3 Things to Consider When You Move Overseas with Children

A move overseas is a big step for any family. Adults can struggle with the move to a new country and there are big costs to consider. Before anything else, you should visit https://farnorthdallashomes.com/north-dallas-closing-costs to work out all of the hidden costs that come with moving abroad that you may not have thought about yet. Moving abroad, whilst tough on your finances, can be even tougher on your children. That’s why it’s important to make some big decisions before you go. Here are some things you’ll need to consider when you make a move:

1. Is it a good time to move them overseas?

Timing is everything when it comes to a successful move overseas. Many expats will tell you that the younger your children are, the easier it’ll be. This is because children are more adaptable at a young age. They can easily pick up the local language and make it easier to make friends.

If you have older children, there’s no reason why you can’t still move abroad. Older kids will often find the move exciting, as they can appreciate the cultural differences and enjoy the experience of traveling. However, a move can be more difficult if they’re at a stage where they have exams or have only just settled into a new school. You’ll need to consider how to keep things consistent for them.

2. Where will they go to school?

Expats have a number of schooling options, such as:

  • International/British/American schools
  • Local schools
  • Home schooling
  • Hiring a private tutor/teacher

The option you choose will depend on the area you move to. In areas with lots of expats, there are usually more options. For example, you can find an international school in Bangkok, which can give your kids continuity in education. In contrast, it is possible not to be able to find an English-speaking school in some rural areas.

Local schools can vary in quality, depending on the country and location, and if your child gets their qualifications there, then they might not be recognised in your home country. That’s why it’s better to use an international school that follows a standard curriculum.

3. What will they like about the new country?

If you want to get your child enthusiastic about a move, you’ll have to find something that they’ll love about the new place. Your child will be leaving behind their friends, hobbies, and life, so it’s important they have something to look forward to in the new place.

Do some research on your destination. For example, if you are relocating to the Maltese islands, along with looking to buy a property in Malta, you may also want to see if there are local clubs your child can join? Will they be able to enjoy the beaches and the countryside? Can they go swimming several times a week? It’s important that your child knows there are going to be fun things to do when you move overseas so that they have something to look forward to. If you are looking for a place with lots of outdoor activities and water sports, Andorra may just tick all the boxes. Besides, the country offers a solid education and health care system. For better clarity on how things actually are over there, however, you could check social media for expat groups, or contact real estate firms like Relocate to Andorra.

Moving to a new country can be much more complicated if you have children. You want to ensure their lives aren’t disrupted, especially their education, and you’ll want to ensure they have something to look forward to when they arrive. If you do your research before you move and have everything in place, the process will be so much easier.

The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

When it comes to deciding on homeschooling your children, there are many things to consider. Many parents are going this way but often have a hard time deciding if they should continue the home school education. There are things you need to think about when it comes to making a tough decision such as this one. Here are some pros and cons of homeschooling your child to help you decide if it is the right way to go for both your child and even you.

Pros:

Individual Attention for Teaching

One good thing about homeschooling your children is that you can give them the individual teaching they need. This will help them with their studying and help keep their grades in a good place because they won’t have to fight over the teacher’s attention. This will also help you with their essay service and writing services when it comes to teaching your own children to write essays.

Safety

With many school violences going on, if your child is homeschooled, you will be assured of their safety. This is because they will be with you at all times and you won’t have to worry every day if something is going to happen to them.

Cons:

Lack of Social Interaction

One problem with homeschooling your child is that they will not have the social interaction they need and would get if they were in a public school. Many find that student engagement is a valuable part of learning, which you don’t get at home. One thing you can do about this, however, is take them to the park to play with other children after their school session is over.

Missed Experiences

Another problem with homeschooling your children is that they will miss certain experiences they can get from going to a regular school. This means they will not be able to make friends and build those friendships. They will also miss field trips that they would normally get to go to if they were going to school. However, parents can also take their children on field trips themselves so their children won’t miss out on these experiences.

 

This article was written by essay service writer Joan Anderson.

