Should I give up on DL and move my kids to New Zealand for a year?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I have a rising 6th grader and 8th grader. They did not do well in the spring with DL. Our school district will be DL at least til November, probably longer.
DH is a New Zealander. School is in-person there. Feeling very tempted to move our kids there for the year. DH would semi-retire, maybe work part-time. I would need to stay in the US because of my job, but would probably take a long vacation around Christmas to spend time with them while they're on holidays. I worry though about what they would lose because the school years don't line up and the order of math and other subjects may be different there. Plus they would lose a lot of US history and social studies. On the other hand, seems like it could be a fantastic, mind-expanding experience for them to spend a year abroad. Thoughts? |
Anonymous
|
Yes I would do this in non-Covid times.
Lived there in the 80s as a child. It was outstanding. |
Anonymous
|
If you could go to, 100%
Being that far would be a hard choice for me. |
Anonymous
|
One thing I would warn you about is if they went back into any more kind of quarantine, they take it more seriously and your family will be confined to the house under threat of arrest.
Also if things get worse I wouldn’t assume you would be allowed into the country at Christmas and if you were they will require you to spend 14 days alone quarantined in a hotel. |
Anonymous
Right, we'd need to spend the first two weeks in quarantine, but that doesn't seem like a huge deal. |
Anonymous
| More likely if things get worse they’ll close the borders. |
Anonymous
To their own citizens? Doubt it. Yes, op, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Before they leave I’d have set dates for your visits to help everyone with the change. |
Anonymous
|
I spent a year of high school in Australia and I did basically lose a year of math and science because if the school year being off. I’d been in accelerated classes so I ended up being on track anyway and it wasn’t a big deal. I wouldn’t worry about other subjects-missing another year of American history/lit in exchange for a less US centric curriculum is a plus in my mind.
I loved my year there and would do it again if I was that age. Would do it for my kids as well if it was an option. |
Anonymous
| I lived there and loved it but I think it will be awkward for your kids to start school there mid-year? Maybe if you had them go after the kiwi summer holidays & stay through next August? Also, I’m not sure you understand how their quarantine works. If they allow you in, you will have to stay in a specific hotel for 14 days and not see your family until that is over, so with the time change I would think you’d need at least a month of holidays to make it worthwhile? |
Anonymous
|
One of my friends is a medical researcher who is a U.S. citizen but in demand enough to open doors. She is moving with her family to Germany this month and plans to stay for a year. They all have to get tested and quarantine for a few weeks - no big deal.
She lost her parent to Covid-19 and decided to leave the country, taking her substantial abilities with her. I will miss her. |
Anonymous
| Have you discussed this possibility with your kids? |
Anonymous
| This is your husband's home. Of course, there would be nothing wrong with moving there. There is a distinct possibility, however, that you will not be able to go see them at Christmas. Why not move there yourself? |
Anonymous
| Sounds great, but will they let you all in? |
Anonymous
| Do your kids have New Zealand passports or will they get them once there? If they don't have them, what about entry as a tourist? Won't they have to leave and return with NZ passports once they get them? |
Anonymous
|
Travel for you at Christmas to New Zealand may be sketchy.
Don't assume you can just fly over there particularly since you are not a resident. New Zealand has serious entry limits. They do not allow illegal immigrants like we do. Why don't you quit your job and join husband. |