Comments on: Raising Children Overseas – How to Deal with Curious Onlookers http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/ homeschooling with a Charlotte Mason approach Tue, 22 May 2012 13:06:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tina J http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-3986 Tina J Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:31:35 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-3986 I am so excited to have come across this blog. I will be living in China for two years, and will most likely be homeschooling at least one of my two children. He is dyslexic, dysgraphic and dyscalculic along with wildly creative, highly animated,strongly opinionated and quite the funnyman. While tuition is covered in our package, there does not appear to be much of services. We are torn between Shenzen ( where my husband will be working) and The New Territories. We are wildly excited and would appreciate any advice or feedback other parents in the homeschooling community may have. Things to bring, things not to bother bringing, situations such as being a novelty to prepare them for etc... even comments on schools would be appreciated. I am so excited to have come across this blog. I will be living in China for two years, and will most likely be homeschooling at least one of my two children. He is dyslexic, dysgraphic and dyscalculic along with wildly creative, highly animated,strongly opinionated and quite the funnyman. While tuition is covered in our package, there does not appear to be much of services. We are torn between Shenzen ( where my husband will be working) and The New Territories. We are wildly excited and would appreciate any advice or feedback other parents in the homeschooling community may have. Things to bring, things not to bother bringing, situations such as being a novelty to prepare them for etc… even comments on schools would be appreciated.

]]> By: Andrea http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-2134 Andrea Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:00:26 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-2134 I was sent this link by a friend who was kindly offering your advice in reply to my Facebook plea for help and/or advice in how to deal with "well-meaning", but touchy, grabby, photo-happy Mainland Chinese. We have recently moved to Hong Kong with two fair-skinned, freckled, light-eyed, curly headed little girls. Our first experience with this was at Hong Kong Disney...and it was harmless, but this weekend at Ocean Park, there were moments of feeling threatened (not just the kids-ME!!) and it was rather unsettling. I think your advice is good. But what to do when they don't ask a thing? Or when they don't stop when you say firmly, "Stop"? We turned away and took the kids away from the situation, but it left me feeling ill-suited to protect the girls in busy crowded situations. Thanks for your insight, though!! I was sent this link by a friend who was kindly offering your advice in reply to my Facebook plea for help and/or advice in how to deal with “well-meaning”, but touchy, grabby, photo-happy Mainland Chinese. We have recently moved to Hong Kong with two fair-skinned, freckled, light-eyed, curly headed little girls. Our first experience with this was at Hong Kong Disney…and it was harmless, but this weekend at Ocean Park, there were moments of feeling threatened (not just the kids-ME!!) and it was rather unsettling. I think your advice is good. But what to do when they don’t ask a thing? Or when they don’t stop when you say firmly, “Stop”? We turned away and took the kids away from the situation, but it left me feeling ill-suited to protect the girls in busy crowded situations. Thanks for your insight, though!!

]]> By: Paula http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-1841 Paula Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:06:52 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-1841 We have been living in Asia and I second Sue’s feelings on talking photo’s. We saw how our daughter’s photo was taken and emailed instantly to... well....who? We adopted a firm policy on this: no photo’s. For every trustworthy person taking a photo, how many are out there doing things with photo’s you do not want to think of? We enjoyed the true and lovely kindness of the Asian people and we have returned it as much as possible, but taking photo’s made us feel uncomfortable. When we kindly said ‘No’, they didn’t seem hurt at all. I never had the feeling they didn’t understand our protectionism. We have been living in Asia and I second Sue’s feelings on talking photo’s. We saw how our daughter’s photo was taken and emailed instantly to… well….who? We adopted a firm policy on this: no photo’s. For every trustworthy person taking a photo, how many are out there doing things with photo’s you do not want to think of? We enjoyed the true and lovely kindness of the Asian people and we have returned it as much as possible, but taking photo’s made us feel uncomfortable. When we kindly said ‘No’, they didn’t seem hurt at all. I never had the feeling they didn’t understand our protectionism.

]]> By: Jimmie http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-1840 Jimmie Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:26:45 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-1840 @Sue -- No problem. I have fixed it. Your comment is good, and thanks for sharing from your particular perspective. @Amy -- Two #5's? Oh my! I'd better go do some fixing. @Sue — No problem. I have fixed it. Your comment is good, and thanks for sharing from your particular perspective.
@Amy — Two #5′s? Oh my! I’d better go do some fixing.

]]> By: Sue http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-1839 Sue Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:24:42 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-1839 I am so sorry I posted the same (long) comment twice. I was trying to correct a spelling error. If possible, could you please delete the first one? .-= Sue´s last blog ..<a href="http://sue-livingandlearning.blogspot.com/2009/12/snapshots-of-christmas.html" rel="nofollow">Snapshots of Christmas</a> =-. I am so sorry I posted the same (long) comment twice. I was trying to correct a spelling error. If possible, could you please delete the first one?
.-= Sue´s last blog ..Snapshots of Christmas =-.

