Would you bring your kids to live in Japan?

Is Japan a good place for a child to grow and learn?


  • Total voters
    12
  • Poll closed .
Kyoto Returnee,
How old is your son? That will play some role in his adjustment.

I also suggest looking at this site for more advice and info.
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/cgi/discus/discus.cgi

Best of luck, whatever you choose.

G'day Glenski:

11 Months, one year on March 17.

The first leap would be a day care centre which of course I am very worried about as I have seen certain standards whilst their..

My wife generally defends anything Japanese as being the "best".

However, the day care part also has her worried, although this is also be a case of handing over and not seeing/knowing, etc.

It's also a concern of mine, but generally, we could not avoid if we returned as we would both be working full time..

Ahhhhhhh .. So many things to think about both positive and negative..

It feels easier here, obvioulsy because we are here (Australia) and used to evrything..

Returning would obviously be a huge leap, the returning part is well practiced, by with my son on the road, and I'm so confused here..

Would like some more female opinions both from japanese and non Japanese.

My problem is, I know to many people in mixed Causcasian/Japanese marriages that all departed due to their concerns for their kids, but then again, that's just them and I'm sure their are same scenarios to match where all is good in JP.
 
Your wife should realize there are differences in quality among daycares in Japan. Mine does. Ask her what she thinks of private vs. government/city run places? One thing is cost. Another is facilities. My kid went to a private one for half a year before we relocated. Then he went to one sponsored by YMCA. Never had a problem with either, but my wife's friend works at one and even SHE admits they are not all perfect. Your wife should feel the same, but instead of antagonizing her, ask her to compare the types in Japan. Government/City run ones will have a longer waiting line even though they are cheaper.

As for language concerns, my kid gets all his English from me, and the little one is bilingual as anyone can be. It's the socialization kids need (plus the breaking of the apron strings from mama).
 
Day care = Day Orphanage.

Why do you operate from a default position of having someone else raise your kid?
 
Mike,
That's a bit harsh. When we sent our kid to daycare initially, my wife and I both worked.

She had to quit when we relocated, and right now we both felt it was more important for him to continue the interaction with other kids, plus learn things that we couldn't teach him, plus get him out doing things more than just my wife could.

Sorry if you think that's being an awful parent.
 
Day care = Day Orphanage.

Why do you operate from a default position of having someone else raise your kid?


Maybe we should take on your counselling services!

We are busy and need to work to support our lives so Day Care, as far as I know is a part of normal life nowadays..

We've spent a year bringing up our joy at home, so that's lucky for us we could do that..

Apart from that, the day care centre would probably not be full time as I will be self employed, possibly from home or office..

Take it easy Mike;-)
 
If I had kids I would take them to Japan because it would be a wonderful experience and they would learn some Japanese. It's a great idea!
 
Maybe we should take on your counselling services!

We are busy and need to work to support our lives so Day Care, as far as I know is a part of normal life nowadays..


I don't quibble about people putting their kids in daycare if both parents have to work to make ends meet. It's the ones who dump their kids in daycare so both can work to maintain their lifestyle that I have issues with.
 
I don't quibble about people putting their kids in daycare if both parents have to work to make ends meet. It's the ones who dump their kids in daycare so both can work to maintain their lifestyle that I have issues with.

Each to their own I guess, but definitely agree their..

My sister used to run her own day care in Sydney, catering mainly to the who's of who's and that's exactly what they did. Dumped their kids so they could continue their activities..

Daycare is definitely a convenient thing if you need it, and agree with Glenski on the interaction and communication is good..

Definitely wouldn't want my son in full time and would try to limit as much as possible, afterall, their will come a time where he has to go fishing and boating with his Dad👍
 
If I had kids I would take them to Japan because it would be a wonderful experience and they would learn some Japanese. It's a great idea!

A holiday and living is a difference.

Have you ever been to Japan?
 
I don't quibble about people putting their kids in daycare if both parents have to work to make ends meet. It's the ones who dump their kids in daycare so both can work to maintain their lifestyle that I have issues with.
FWIW, ArmandV,
My wife loves to work. She doesn't have to, but she wants to.

The additional money isn't bad, either, especially since our son will need it for whatever schooling comes up. It's not any extravagant lifestyle on our part, I can assure you, but I can see what you mean if that is the case for some people.

Besides, socking it away early helps down the road. So, there are more options than just the two you listed.
 
Kyoto Returnee, I'm a bit confused about your situation...

In some posts, it seems that you're on the edge of a bitter divorce... in others, it seems that you're just considering a move to Japan with your family. I don't mean to pry but I'm a bit concerned about this...
 
