Your fears are real and I feel you. However, you could make arrangements to take them home once a while. They will naturally build interest in their roots. That's what my parents did for me and my siblings and today we are hooked on going home.
Thanks for sharing your experience of the connection of your kids with grandparents, cousins and others from your home country. Sincerely, I believe that it is what it is, it is normal for the kids not to have that enthusiasm the same way they would have if they were physically near the others and talking to them. However, as things are changing and even when people are staying in the very same country, sometimes the connection simply is not there, so for me it doesn’t matter if you are kilometers far away from them or near them, kids are growing differently today. But at the same time, this is blood and its thicker than water. One thing is you have made the best decision of your life for your kid’s lives, to relocate. Words will never be enough to them to show you their appreciation of how you are building their future. Stay blessed chioma!
Yours is a very grounding perspective indeed. The part about not even having the connection despite being in the same country is so true these days. Thank you so much!
Hi Chioma, I feel the same way too , I live in New Zealand we've been here for over 10yrs . From time to time my husband and I reflect on our relocation decision and the thought that we may have robbed our children that connection with their extended family crosses our mind as well. I guess visiting family in nigeria might help although it comes with a cost. Also having Grandparents to come over could also help. I guess we can only try 🤷 it's better to keep encouraging those connections and am sure the kids would come to appreciate every thing when they are older.
We really can only try. Most of what we do as parents feels sometimes like sowing in the wild and hoping that when the kids grow up, they will appreciate the effort. Thank you.
As they are still young maybe one of the holidays you bring them to Nigeria it'll form a much more organic relationship. It is much easy to flow with someone on phone when you've already had a physical connection. Even a month vacation can make a big difference
@@lifewithchioma yes sister ... Cause once they have met they will always have something to talk about ..maybe about an experience they had together as they visited or something or about a mutual friend or about an outing they did together.. na talk day bring talk
Regarding your travel with 2 toddlers,I can only imagine brcause I travelled ti the UK with a toddler many years ago and it was a challenge. We raised our children here they also do not much of Igbo but we used ti take them home often when they were younger. Now,they are adults,they enjoy going on their own abd sometimes on their own. But then,we are only 6 hours flight to Nigeria,so it's easier to travel often.
I love to hear that your kids now travel on their own. I am hoping that mine will consider maintaining the bonds with their cousins important enough to brave the 22 hour flight when they are older. Thank you.
I do understand where you are coming from, I moved to England 2 years ago and I can already appreciate that it's important for kids to connect with our African roots and allow them to Choose in the future where their heart truly belong😊
Hmmm! i feel your worry. My elder brother does well to visit yearly or every other year with the kids and they at least get to have personal connection with relatives (even though the stay might not be that long). It leaves a lasting impression on the kids minds and they would normally want to reconnect through any means possible to maintain it. Over time it has gotten better... you will be fine okay
Here for the lessons. Fantastic topic. I can relate with everything you are saying. Do you have language classes for your mother tongue online? For us East Africans, I know there are Swahili classes but not heard of any traditional language classes. Maybe also try hanging out with other Nigerians who speak Igbo a lot of the time (if possible). Please make the video about your flight with 2 toddlers.😊
While family is great, I tend to find that close friends gathered through the journey of life would equally impact your kids mightily. After high school, would be a great thing to give your kids the option of staying in Nigeria or Australia. That way, it wouldn’t feel that you “forced” onto them the Oz way.
Consider a long term visit by a grandparent, this can be helpful with regard to language and some aspects of culture. Take them to Igbo community gatherings if available where you stay. I wouldn’t support traveling to Nigeria for now due to the many negative news about security….till when things get better. Also, increasing the frequency of video calls to their cousins if possible, can help.
I was just discussing this with my hubby yesterday, we just have to reminding them of their root, and make them join cultural groups in your environment
They will be Australian and Nigerian. As long as you keep the door open for them to talk to you about their historic culture, they will come asking in time, probably in their early 20s
My fear of moving to Australia we making plans and the thought in my head decided we only going for some years i know a family in Germany they send the kids to a private boarding secondary school in Nigeria and would go back to Germany during the long holidays
I wish I could do that boarding school thing with mine but having had a bad experience in boarding school myself and given the worrisome security situation in Nigeria, it will make for many sleepless nights for me, but I see how that could have been an ideal arrangement were things different. Thank you.
Okay, first of all this why I think you're the mother of the year . I won't talk from a parents' point of view because I'm not one, but I can talk from the perspective of a child who wasn't close to cousins or roots. The simple way to say this is, "I and my siblings after we discovered the power of family, we promised ourselves that no matter what happens we would never deny our kids of that strange power that we were denied". Infact we are having a get together this year (everyone, away and home) because we're (all the individual cousin involved not even our parents) trying to correct that. Trust me that bond is fundamental. If it doesn't happen now,at some point in the future, that's what the kids will be trying to bridge. This is the little I can say.
