I Moved my Kid from New York to Argentina for a More Friendly School

I Moved my Kid from New York to Argentina for a More Friendly School

  • New York City was a horrible place for children as young as 2. I moved to California because of the way they treated me.
  • I did not want my child to feel that she had failed before starting school.
  • Argentina’s school system was a great place to learn and grow.

When my daughter turned two, I began searching for preschools along with all other mothers in Brooklyn. There were limited spaces, and the competition to get in was stressful ⁠— including supervised playdates, group encounters, and psychological assessments to secure one of the coveted spots.

It broke my heart seeing how children who were not as precocious were turned down, and I couldn’t bring myself to let Lila join the fray. So I didn’t.

Instead, my family decided to leave New York. Although this was not the only reason why we chose to leave New York, it was the most important. I didn’t want my child to feel like a failure before she had even started her education.

My family searched for the right place for them for many years, but eventually they found it in an isolated town at the foothills the Andean mountains of Argentina.

Our first day at school in Argentina

Mercedes, Escuela Del Cerro’s primary-school coordinator, welcomed us with a smile and a hug on the cheek when we arrived. After a brief tour, she introduced us to the teachers and within an hour we were able to find a new school for Lila.

Everything felt more relaxed and open at the school. The school was not graded on the basis of small children. Instead, it evaluated them using a system that included “completed the work”Oder “didn’t complete the work.”

Lila’s struggle Learn SpanishI was able to communicate with her in a language she didn’t know at home. We were a team. I was never criticized or judged.

Our parents were happy to welcome us with playdates, after school activities and birthday parties. Lila and her classmates were in a friendly competition. compañeros. Everyone knew me when I entered the school. It was wonderful to be part of such a supportive and well-connected community.

My daughter is studying in Argentina.

Lila graduated from highschool during the pandemic. She’s now planning to go to university in Argentina. I was prepared for a daunting application process. It turned out that it was easy: simply fill out the online application and pass a general knowledge exam in her subject area with a grade of at least 60%.

She is not competing with other students to get a space.

However, there is no such thing as perfect. Mercedes schools are more laid back than New York City’s elite schools. We don’t have as many after-school programs, museums or other opportunities for children here than a big city might.

Sometimes I wonder if Lila is being treated unfairly by me living in a home that doesn’t make her face rejection more often. Rejection and failure are part of life.

The stress and fear of failing that creeped into me while I was reading the application for New York preschool, I think back. Lila still has a lot of life ahead of her, so she will make mistakes. I’m sure she will fail many times. Lila has the freedom to trust her choices and rely on herself through her education. She will be able rely on what she has learned, even as she confronts the inevitable hurdles of the future.

Our children have plenty of time to participate in the competition and many opportunities to challenge themselves. I am glad Lila has a stable base and a community she is able to rely on for guidance throughout her entire life.

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