Kyoto Returnee wrote:
My wife generally defends anything Japanese as being the "best".

However, the day care part also has her worried, although this is also be a case of handing over and not seeing/knowing, etc.
Not seeing or knowing what? Any decent parent (and yes, I lump both of you in that category) will undoubtedly do a rundown on the daycare center, pay a visit, ask questions there (and elsewhere). I don't get the fear exuded here (other than normal jitters).

What exactly is she worried about?

You also have not answered my other question about her knowledge/concerns about government vs. private daycares. Are the two of you on speaking terms, or are you just avoiding me here?
 
Yes it still exist!

Start - FBC


Fantastic!

I think the last batch was a massive load of stuff for Halloween which we got for the Juku.

Brings back fond memories

What exactly is she worried about?

Pretty much the same as I.

Firstly handing our son over to a third party for care, secondly worrying about the quality of day care cntres for in Japan for children below two years.

The last part of your question is rather personal, so probably best, with a few other curious on the prowl, to refrain.
 
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You're going to have to get over the notion of "handing your kid over" to someone. Check out the place. Your wife can do that easily.

Ok, fair enough about the last question, but how about my Q on government vs. private daycares? Third time I'm asking!
 
Fantastic!
I think the last batch was a massive load of stuff for Halloween which we got for the Juku.
Brings back fond memories
Pretty much the same as I.
Firstly handing our son over to a third party for care, secondly worrying about the quality of day care cntres for in Japan for children below two years.
The last part of your question is rather personal, so probably best, with a few other curious on the prowl, to refrain.
My sister in law worked as a manager at a day car in Australia for the ages you are talking about and no offence to her or the day care in Australia, but I would rather have my kids in day care here. You have to understand that some things here in Japan are better than other countries as your wife says and it took me a long time to accept. We had many a fight over this fact.

I will add that I don't aggree with children below the age of 12 walking to school , especially on Japans narrow streets. But that is something we can do by driving them to school everyday.
 
I will add that I don't aggree with children below the age of 12 walking to school , especially on Japans narrow streets. But that is something we can do by driving them to school everyday.
Not everyone has a car in Japan or a driver's license or the schedule to do that. Where I live, we are seriously thinking about getting a (gulp!) second car just to manage that situation. NOT something I enjoy contemplating.
 
Not everyone has a car in Japan or a driver's license or the schedule to do that. Where I live, we are seriously thinking about getting a (gulp!) second car just to manage that situation. NOT something I enjoy contemplating.
This is something that I don't like and I wanted my wife to ferry the kids to school and we are blessed b/c we are able to own two cars. Like I said before, having kids walking to school is something I don't like about here, but I suppose this can be a problem anywhere in the world.
 
A holiday and living is a difference.
Have you ever been to Japan?

I have to get this off my chest, Dutch. But that is one creepy avatar you have. The black kid looks like a zombie. :eek::eek:
 
And that's the part I really like.

It's so safe.
Yeah its safe until an idiot 20 year old comes screeming around a corner and ploughs into a group of school kids! It has happened quite a few times here, I think the last time was a drunk driver. Not to mention the number of single fatalities from kids being hit by cars.
 
And that's the part I really like.

It's so safe.

Are you sure?
We had at least a few msg every few months from the town council on the loudspeaker
about kids went missing.
And had a few kids missing picture on the bulletin board next to the koban near my place.

I'm sure its more safer compared to other countries, but saying "its so safe" is a bit....
 
Thanks FrustratedDave and Kiriarowow for your thoughts..

Umm, I've come to the consensus that Japan is fine..

That is until up to the age of around nine and ten.

Japan is good for the education and discipline side of things pretty much up to this age, speaking to other parents who departed for the same issues..

The thing which really worries me would be people skills later on, artistic skills, etc.

This would I feel place a strong responsibility on myself for my son should I choose to saty beyond his ten years of age so that will have to be a decision down the track..

My wife and I are happy that we have finally come to a certain decision now, even more so since I have a buyer for the house..

Will see a solicitor tomorrow and all downhill from their..

It will take about a month..

Jiji our cat will be a bloody nightmare, but she is so cute, we cannot give her to anyone else.. Around $1800 to take her onboard..

Thanks Dutch for the link and info.

So it's Japan we come second time around, and one migration visa to go to waste!

We will contact a japanese Real Estate agent tomorrow, find ourselves a monthly apartment for us to get our bearings, then house hunting, car buying, day caring, job hunting, etc. time..

If anyone would like to come and give us a helping hand, you are very welcome;-)
 
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