Thread: future for your chldren....

Just reading all this again, I haven't commented as I don't have children of my own - just step-children who are Indonesian, and I'm not involved in their education decisions.

I think Irma's plans are pretty sound. Education is very important to set kids up for life, however in the earlier years the focus does not need to be so much on an academic education. There are many other things to be learnt by a child, and Bali would be a wonderful place to grow up and receive a diverse education.

I did not have much of an academic education until the last 2 1/2 years of high school, and it was at my insistance that I got one. As a 14 year old I could see that if I was to exist anywhere other than on the fringes in a Western society that I needed the academic qualifications.

I believe having a mix of educations (academic and non-academic) made me a more rounded person and gave me advantages that my peers perhaps don't have.

Life is about choices, and to give your children the best choices available, an academic education is necessary - so at least the last 3 years of high school should focus on that. For some that might mean temporarily moving back to the west, or sending your kids to boarding school.

I wouldn't think that limiting your children to the work choices in Indonesia, through a limited Indonensian education, is a good idea. Some of the people in this discussion have children who are mixed western/Indonesian - as Sergio knows, in Indonesia, you are never really accepted as Indonesian, particularly if you look western. In Indonesia, if they know one of your parents is a bule, then it could be very expensive to get a decent job. For western kids growing up in Bali it would be even more difficult.

Personally I'm glad I am not faced with the complication of children, for me when we go back to living in Bali (or Lombok) the biggest challenge will be money. Better go make some more so I can add it to the jar.....

Thanks Freo! Don't know if my plans would work out ok, but none of us has any insight into our kids' future, so the best we can do is to at least have a plan!

It would be great if we all could all just live where we like, how we like, with no complications, no worries, no plans.... but that's not the reality as we all know! Especially if kids are involved! Nooooo chance! But, I don't mind..... it's cool. Our kids are our future after all! 8)

I would love to live near my Mum & family again in my home country, I would love for my boys to get to know them properly, my husband would love to be a beach bum, etc, etc..... but not at the expense of our boys' future career. A good education foundation is top priority for their future even if they're not academic enough for Uni!