Immigrant parents and kids adjusting to a new school

Hi there, it’s Uylander.

Imagine arriving in a new country just as the school year begins—everything unfamiliar, from the weather to the daily routines. You miss your friends, coworkers, and family. Your kids are having a challenge adjusting to the new country and culture, plus they must make friends. Yikes! Let’s look at some ways in which immigrant parents and kids can survive and thrive with relocation.

Personal story:

In 2013, my family and I immigrated to Canada. We came at the beginning of the new school year and were in for a shock, not just regarding the weather. We were looking forward to winter because we wanted to experience snow! Lo and behold, we didn’t understand what -50 meant and how cold it gets here in the north.

So many things were different. Our girls started elementary school in grades six and two, respectively. Adjusting was tough for my older daughter. She lost all her friends and her cousins with whom she went to school. It was a challenging time but thank God we made it through. We cried so many tears together.

Winter Dress Code

We all know that children cost money, but immigrating with children is another thing altogether. You may need to buy two of some items, such as shoes, hats, and gloves. Getting them dressed is a hassle. They need mittens, gloves, jackets, snow pants, hats, winter boots, scarves, and their fundamental clothes. My younger daughter would frequently lose her mittens, gloves, and hats. If your children are younger, show them how to put their mittens in an inside pocket or fasten them to the inside of their jackets.

Childcare is a Challenge

When we lived in Jamaica, I would pick up the kids from school and drop them off at their grandmother, who lived down the road from us. We knew we would not have any familial support, but we did not think it would have been so bad. Eventually, we were able to secure after-school care for both girls when they were in elementary school. For parents who are immigrating, one of the first things you need to do is research the available childcare you can get. If the school provides before and after-school care, you will want to sign up quickly, as there are limited spots.

Shoes

Two sets of shoes were required—indoor and outdoor shoes. When the kids go outside to play in the winter, they need to change from their winter boots to their indoor sneakers when they get back inside. The inside shoes are usually left at school throughout the school year. When my younger daughter was in grade three, a “kind friend” threw her indoor shoes in the toilet. This meant that we had to get her another pair.

Lunches

You must pack a lunch for your kids, E-V-E-R-Y-D-A-Y. The lunch should not require heat as no microwave is available for the kids in elementary school. This was very new to us. In Jamaica, kids get lunch money and can buy lunches at the canteen on the school compound. Some elementary schools provide a hot lunch once per week, for which parents must pay and sign up. When the kids start junior high school, life gets a little bit easier. They may purchase lunch at the school if it provides hot lunches or be allowed to go off the school compound to buy their lunches. In addition, microwaves are available for the kids to use in junior high school.

Textbooks and Stationery

The school provided textbooks to the students, which was a welcome relief. Parents pay a registration fee, and the school provides textbooks to the children. Parents also purchase all other stationery for their children.

Transportation

School buses may provide transportation at an additional cost. If you transport your children to school, you must stay with them until they can enter the building. Therefore, you must drop them off close to when the first bell rings. Unlike Jamaica, the school does not have a security guard or vendors who will look out for them.

Yearly Registration

We had to re-register our kids in the school they attend each year. This is because we reside in a transient town where people come to work and do not necessarily put down permanent roots. This may be particular to our city and not necessarily anywhere else.

Extracurricular Activities

Your child needs exposure to different sports and other activities. Whether this is dance, music lessons, or sports, your child needs their minds and bodies engaged. Review the activities the school offers, and if possible, sign up for the ones your child is interested in. Be aware that there may be a cost for some of these activities.

Get Involved

The transition to a new country is hard especially on older children. They need their parents to get involved at their school. Volunteer to serve on committees, or as a chaperone for school trips. You can also volunteer to serve hot lunches or as a crossing guard for the annual Terry Fox Run.

Final Thoughts

The new school year beckons both children and parents. Starting over in a new country has many rewards and challenges; however, there will be sad times for parents and children as they lose familiar people and things. You are an immigrant first and foremost; you are not afraid of challenges. You can do this!.

Share your experience with me here.

Remember, “he who watches the wind will not sow, he who watches the clouds will not reap” Ecclesiastes 11:4. You were born for greatness. Step out into your greatness so that mankind can benefit from you being here.

For more insightful content on parenting, educational, and intentional living, subscribe to our YouTube channel and visit our website at www.intentionalimmigrants.com