]]> By: Amy http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-1838 Amy Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:52:06 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-1838 Both #5s got my attention :) I do the same thing... I let it be up to my kids if they want to be in the picture, and I don't discourage them at all if they want to charge! :) The Peruvians sometimes ask for a tip as well if you want to take their picture, so sometimes when people would ask me, I'd just reply with a smile... sure, it'll be 5 soles for a picture with the 'gringos' :) Most people aren't sure whether I'm joking or not, so it heads off some at the pass. The point you mentioned about interrupting is VERY annoying... it happens here to us in Peru too, ALL the time. I usually wait to respond to the interruption until my children are done talking holding a finger up to the person to indicate 'one moment, please'. I think it is because they can't understand what's being said, but it also depends on the person, perhaps as some people just have the habit of interrupting more than others. This post just might inspire a post of my own on the subject! For the most part my kids are more good-natured than I'd be in their place (thanks to my congenial husband). I'm very proud of them! .-= Amy´s last blog ..<a href="http://fisheracademy.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-christmas.html" rel="nofollow">A Merry Christmas</a> =-. Both #5s got my attention :) I do the same thing… I let it be up to my kids if they want to be in the picture, and I don’t discourage them at all if they want to charge! :) The Peruvians sometimes ask for a tip as well if you want to take their picture, so sometimes when people would ask me, I’d just reply with a smile… sure, it’ll be 5 soles for a picture with the ‘gringos’ :) Most people aren’t sure whether I’m joking or not, so it heads off some at the pass.
The point you mentioned about interrupting is VERY annoying… it happens here to us in Peru too, ALL the time. I usually wait to respond to the interruption until my children are done talking holding a finger up to the person to indicate ‘one moment, please’. I think it is because they can’t understand what’s being said, but it also depends on the person, perhaps as some people just have the habit of interrupting more than others.
This post just might inspire a post of my own on the subject!
For the most part my kids are more good-natured than I’d be in their place (thanks to my congenial husband). I’m very proud of them!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..A Merry Christmas =-.

]]> By: Darla http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-1837 Darla Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:10:52 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-1837 In Qatar the photo thing isn't such an issue it is touching, holding and trying to pick up the children to show to their friends and family. The picking up is especially true for the younger children. It is considered good luck. That was a culture shock adjustment that we never expected. There have been times when this has been more challenging than others but a quick reminder of the points you mentioned have served us well. Darla In Qatar the photo thing isn’t such an issue it is touching, holding and trying to pick up the children to show to their friends and family. The picking up is especially true for the younger children. It is considered good luck. That was a culture shock adjustment that we never expected.

There have been times when this has been more challenging than others but a quick reminder of the points you mentioned have served us well.

Darla

]]> By: Sue http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-1835 Sue Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:35:36 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-1835 Our take on this may be a bit different, since Japan has a culture all it's own, and our kids are Japanese citizens (but they are obviously "half" and get a lot of attention, especially since I am very fair). Japanese people in general are not as bold and direct, and we often had people trying to take pictures of our eldest when she was a tot on the sly, or without asking at all. We decided early on that we would have a no photo policy for our kids, in spite of the awkwardness it sometimes creates. These days people can alter photos to use for all sorts of sick or dishonest purposes, and we feel it's our duty to protect our kids from that. We actually had a photo that we allowed to be taken and used in a homeschool publication show up on the cover of another magazine without our permission or knowledge. Probably, 95% of the time the photo takers are totally innocent, and just think our kids are cute, but you just never know for sure. They are complete strangers, after all. We have gone back on the policy occasionally when we felt the situation was safe (like the example above, which turned out not so great), but I have also had to approach strange men lurking around taking photos while we are playing at the park from time to time - that's really creepy, and I don't enjoy it at all. Over the years my kids have had issues with being called foreigner, or people asking if they can understand Japanese. This is also a little different for us, since my kids are citizens. They can get quite offended by that kind of thing. We have tried to focus on how being different and sticking out can be a great plus. We have opportunities to meet others and make connections in a way that we wouldn't have if we just blended in. I agree that it's important for them to know that the attention is not meant in a negative way. I like to jokingly tell my kids that it can't be helped that they are so good looking. Anyway, I thought you had great advice, but just wanted to through out that part about the photos as food for thought. I think that the parents of each family have to know their kids well, and decide what is right for their family. Thanks for this great post! .-= Sue´s last blog ..<a href="http://sue-livingandlearning.blogspot.com/2009/12/snapshots-of-christmas.html" rel="nofollow">Snapshots of Christmas</a> =-. Our take on this may be a bit different, since Japan has a culture all it’s own, and our kids are Japanese citizens (but they are obviously “half” and get a lot of attention, especially since I am very fair). Japanese people in general are not as bold and direct, and we often had people trying to take pictures of our eldest when she was a tot on the sly, or without asking at all. We decided early on that we would have a no photo policy for our kids, in spite of the awkwardness it sometimes creates.

