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07/05/2009, 20:30 Cathy Joined on 07/03/2006 Bordeaux area Posts 2,884 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed? Panda - I am intrigued because I am educating my children here and have to make decisions about their future (still likely to be here in France). What school year was your son in when he arrived and what school year is he in now?  Also do you feel that his English up to scratch to re-integrate in the UK?   Cathy    Report

07/05/2009, 20:52 NormanH Joined on 10/04/2008 Posts 1,967 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed? You have not failed! you have succeeded. You have understood that the French educational system is the most stultified in Europe. I know. I worked in it at various levels, and increasing degrees of frustration for many years. Anyone old and ill who comes to France as a health tourist (and there are more and more) might just have a good reason for being here (until the next round of cuts) Anyone young and fit with children who will need to earn a living would have to be mad to believe that the system here offers anything other than a controlled conformity leading to non -thinkers (but only of French nationality with a grandmother ins the cemetery) getting a non-job in local administration or as as a teacher handing  on the same poison    Report

07/05/2009, 21:01 Anton Redman Joined on 23/08/2004 Gironde Posts 2,809 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed? I would not totally agree with the above. If I had the money I had now and drive I had when I was any age between 13 and 53 I think I could make serious money in France on the other hand I think I could make a better return for my efforts in the UK.       Report

08/05/2009, 11:17 just john Joined on 28/04/2005 Dordogneshire/Charente borders Posts 1,538 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed? At least you are aware of the options, if there were any concerns maybe it would be, how your children handle another change; In the end, as they say, ''the race is only with yourself''. I also believe that as you have shown, people prove themselves despite their education as much as because of it. I wish you best of luck in your choice. the real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, and blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday    Report

08/05/2009, 13:18 Panda Joined on 20/02/2009 Posts 283 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed?  Cathy wrote: Panda - I am intrigued because I am educating my children here and have to make decisions about their future (still likely to be here in France). What school year was your son in when he arrived and what school year is he in now?  Also do you feel that his English up to scratch to re-integrate in the UK?   Hello Cathy My son was 3 when he started in school here and is now 9 (CM1).  His spoken english is of course good, he can read to a good level for his age, Harry Potter being his favourite.  His written work is not great at all and he will need extra tuition to catch up.  Due to his birthday being in October though he will have 2 years at junior in the UK before senior school. Thanks all for the good wishes!    Report

08/05/2009, 15:38 Patf Joined on 23/08/2004 SW Gers Posts 3,034 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed? Panda - look at it from a positive angle: you've given your son the advantage of experiencing life in a different culture. To say nothing of being bi-lingual. He should develop as an adaptable person who has the background to evaluate what he will find in the UK. And you are starting again at a good time - before the teenage years, when social ties become more important. When our chidren were young we lived in Singapore for a few years and this experience has definitely broadened their outlook.    Report

08/05/2009, 15:56 woolybanana Joined on 27/08/2007 Vendée Posts 3,990 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed? Education takes many forms and for a child to have had the chance to live another culture is a massive bonus. Large chunks of what traditonal school teaches are crap anyway so not necessary, as is the myth of socializing. The only problem is that he will have missed out on a load of English stuff so you may find private education better (if the dosh is there).    Report

08/05/2009, 16:02 KathyF Joined on 17/02/2007 Mid-Wales & Southern Manche (50) Posts 243 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed? It's most definitely not failure to change your mind for good and valid reasons, Panda. You came to France because you thought it was the best thing for you and yours at the time and you are returning to the UK for the same reason. I wish you and your son the very best of luck as you settle back into life in the UK. Kathy    Report

08/05/2009, 16:10 powerdesal Joined on 07/01/2006 Abu Dhabi, UAE (from Sept 2010) Posts 3,221 Re: Giving Up and Going Back - Have I Failed? Having lived around the World since 1968, and having 'dragged' children with us (our mantra was 'people are portable') I would say that you should have no problems with your offspring. Exposure to and education in different cultural settings makes a 'more rounded' individual (IMHO). It certainly has made our children better adults (I hope) albeit less tolerant of small minded parochialism. Retirement lasted a whole 7 days !    Report

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