I know this might be impracticable due to security situation in Nigeria, but were it practicable, sending the kids back to Nigeria for the 3-year junior school and having them spend the school break in Nigeria could be an option. Three solid years in Nigeria could help them do alot of catching up. But then this is a very risky endeavour and you will never forgive yourself if something goes wrong. Secondly, you could put them on a sustained diet of Nigerian literature. That would atleast keep them informed on the culture and our ways of life. Who knows, they could develop interest and find creative ways of engaging with their roots. By the way, good work work you are doing here. Keep it up and continue to ignore the once in a while bad energy you are getting.
Thank you so much. I have thought about that too but like you pointed out, that security bit will not make me sleep well at night😊. The suggestion about Nigerian literature is great! Thank you again.
Do you know any Nigerians here? When I was young, there was a group of kids from my native country that I visited once a month or two. But I didn't see them after primary school. I'm watching RUclips videos in my native language and I don't understand a thing.
There are Nigerians here, but everyone seems busy and I find that the language thing is a common struggle for most other parents here. I can only imagine the emotions of not understanding your native language. Thank you for your comment.
Hi chioma, am Voke from Nigeria would love to study nursing in Australia but I have just enough money to pay for my first year of nursing school. Do you think I can work and be able to pay for the second year of nursing school by myself in Australia or do you know anyone who can loan me the money for school fees and immediately I start working I will pay back.
Hi, I know that people have been able to raise their tuition here in Australia but it is very difficult and requires careful planning and tons of resilience. I don't know any agencies that loan money for fees unfortunately.
Hi how are you can I ask you something I’m 11 class and I want to move to Australia for my 12th grade I want to study in public school should I pay. ? Do you know how much I should pay? I will be so thankful if you help me out !!
I am not very familiar with international transfers at high school level unfortunately, but the education department's website for the State you want to travel to might have the answer to your question. Thanks
Travelling is great but that 22 hours and the cost hinders frequent travel. I will look into the Igbo community and see if I can peel myself of my couch long enough to attend any events haha. Thank you!
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Definitely, every choice has merit and demerit. We just have to face it and manage our choices.
True. It's always a balancing act.
Your fears are real and I feel you. However, you could make arrangements to take them home once a while. They will naturally build interest in their roots. That's what my parents did for me and my siblings and today we are hooked on going home.
I am glad you are talking from a lived experience. Gives me hope! Thank you.
Hi, thanks alot for these information, I want to hear your story about your flight experience with your babies.
You're welcome. I will share that story soon.
Thanks for sharing your experience of the connection of your kids with grandparents, cousins and others from your home country. Sincerely, I believe that it is what it is, it is normal for the kids not to have that enthusiasm the same way they would have if they were physically near the others and talking to them. However, as things are changing and even when people are staying in the very same country, sometimes the connection simply is not there, so for me it doesn’t matter if you are kilometers far away from them or near them, kids are growing differently today. But at the same time, this is blood and its thicker than water. One thing is you have made the best decision of your life for your kid’s lives, to relocate. Words will never be enough to them to show you their appreciation of how you are building their future. Stay blessed chioma!
Yours is a very grounding perspective indeed. The part about not even having the connection despite being in the same country is so true these days. Thank you so much!
Hi Chioma,
I feel the same way too , I live in New Zealand we've been here for over 10yrs . From time to time my husband and I reflect on our relocation decision and the thought that we may have robbed our children that connection with their extended family crosses our mind as well.
I guess visiting family in nigeria might help although it comes with a cost.
Also having Grandparents to come over could also help.
I guess we can only try 🤷 it's better to keep encouraging those connections and am sure the kids would come to appreciate every thing when they are older.
We really can only try. Most of what we do as parents feels sometimes like sowing in the wild and hoping that when the kids grow up, they will appreciate the effort. Thank you.
As they are still young maybe one of the holidays you bring them to Nigeria it'll form a much more organic relationship. It is much easy to flow with someone on phone when you've already had a physical connection. Even a month vacation can make a big difference
Very true about having stronger connections with people you have physically met. Thank you.
@@lifewithchioma yes sister ... Cause once they have met they will always have something to talk about ..maybe about an experience they had together as they visited or something or about a mutual friend or about an outing they did together.. na talk day bring talk
you can organize for someone in your family who can be teaching them the language on a regular basis if you are very busy to do that
Regarding your travel with 2 toddlers,I can only imagine brcause I travelled ti the UK with a toddler many years ago and it was a challenge. We raised our children here they also do not much of Igbo but we used ti take them home often when they were younger. Now,they are adults,they enjoy going on their own abd sometimes on their own. But then,we are only 6 hours flight to Nigeria,so it's easier to travel often.
I love to hear that your kids now travel on their own. I am hoping that mine will consider maintaining the bonds with their cousins important enough to brave the 22 hour flight when they are older. Thank you.
I do understand where you are coming from, I moved to England 2 years ago and I can already appreciate that it's important for kids to connect with our African roots and allow them to Choose in the future where their heart truly belong😊
You are absolutely right. Thank you!
Hmmm! i feel your worry. My elder brother does well to visit yearly or every other year with the kids and they at least get to have personal connection with relatives (even though the stay might not be that long). It leaves a lasting impression on the kids minds and they would normally want to reconnect through any means possible to maintain it. Over time it has gotten better... you will be fine okay
This brings hope. Thanks for the tip.
