For starters, thank you to all of you for the thoughtful emails and messages in response to my last post. I have appreciated them so much.
I was asked the other day whether I was “loving it” here. Not yet, I said. I’m liking it quite a lot, but I’m still working on the falling in love part. And as I have come to realize, it doesn’t matter if I love it. It only matters if my children are happy and if they love it. Another realization I had completely underestimated.
I started to understand the depth of my concerns only after the kids started school last week. I had no idea how much I would be affected by how they would fare. I hadn’t even noticed that I had been holding my breath. I wanted, and needed, so desperately for them to be warmly received in a safe and happy place. But I also was praying that they would adapt easily.
(Hilarious picture of Julien, age 100, for the celebration of the 100th day of school at his awesome new school!)
It’s hard for any child to start a new school, but it can be even harder in a completely new country. I’m happy to report that for the most part, the transition has been wonderful. The schools have welcomed us with open arms, the teachers have been thoughtful and kind, and our kids have been happy for the return to a routine & to sports teams. But not all three of them has had a smooth transition, and she and I have cried together as she has reminded me of just how hard it can be to be in middle school in a new school. As one of my new coworkers just said, ‘girls can be such cheeky tarts at that age.’ That made me smile; what a great expression.
We’re working on it; and I know it will get better with time. But make no mistake, it cracks my heart wide open and fills me with tremendous guilt when I think that it was my decision that led to this pain she is feeling. And yes, I’m working on that part too. 🙂
In other news, it took some work (some might even call it stalking,) for me to track down a great new house for us to move to at the beach. The house where we have been living is very nice, but there are no other young families near us and it’s in a bit of an industrial neighborhood. If you’re going to move to NZ for a year, you might as well live at the beach, right?
The house is beautiful and just steps from the beach – the kids are delighted with their new “front yard” and I’m so happy with this modern beach house in a family-friendly neighborhood. We move September 15th, and I only wish it were sooner.
Last week I also started my first week in my new office, which may have been the single best pre-move decision I made (to find a place and call ahead.) Thank goodness I have found a place of my own, with my own coworkers (fellow business owners who are sharing this office too.) I have been able to get back on top of things at work, feel productive again, and just as importantly meet other women with similar ambitions!
As a family we have been out and about discovering this spectacular country. Day trips, overnight trips, most of which I am sharing on Instagram and FB, so I won’t bore you with too many details here. I’m starting to work on our travel plans for the next six months – trips to Fiji (maybe in August because it’s cold here,) and to the South Island to see the penguins, the glowworms, and to my great despair a non-negotiable request by Lucas to go bungee jumping.
As I told Jesse, if Lucas is going to dive headfirst off a bridge, we are going to go to the most expensive place we can find that has the most number of success stories around. And I will look the other way as he dives off that bridge!
Frederique
Latest posts by Frederique (see all)
- It just takes time - July 11, 2019
- Whether to stay in NZ - June 12, 2019
- The Little Man - May 10, 2019
- Running a business from 8500 miles away - May 2, 2019
Frederique,
Ned Williams here. Thanks so much for your insightful posts. While we are all jealous and in awe of you and your families’ fantastic bravery and willingness to take on a great adventure, yourposts help us to understand the practical considerations and worries that you face.. Let me reassure you that our children are often far more resilient than we parents give them credit for. I am constantly amazed by kids. Lukas is a great one. I have so much confidence in him. While I have not had the pleasure of getting to know your other two, I feel so so so confident that they will adjust and have an amazing experience. My only worry is that Mater Dei will not live up to the education Lucas receives this year. Good luck. Know that all of us in Griffinland are thinking of you guys.
Best
Ned
Hi Ned, and thank you so much for your thoughtful response.
It means a lot, especially coming from you!
The truth is that there are so many emotions flying around here for all of us; I’m looking forward to the dust settling a little bit.
I promise you Lucas will be the first in line at school drop off next Fall. He misses Mater Dei every day!
Bungee jumping!? Wow! So brave! Can’t wait for those photos. You have to face him to get some good ones. :). Amazing how our children become a part of us and can totally relate to your heart breaking open. I know after this year is up you will all be so thankful for the experience! Sending love from DC!
Thank you! I know it too. Just trying to be honest about the harder side of moving to the most beautiful place on the planet! 🙂
You are a superb writer. Keep it up.
Thanks Bob!
Alors écoute,
1) Tu es la meilleure des mamans (ok, Soph aussi)
2) C’est une aventure ex tra or di naire que vous leur offrez, même si aujourd’hui, ils ne le savent pas.
3) D’accord avec le prof. de Lucas : les enfants s’adaptent très vite et,
4) Encore plus vite s’ils sentent leurs parents heureux.
Je te parie que vous reviendrez à reculons, tristes de ne pas pouvoir rester plus longtemps. Alors, profite de tous les instants et ne doute pas de la décision que vous avez prise avec Jesse. C’est une chance inouïe pour vous cinq, et beaucoup de vos amis aimeraient être à votre place.
PS: Bungee jumping????? Nous avions vu des gens sauter du “Edith Cavell Bridge” … Il faut aimer les sensations fortes pour le faire … peut-être qu’au dernier moment Lucas changera d’idée.
Merci Maman! Je t’aime tres fort. <3 <3 <3