These days people can alter photos to use for all sorts of sick or dishonest purposes, and we feel it’s our duty to protect our kids from that. We actually had a photo that we allowed to be taken and used in a homeschool publication show up on the cover of another magazine without our permission or knowledge. Probably, 95% of the time the photo takers are totally innocent, and just think our kids are cute, but you just never know for sure. They are complete strangers, after all.

We have gone back on the policy occasionally when we felt the situation was safe (like the example above, which turned out not so great), but I have also had to approach strange men lurking around taking photos while we are playing at the park from time to time – that’s really creepy, and I don’t enjoy it at all.

Over the years my kids have had issues with being called foreigner, or people asking if they can understand Japanese. This is also a little different for us, since my kids are citizens. They can get quite offended by that kind of thing. We have tried to focus on how being different and sticking out can be a great plus. We have opportunities to meet others and make connections in a way that we wouldn’t have if we just blended in. I agree that it’s important for them to know that the attention is not meant in a negative way. I like to jokingly tell my kids that it can’t be helped that they are so good looking.

Anyway, I thought you had great advice, but just wanted to through out that part about the photos as food for thought. I think that the parents of each family have to know their kids well, and decide what is right for their family. Thanks for this great post!
.-= Sue´s last blog ..Snapshots of Christmas =-.

]]> By: Melissa Telling http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-1834 Melissa Telling Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:28:07 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-1834 Hmm. Do you have any advice for dealing with unwanted atention in your OWN country? :-) I guess being a mother of eight qualifies one for the "freak show" in America. If one more person compares us to the Duggars I just may scream. I can't even take my kids out shopping without being stopped by numerous curious and inquisitive strangers. Over Christmas vacation my husband and I arranged to meet some old friends at a resturant. We hadn't seen them in years and were hoping to catch up, but we spent half the time answering questions about our large family that were asked by some women at a nearby table. What was point #1 again? LOL! .-= Melissa Telling´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/amtell/750958/" rel="nofollow">Count Down To Christmas Paper Chain</a> =-. Hmm. Do you have any advice for dealing with unwanted atention in your OWN country? :-) I guess being a mother of eight qualifies one for the “freak show” in America. If one more person compares us to the Duggars I just may scream. I can’t even take my kids out shopping without being stopped by numerous curious and inquisitive strangers. Over Christmas vacation my husband and I arranged to meet some old friends at a resturant. We hadn’t seen them in years and were hoping to catch up, but we spent half the time answering questions about our large family that were asked by some women at a nearby table. What was point #1 again? LOL!
.-= Melissa Telling´s last blog ..Count Down To Christmas Paper Chain =-.

]]> By: Cristal http://jimmiescollage.com/2009/12/raising-children-overseas-how-to-deal-with-curious-onlookers/comment-page-1/#comment-1821 Cristal Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:27:33 +0000 http://jimmiescollage.com/?p=408#comment-1821 I love your advice, and think it is spot on. I know it has been so very important for me to not be offended by the 'staring, and crowd gathering, photo ops' that happen. In the the west it is rude to stare, it is not here. Plain and simple, so I had to remind myself that they are not being rude. I have chosen to live in their culture! I have three kids, and the child comparing can be difficult. My middle son gets the majority of attention, but he also has received many comments on his size. He is a solidly built kid, and my youngest is slim. They are always being compared. Another issue we have had is that my sons who are younger will get preferential treatment compared to my daughter who is older than them. The boys will be offered candy, and she will literally be pushed aside. So we have many discussions about not being offended about things that are different from what we are used to. I am also teaching my sons to stand up for their sister in these situations (with mom's help). Mostly though, we are blessed over and over by their love for children!!! We always get many complements by the fact that we have 3 children especially from the older generation. .-= Cristal´s last blog ..<a href="http://offtoohk.blogspot.com/2009/12/embracing-it-all.html" rel="nofollow">Embracing it all</a> =-. I love your advice, and think it is spot on. I know it has been so very important for me to not be offended by the ‘staring, and crowd gathering, photo ops’ that happen. In the the west it is rude to stare, it is not here. Plain and simple, so I had to remind myself that they are not being rude. I have chosen to live in their culture!
I have three kids, and the child comparing can be difficult. My middle son gets the majority of attention, but he also has received many comments on his size. He is a solidly built kid, and my youngest is slim. They are always being compared. Another issue we have had is that my sons who are younger will get preferential treatment compared to my daughter who is older than them. The boys will be offered candy, and she will literally be pushed aside.
So we have many discussions about not being offended about things that are different from what we are used to. I am also teaching my sons to stand up for their sister in these situations (with mom’s help).
Mostly though, we are blessed over and over by their love for children!!! We always get many complements by the fact that we have 3 children especially from the older generation.
.-= Cristal´s last blog ..Embracing it all =-.

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