Hi all,
I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would post a new experience on it.
I have a 14 year old daughter and a 6 year old daughter. We moved to Canada in July 2007.
It was a hard struggle trying to convince my eldest to move to Canada. My hubby and I knew it was the best thing for the kids and us, but leaving behind your friends and family at such a delicate age is tough on them.
It was hard saying goodbye, with lots of tears, we were wondering if this was the right thing to do after all.
We moved here in the summer holidays and stayed in an appartment in downtown Halifax for the first 5 weeks while we familiarised ourselves with the area and looked for a house and work.
It was a tough 5 weeks as the kids had no friends and we were in an appartment, so I had to organise days out and keep them amused.
Once we moved into our house and they started school, it became a bit easier as they made friends fairly quick (they were the only Brits in school, and the accent helps!)
My eldest cried quite alot as she missed friends and family back in England, but we kept comforting her and telling her she would settle and realise what a better life she could have here.
I was fearful she would return to England by herself after leaving school. I was convinced she missed it so much there and she didn't want to live here.
Well, when we came into financial difficulty early this year, we sat and spoke with the kids and told them we may have to move back to England. What a reaction we got - they burst into tears and left the table!
I think the reality of moving back didn't seem so good now that they had new friends and a new life here.
They had both come to love it here in Canada and didn't want to return.
My eldest told me that her and a couple of friends here were planning to rent a small appartment when they left school and she wouldn't be able to do that if we moved back.
So, it is tough at first. There will be tears and tantrums, but kids do adjust easily and they do make new friends.
You have to do what you think is right for you and your family. Hopefully we did, and that's all you can hope for!
Good luck all
