Hi all,
I hope that this falls into the right category...
I'm a parent of 3 boys, aged 6, 4 and 2. The 6 year old will start year 2 next week and the 4 year old in reception the following week. We live in Berkshire near OH's family and near my friends (OH isn't too social and his best friend is in Cardiff).
Which brings me to my query: We spent a lovely holiday in Swansea and OH was always keen to move away from his hometown, as he feels he missed out on travelling when an injury in his late teens/early twenties messed with his health. Then we met in our mid-twenties and settled here in OH's home town. I feel settled here and call it home (I'm originally from Germany).
I'm really torn re moving, as I somehow think on the plus side that it might be a step forward for us on the housing ladder. Housing in Wales seems more affordable. Also, we all loved the vicinity to the beach and it seemed like a great place to grow up in, HOWEVER, I am really scared what moving (and especially moving school) will be like for our boys. The older one gets along well at school and enjoys going to school, though I wouldn't go as far as saying that he has a real best friend. The kids just seem to all get along really well. When we had school mates over, it kind of went chaotic, as my 6 year old can become quite hyper with other people/children around. Going out to playgrounds, etc, he makes friends and chats up other kids easily. The same, I would say, goes for my 4 year old. HOWEVER, he is very sensitive and was quite sad leaving nursery. But he seemed ok with the thought of school knowing that a few kids from nursery would go up with him. Plus he got to know my older one's teachers very well and seems comfortable with them.
How have other people perceived moving away from family and moving school? Was it overall a positive thing or did it not go as well, as expected?
I'm happy about any personal story, advice, information.
Many thanks xx
PS: Nothing has been decide yet, I just feel, I need to prepare, consider and evaluate well beforehand and one of my go-to-approaches is to collect information on other people's experiences. I'm also aware that other people's experiences cannot guarantee me a positive outcome, but it for sure makes me feel a bit safer once I've made my mind up. xx