So you want to move to Mexico… but what about the kids and schooling? I wrote a bunch on this topic years back, as no one had at the time and the now awesome teen had a great experience going to a small, private bilingual school in Mazatlan, Mexico.
He started in first grade, then did half a year of second grade and was completely fluent in Spanish at the end of approximately 6 months.
Here is an article I wrote that is still very relevant today, one of the first ever written on the subject for the Web: Sending a Child to School in Mexico.
1. Be Open to Change
This can’t be emphasized enough: flexibility is the key to your success as a ‘living abroad parent’.
Yes you need to give something a fair try, and attempt to make one of your chosen goals a success… but if it does not work out, your family is being stressed to a level that is not comfortable, your child is showing signs of distress that are not the norm for him or her… bail!
Leave that school, do projects online, move to a new location… whatever it takes to find the spot that is going to be a good fit, and make the experience memorable for all.
2. Search out Small Schools
Small is better, even if is a not highly rated school. Less teacher-to-student ratio and many less hoops to jump through, fewer people to impress and to have to interact with when you and your child (or children) can hardly – most likely – speak the language.
The now awesome teen did a little schooling in Baja, at a public school that was for disadvantaged kids. Why? I wanted a break from homeschooling and felt that there was no reason to not give it a try.
Plus, I am huge on enculturation i.e. adapting to the culture you have chosen to become a part of for whatever length of time.
3. Help Out at the School
Help in whatever way is needed, that you can. For the private school, attended by wealthy Mexican families for the most part and wealthy American children… I did as many play dates as we could, speaking English to the Mexican kids to help them learn.
When other American children enrolled, I tried to be a support to the parents and a friend to the kids, having play dates even if my son wasn’t overly-enthused. To make friends you have to be a friend.
In the Baja school, I did a fundraiser, asking expats to bring items needed at the school after asking the teachers to put what they wanted on a ‘wish list’.
4. Take Breaks When You Need To
If the first week of classes is really hard on your child, who has difficulties making friends back home much less in another country where they are speaking a foreign language, plan a special day and skip school.
Spend a day staying home and get back into a comfort zone before heading out into the scary world again. Or plan something fun for the weekend and make it known it is a reward for hanging in there and not refusing to attend even though it’s a difficult transition.
If your child is miserable in more ways than one and you don’t like the school either… re-read tip #1 above 🙂
Another article I wrote years back is of our summer spent in Morelia, Mexico where the now awesome teen did a month long program in arts, dance and music; it was brilliant!
The article gives information on summer programs for kids, and other things to do in and around the city: Travel to Mexico with Children: From Tijuana to Morelia.
I wish you the best of luck with whatever adventure you choose, Molly
More Articles on Mexico:
Tips & Resources for Families Wanting to Live in Mexico
Free Baja, Mexico Travel Guide
Trials & Travails of an Expat Family in Mexico
Fun Things To Do in Mazatlan, Mexico
Molly, great article. School immersion is so valuable, it’s important to at least give it a try. We found a sweet little bilingual school here in Ajijic, which ultimately did NOT work for us (too many of the kids spoke English & the teacher didn’t include her gringo student in many things), but I’m really glad we tried. Actually my daughter made a lot of friends and learned a ton about Mexican culture, so I’d call it a partial success. Part of the problem was my daughter’s age. This school would have been awesome if she were younger.
Again, great post. Off to read the Morelia one now… 🙂
So get it, and our experience was far from perfect, but definitely was easier I think since he was younger than Scout, not to mention how much easier it is to pick-up the language the younger they are… a huge part of his success.
Have I shared the story of after our first day, at a little restaurant to celebrate with a late lunch, he told me “I’m NEVER going back to that school again!”… and about how he was told, given some verbal scolding, and something about not getting to eat lunch? Shared that? LOL.
Seriously, as expat parents we have to give ourselves credit as much as our kids… as we deal with the bs as much (sometimes more so) than they do 🙂