Yes, this is very real fact. Its hard to know what is right or wrong.
Here for the lessons. Fantastic topic. I can relate with everything you are saying. Do you have language classes for your mother tongue online? For us East Africans, I know there are Swahili classes but not heard of any traditional language classes. Maybe also try hanging out with other Nigerians who speak Igbo a lot of the time (if possible).
Please make the video about your flight with 2 toddlers.😊
Oh yes, language classes! I will see if we have that, great tip. Sure, I will make that video soon. Thank you!
While family is great, I tend to find that close friends gathered through the journey of life would equally impact your kids mightily. After high school, would be a great thing to give your kids the option of staying in Nigeria or Australia. That way, it wouldn’t feel that you “forced” onto them the Oz way.
Consider a long term visit by a grandparent, this can be helpful with regard to language and some aspects of culture. Take them to Igbo community gatherings if available where you stay. I wouldn’t support traveling to Nigeria for now due to the many negative news about security….till when things get better. Also, increasing the frequency of video calls to their cousins if possible, can help.
I like your advice. Thanks!
I reckon you might travel with them to visit your sister and her kids, it grows the bond.
I was just discussing this with my hubby yesterday, we just have to reminding them of their root, and make them join cultural groups in your environment
It's a worry isn't it? Cultural groups and festivals are a great idea. Thank you.
They will be Australian and Nigerian. As long as you keep the door open for them to talk to you about their historic culture, they will come asking in time, probably in their early 20s
Yes, very important to keep the door open. Thank you.
My fear of moving to Australia we making plans and the thought in my head decided we only going for some years i know a family in Germany they send the kids to a private boarding secondary school in Nigeria and would go back to Germany during the long holidays
I wish I could do that boarding school thing with mine but having had a bad experience in boarding school myself and given the worrisome security situation in Nigeria, it will make for many sleepless nights for me, but I see how that could have been an ideal arrangement were things different. Thank you.
Okay, first of all this why I think you're the mother of the year . I won't talk from a parents' point of view because I'm not one, but I can talk from the perspective of a child who wasn't close to cousins or roots. The simple way to say this is, "I and my siblings after we discovered the power of family, we promised ourselves that no matter what happens we would never deny our kids of that strange power that we were denied". Infact we are having a get together this year (everyone, away and home) because we're (all the individual cousin involved not even our parents) trying to correct that. Trust me that bond is fundamental. If it doesn't happen now,at some point in the future, that's what the kids will be trying to bridge. This is the little I can say.
What you said is not little. It is actually a great perspective to keep in mind too. Thank you so much!
Maybe from time to time you should have their grandparents and cousins visit you if possible for that connection to be established.
I know this might be impracticable due to security situation in Nigeria, but were it practicable, sending the kids back to Nigeria for the 3-year junior school and having them spend the school break in Nigeria could be an option. Three solid years in Nigeria could help them do alot of catching up. But then this is a very risky endeavour and you will never forgive yourself if something goes wrong. Secondly, you could put them on a sustained diet of Nigerian literature. That would atleast keep them informed on the culture and our ways of life. Who knows, they could develop interest and find creative ways of engaging with their roots. By the way, good work work you are doing here. Keep it up and continue to ignore the once in a while bad energy you are getting.
Thank you so much. I have thought about that too but like you pointed out, that security bit will not make me sleep well at night😊. The suggestion about Nigerian literature is great! Thank you again.
Do you know any Nigerians here? When I was young, there was a group of kids from my native country that I visited once a month or two. But I didn't see them after primary school. I'm watching RUclips videos in my native language and I don't understand a thing.
There are Nigerians here, but everyone seems busy and I find that the language thing is a common struggle for most other parents here. I can only imagine the emotions of not understanding your native language. Thank you for your comment.
Please share your flight story. That will be my life in a minute.
Thank you
I will, soon. Thanks!
Hi chioma, am Voke from Nigeria would love to study nursing in Australia but I have just enough money to pay for my first year of nursing school. Do you think I can work and be able to pay for the second year of nursing school by myself in Australia or do you know anyone who can loan me the money for school fees and immediately I start working I will pay back.
Hi, I know that people have been able to raise their tuition here in Australia but it is very difficult and requires careful planning and tons of resilience. I don't know any agencies that loan money for fees unfortunately.
Yes, please share your experience nwanyioma
Sure 😊
Hi how are you can I ask you something I’m 11 class and I want to move to Australia for my 12th grade I want to study in public school should I pay. ? Do you know how much I should pay? I will be so thankful if you help me out !!
I am not very familiar with international transfers at high school level unfortunately, but the education department's website for the State you want to travel to might have the answer to your question. Thanks
I think overthinking is involved
I think one they should travel more , then Join the Igbo community in Australia
Travelling is great but that 22 hours and the cost hinders frequent travel. I will look into the Igbo community and see if I can peel myself of my couch long enough to attend any events haha. Thank you!
❤
❤❤❤❤❤
I guess bulling has no color.