Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
A MERE hint from the husband regarding a possible ‘move’ sends me diving in to Google search where you will find me trawling the Internet for an answer.
An answer to what you may ask? Isn’t it obvious? Which is the best school to send our children to in our new posting?
Oh yes, it’s the beginning of a nightmare journey in to expat forums, blogs and school websites. Amidst the rumours and rivalry of some schools, I quickly discover we are in trouble. A sinking feeling sets in as I read on and on about limited spaces and worryingly long waiting lists.
Suddenly the search for the ‘best’ school morphs in to the search for the school that has a place? In Bahrain this can be a minefield!
I find myself grovelling to admissions in various schools; I even get the husband in on the act. I quickly learn to treat admissions like God for they are the key to unlocking those sought after school places. No matter how they treat you, be patient, be friendly and be calm because the worst thing you can do is to ‘lose it’ with admissions … even though you want to.
Of course, there is always the organic childless friend that suggests ‘home-schooling’ - oh no, no, no! As much as I love our wonderful offspring this is not a possibility. Not if I am to remain sane!
After tears, tantrums and frayed tempers we finally secured places but at two different schools. They are at opposite ends of Bahrain, no bussing and for the time being I still have to be nice to admissions.
But I have my sanity …
