EXPAT MOM needing Help With Young Children

clevanator1 · 2010-11-06T00:28:24+01:00

玩偶姐姐 moms in Zurich discuss solutions for childcare, finding English-speaking help, and opportunities for mothers to regain their identity. Join the support!

clevanator1 Member

Member since 05 November 2010

clevanator1Member05 November 2010 22:28:24

Hello
I am new to the forum and honestly this is my first time to post anything on a site like this. However, I am desperately looking for help and am to the point I will try anything. I came to Switzerland 18 months ago for an exciting opportunity with a Swiss company. The opportunity turned out to be as challenging and exciting as I expected. However, it has been a difficult ride for my family which I am sure is nothing new for the people on this forum. We are at a point that if we do not find a solution for my wife to be albe to get back some resemblence of her life, we have no choice but to go home. She has two kids in Diapers and one in second grade. Her days are spent in our apartment and we have no good solution for her to get even a few minutes of private time to regain her identity as something other than caring for our children and of course as she would tell you her fourth child, Me. I was offered today a promotion and extension of my contract and there is no opportunity in the company to return home. I am writing to the forum to see if anybody can give us help to find solutions to help give my wife an opportuntiy to breathe and enjoy this experience rather than counting down the hours in our tiny apartment. We live in a small village so there is absolutely nothing for my younger two children until they are 3 years old. Do any of you know where we can find a "Surrogate Grandma" or somebody we can pay to care for our children 3 times per week for a few hours each time. We simply cannot afford the KinderCrippe or the Tages Mutter programs in our area. Also, can anybody recommend something for my wife to do during this time either as a job to ear a bit of money, a womens group, or possibly a charity to volunteer at. Our problem is that she does not speak German however she is fluent in English and Spanish.

Thank you in adavnce for your response.

c

HeisseSchoggi Member

Member since 10 November 2010

HeisseSchoggiMember10 November 2010 23:30:40

Hi!

I'm in Z眉rich, have a 1 year old baby and will be happy to baby sit from time to time. I'm highly educated and speak English fluently. Are you far away from Z眉rich? How old are your younger children? Let me know you email id if you would like to talk about this further.

Thanks!

b.wilks Member

Member since 14 November 2010

b.wilksMember14 November 2010 16:56:14

Hi,

聽 I am a nanny working in Zug. I have Wednesdays and Fridays off, so I could work for you those days and your wife could get out of the house and have time to herself. Or I could take the kids out on those days. Let me know if you'd be interested in receiving my resume.

-Brittany Wilkerson
22, originally from Florida, USA.

brittany.wilkerson@yahoo.com

barbwhite Member

Member since 21 October 2010

barbwhiteMember17 November 2010 06:14:51

Hello, where do you live, which area?
(moderated: no free ads please) or look at the playgroups and nurseries etc there, perhaps a church playgroup, or you could also call local schools or the "gemeinde" to ask for volunteers to take the 2 younger ones out. I hoope you find a solution, I know the feeling.
Barb

n.m.louise New member

Member since 19 September 2010

n.m.louiseNew member02 December 2010 14:32:59

Hello - where do you live precisely? I am in a very similar situation as your wife but in Germany - so I know how difficult it can be. I am back to Zurich in January and would be delighted to meet your family - at 2 it is easier to go out even with kids. Also, your wife could try the American International Women Association of Zurich. This is english speaking. I did not (yet) try it for myself but I have heard a lot of good things about it.