I was just over at Hub Pages, reading comments to a story by fellow franchisee Derek at Tsukaguchi (スミス英会話 塚口). Someone posted a link to another soapbox story, written by Helena at Nakamozu (スミス英会話 なかもず). It was a great read for me, as I am expecting our first child very, very soon. Her comments about family time and the benefits of staying in the Smith system after having children in Japan seem to mirror my thoughts on the matter. I feel it is important to bring attention to it again. If you’d like to read Helena’s post, please click here.
Helena’s comments about daycare are right on the spot. Why send your kids to daycare when you don’t need to? All our students are asking when I’m coming back to work. We haven’t decided yet, and I plan to see how things go. But I certainly do expect to get some cabin fever at home, and my husband has been talking about being “Mr.Mom”. I would hate to have to make the choice of who stays home with the baby, or whether or not to send him to daycare. What a privilege not to have to do that! For us, the plan is this: I’ll take time off for now (we have hired another coach to help us at the school) and see how it goes. Eventually, my husband and I will take turns in the classroom. We both love working at the school, so it really is the best of both worlds!
By the way, this should not in any way be read to mean that daycare in Japan is no good. On the contrary, I would much rather send my child to daycare here than in Canada! In fact, there is one next door to us! But why do that when we don’t have to?
Looking forward to the new adventure! (All our students are looking forward to seeing the new face!)
Deana
Smith’s School of English Azamino
Deana,
As someone who is now beginning my family life and life in Japan, I read your last 2 articles [with relish]. I’m interested to learn more about your family life in Japan and life running an English School with a family. I look forward to your next post!
Edward, SSE Ohtsu
Deana, Great article. If you set up your schedules well you can really enjoy the best of two worlds. It is so hard to do that when you work for a big company which inevitably entails lots of overtime and business trips. I remember when I worked for OKI Electric one year that I had business trips lasting 5 days/week for 42 weeks of one year. It seemed like I never saw my kids and they grew up a lot while I was busy with my job. I don’t recommend that for anyone. Keep us posted on how things go with the school and new baby.
Al, SSE Okamoto
Edward and Al,
Thanks for your comments!
Edward: Promise I will continue to post about family life.
Please do the same! Looking forward to meeting you and your wife next time we are in Osaka. Be sure to come by if you are in Yokohama!
Al: I absolutely cannot imagine being away from home for so much of the year. It really is amazing how many fathers have to do that, and these days many mothers too. We are very lucky we can do this, I agree! Promise to keep you posted. By the way, you’re doing amazing! Keep it up!
Deana, SSE Azamino