Teenagers adjusting to life in the USA

[daisy16 0]

Sometimes parents got to do what they feel is right for THEIR child.

Being made fun of, and put down by people everyday because your from a different County is not a good social interaction.

What is that teaching them?

I agree.

Bored kids get into trouble. Even if they just goof around in class, teachers/admin get mad at them. If they skip class, they're out cruising around, getting into mischief. What will occupy their time? Work? Drugs?

College is a different form of socialization that High school, but it sure is better than the negative socialization of skipping school.

[Jasman0717 9]

[giddy34 0]

My teenage daughter is currently doing her GED she will be done in like 6 weeks and then she will probly go to uni. Not sure yet but the GED is a great option for her as she didnt want to return to a new school. Down side of that we live in a small community and she will not meet to many friends her age unlike my son who loves going to school here hes got a heap of mates he rides the bus with and he is happy now. He did have a small adjustment period were he was angry and pissed most days but now the smiles are here . Happy days again.... Just takes a while...

[ctjwa 0]

Being made fun of, and put down by people everyday because your from a different County is not a good social interaction.

What is that teaching them?

Well, to take the flip side, staying at home under mommy's protective wing isn't very good social interaction either. The world isn't always candy canes and sugar plums, but I'll agree high school can be especially cruel.

If you choose to pursue the GED route, which may in fact be the best choice academically, I would definitely keep them involved as much as possible in other ways -- working at a restaurant, volunteering somewhere, playing on a sports team -- anything to keep them immersed in american culture. They can only benefit from maturing and growing before going to college. There was an article this past weekend in the WSJ about how more and more american kids are starting to defer enrolment to take a "gap year" between high school and college. I like the idea, it takes kids off the straight line track to graduation and gives them a year to learn about themselves, what they're interested in, and where they may want to go in life.

[ChristinaM 0]

A gap year has been a pretty standard thing in the UK for some time now, and it does kids a world of good. Some kids travel, others work, some do things like Camp America, and there are more and more specific gap year placements available now.

It's nice that the US is catching up on the benefits of a specific gap year (not just a year sat on your butt doing nothing ).

[Peggy 1]

Being made fun of, and put down by people everyday because your from a different County is not a good social interaction.

What is that teaching them?

Well, to take the flip side, staying at home under mommy's protective wing isn't very good social interaction either. The world isn't always candy canes and sugar plums, but I'll agree high school can be especially cruel.

If you choose to pursue the GED route, which may in fact be the best choice academically, I would definitely keep them involved as much as possible in other ways -- working at a restaurant, volunteering somewhere, playing on a sports team -- anything to keep them immersed in american culture. They can only benefit from maturing and growing before going to college. There was an article this past weekend in the WSJ about how more and more american kids are starting to defer enrolment to take a "gap year" between high school and college. I like the idea, it takes kids off the straight line track to graduation and gives them a year to learn about themselves, what they're interested in, and where they may want to go in life.

Who said these kids were under their mommies protective wings?

Just becasue some have chosen to put them in GED instead of regular high school.

Is your child in the US with you?

[dalegg 143]

My son is 15 and he still hasn't adjusted to life in America- and he was born here.

[Jaylen Brit 0]

My son is 15 and he still hasn't adjusted to life in America- and he was born here.

My 10 yr old is quite 'young' in some respects so Im not sure if the 'more maturity' aspect will come into play at all - she can be very (possibly over-) sensitive but I want her to deal with the world as it IS not some idealised vversion where no-one teases or bullies anyone else.

Of course I dont want her to be bullied over being 'different' (English), but if it happens she needs to know how to deal and cope with it (obviously I'll jump in at the school end if it becomes a real issue) - IMO this will make her a stronger person. She has be self-reliant, and confident, because that's all part of growing up.

I've no doubt we'll have the 'I want to go HOME!' days, and the 'I want to live with Daddy!' days - but again that's something we'll get thru. My ex and I have arranged that she will make yearly visits in summer break to the UK for 3 or 4 weeks and every other xmas, as well as regular phone calls, webcam, email etc to him and her friends here, so her connection to 'home' won't be lost.

Its important to me that she settles asap - because I think it will help her, and me, to feel a part of our new life - and school will be an integral part of that.

[ctjwa 0]

Well said Jay, that sounds like an excellent approach. B)

[giddy34 0]

The GED keeps my daughter very busy .. She is loving it ..Its a good choice for her mabye look into it and who says kids need to be involved in every thing lifes hard enough specially if you have moved from a differnt culture and I think personally those other kids are bullies and hes having a hard time my son copes all that ####### as well they call him kangaroo boy sometimes ..I know i shouldnt laugh because hes been called alot of other choice names as well ....I said to my son they are ignorant and probly havent been out of there county and he is a good kid and he has an advantage over them he knows lots about another country.. hes only 10 school is creul over here...if your different