certainly managed to put a big smile and my face and that´s saying something.

yes. and its a lovely day here, beautiful weather, DD is down for a nap so i have some time to myself and all i feel like doing is moaning!

i do sometimes think that because we move so much (on our 7th country) we dont really cut ourselves much slack for feeling down or having second thoughts or whatever. we are so used to just getting on with it its like i feel im not allowed to be fed up.

rambling, sorry

Me too, I am lonely up in Northern Spain, no native english speakers and my spanish is so not fluent...

..I underestimated how long it would take and the daily grind without someone to chat to over a cuppa is tough going.

I miss the UK so much and wanna go home, but I will also be sad to leave Spain.

northernspanishlass - where exactly in the North are you? I love the North of Spain (Galicia and Cantabria esp) although I imagine that in many ways it is even more isolating up there than in other parts of the country. I like to go for holidays but I know I would struggle to live there... but it is so strikingly beautiful.

I miss having good friends to chat over a cuppa with so much

I also underestimated how long it would take to settle here. Nearly 4 years now and still an uphill struggle for me. I thought it would be OK as I had previously spent a lot of time in Spain but that was pre-children I didnt realise how much having a baby would impact on how I felt about being away from family and friends. Its hard.

bebespain - I am in Asturias. Yes, it is very beautiful but the language barrier is hard for me. It is very isolating although I am getting to "know" a few people, mainly my childrens' friends' moms.

Been in Spain almost three years. Younger kiddies love it here but eldest daughter doesn't like it and wants to go back to the UK.

Anyway, going back to the UK soon...can't wait. But glad that I can go back knowing that the grass isn't greener..

If it was just me and the hubby, it would be fantastic but it's a different ballgame when you have kids to consider.

Not impressed with the education (primary is great but secondary ?????) Unemployment is so high and job prospects, average wages, opportunities are not as good as the UK.

It's great for retirees but young families, having to work and with children..there's a big question mark.

northernspanishlass - I completely agree with what you say it is a totally different ballgame when you have children.

I am a newbit to education here as DS1 just started "infantil" in September. What I will say though is that I am totally by the length of the school day and the fact that it is seen as totally normal to do a full school day from the age of 3. DS1 is Dec born too so wasn´t even 3 when he started and I am still wrestling with the thought that I´ve done the wrong thing in sending him so young. Trouble is there´s no half-way house, no playgroup etc I realise that he does need interation with other kids but I still think the set-up is overkill

Anyway...

Are you going back to the UK permanently?

abroadandmisunderstood - hope you are feeling OK and having a better week...?

Bebespain - I have a little girl who is 3 in November. At the moment she goes to a small guardaria for 5 hours a day. She seems to enjoy it. We decided that she would go so that she could pick up the spanish language - which she has amazingly. And so that I could have time for me to learn the language too (and clean, iron and cook).

She is able to start at the proper school in September (3anos) which I too am reluctant to do. They do look ever so small but I think that it is quite fun for them. Again it will be 5hrs a day.

I do know of many moms whose children go very early for breakfast and stay for lunch so it's a very long day compared to my kids.

I am sure your little boy is having a fun time. Usually the classes are really small compared to the UK anyway. My son was in 5anos last year and there was only 12 in his class. They do alot of fun stuff and lots of playtime.

I think my son when he went from 5anos in Infants to Year 1 in Primary was a bit of a shock for him. He complains now that he only gets one playtime. But it is a good stepping stone for them to get used to the school system and play with other children.

The UK does have more on offer for toddlers and preschoolers. From what I remember the UK provides a nursery place for 4 year old which is usually 3 hours per day. Not entirely sure but soon I suppose I will have to research. Because yes, we will be moving back permanently. We want to get the eldest into secondary education as she is nearly 12 so it's getting quite crucial for her.

It's a shame that we have to move back as there are so many lovely things about living here, especially the weather. Although we are in the cooler north, it is still better than the UK.

As for your situation - what are the school hours? Mine start at 9.30 till 2.30 and have lunch with me at home. I think it flies by.

Thanks for that spanishlass I have been in turmoil about the whole school thing for ages

My little boy´s school do 9-1 then lunch 1-3 and then 3-4.30
I collect him at 1 and bring him home for lunch then take him back at 3!

I would be much happier if it were like your childrens´school hours, that would seem better somehow. I really don´t like the idea of him being there for 2 hours over lunch (waaay too long) but all the to and froeing isn´t ideal either and its true that those 4 hours in the morning absolutely fly by and before I know it I have to go and pick him up!!

Here (Madrid province) the class sizes are much bigger, there are 27 in my little boy´s class

Bebespain :

Gosh that it a lot of to-ing and fro-ing.

It is a longer day than what mine have. OK for older children but very young it's quite busy. I bet he loves the weekend to relax, ha ha.

I can understand your concerns..but I am sure it is all fun fun fun for him.

If he seems unhappy, you can always take him out as it's not compulsory, is it?

Are you here permanently in Spain?

I now have an intercambio so it is helping me a bit with the langugage but I still miss and want to go back to the UK.