Five Tools For A Successful Homeschooling




Last Saturday,  HAPI (Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands) shared the wonderful benefits of homeschooling with parents who were at the Expo Kid 4 at Rockwell Tent.   Emphasizing the need to lay a strong foundation for our children,  they shared with us the five TOOLS needed for a successful do-it-yourself education.

  1. The RULER represents the learning context.  Homeschoolers can choose the homeschool provider that best fits their family or can opt to be independent of one.  Whatever they choose, there should be Dep Ed supervision.
  2. The HAMMER represents the learning content or the curriculum.  This can be customized as there is a wide range of curricula and textbooks to choose from.
  3. The SANDPAPER represents enrichment activities that hone the talent and skills of the homeschooler.  Homeschoolers can enrol their children in music, arts, or sports programs to best utilize their God-given talents.
  4. The SHARPENING STEEL represents the support group where like-minded and helpful parents share parenting ideas and homeschool help.  The H.O.M.E. Library is one such group that provides encouragement to those who are homeschooling.
  5. The PLUMB LINE represents the purpose which shall guide the family throughout their homeschooling journey. This is the most important tool for all and you, as a parent, must define a clear purpose before you embark on the homeschooling journey.

The PRODUCTS of successful homeschooling also shared their experiences and why they choose to homeschool their children as well.  Louise Mabulo, a finalist in the first Junior Masterchef, shared how difficult it was for her to adjust to the local culture when her family moved to Camarines Sur.  The language barrier left her isolated from her classmates and caused her grades to drop.  Things changed for the better when they started homeschooling through TMA.  Homeschooling has enabled her to pursue her dream of becoming a young chef and has allowed her to meet respected politicians and statesmen.

Paul Tan-Chi, the captain of the Ateneo Blue Eagles before graduating Cum Laude, is also an exceptional example of how successful homeschoolers turn out to be.  He credits his success to the values his parents inculcated in him at a very young age. He remembers being told to “Do your best in everything you do for God’s glory” and to this day, he always asks himself before making decisions, “What will bring glory and honor to God?”

We parents, as BUILDERS of a strong family foundation, must lay the values system of our children.  Undoubtedly, this is not an easy task and we need all the support we can get.   God has given us such wonderful gifts, our children, to nurture and to raise.  With God as the architect, the Master Planner, of our D.I.Y. Homeschooling, let us help our children achieve their full potential for His glory.

Laying A Strong Foundation Through Homeschooling




We’ve been practicing “homeschooling” our children since last year.  They are only 3.5 and 2.5 years old now and are still too young to be enrolled in a homeschool provider.  Since we started our Playhouse Preschool sessions last year, I’ve been scouring the web for materials to use and for themes we can follow.   My little ones always have great fun during our sessions and our discussions about our week’s lessons even extend beyond our morning sessions.

Though I am quite happy that they have already learned much, I often feel that I am driving around in circles and lost without a map.  I often wonder if I am teaching them the right way, if our pace is too slow or too fast, or if I’m using the proper tools.   This is the main reason why hubby and I are currently looking for a homeschool provider who can help guide us in our homeschooling journey.

Thus, when I heard that the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) was holding a seminar at the Expo Kid 4, I asked hubby to take the entire family to Rockwell Tent before 11am.  For an hour or so, we were enlightened about the wonderful benefits of homeschooling and were inspired to lay a strong foundation also for our children.  As Mr. Edric Mendoza put it, “we only have one shot at parenting” and we really should make it our best shot.

After watching the performances of Homegrown, listening to the testimonials of successful homeschoolers – Louise Mabulo and Paul Tan-Chi, and learning more about homeschooling, we are all the more certain that homeschooling is best for our children.

We are looking forward to learning more about the benefits of homeschooling at the Philippine National Homeschool Conference 2012 in the Ortigas Center on May 19, 2012.  Debra Bell, a homeschooling authority and a best-selling author, and Bo Sanchez, one of our country’s best inspirational speakers and author, are slated as keynote speakers.

Active homeschoolers and those who are, like us, aspiring to be homeschoolers are sure to benefit from and to be inspired by the outstanding roster of speakers.  If you would like to know more about HAPI and the upcoming conference, you may email [email protected] or visit www.hapihomeschooler.com.