[Tia Maria]

These are two of the things that have really frustrated me since we've arrived in NZ.

The boys seem to be constantly ill with whatever is doing the rounds at school/pre-school, (currently foot and mouth & slapped cheek disease!). And the OH never seems to be able to get much time off work. So even if he does get the time off, we normally spend it at the doctors.

As a result we've hardly done any of the things we planned, (just read the overlander thread - another one to add to the list!).

I think if you are coming over definitely try to see a few things before you start work/school, otherwise you could have a very long wait.

Anyone else's kids constantly ill - not sure if its an NZ thing, or because we're new to the country?

Cheers

Tia

[Hannah]

Hiya, poor you (and kids!). I think there's just a bit of bad luck going on here. I lived in NZ for 7 months and the only thing wrong with my children was a cut foot (from wearing no shoes - definitely an NZ thing) and toothache for my son (costly toothache - we had it pulled out while on a visitor visa and paid the earth!)
I know how depressing it is to be at home with sick children all the time. Mine are 8 and 11 and rarely get sick but when they were younger there always seemed to be one or the other off school and while the first day was ok (child asleep all day) the following days were hell (i called it 'post viral winge syndrome'). Hang in there. It may be just the exposure to new viruses at a new school, but it's probably just bad luck. We had slapped cheek and the foot and mouth thing in our UK school last year, along with chicken pox and all the others. Head lice make a constant appearance as well (daughter just got over those). These bugs are the same in the UK as they are in Nz (except the head lice speak with a kiwi accent and wear no shoes), so it's probably just the reality of school life rather that it being to do with being in NZ.
I do feel for you though - i know it must just feel like you are wasting away indoors caring for the sick while there are all these wonderful things you should be doing instead!!!! Look on the bright side - your kiddies will have one hell of an immune system at the end of it all and will be able to fight off all the lurgies that come at them in the future!
All the best, keep looking forward...they won't be sick for ever.
hannah

[jubjub]

Nearly all the kids in my coffee groups have been ill, ear infections, vomiting bugs, colds, all of which our fella has had too, and on occasion passed to his parents! Add to that a couple of cases of chicken pox & measles (which we have dodged touch wood)

We are lucky in that hubby gets 10 days sick a year, and that is to cover sickness of anyone, for instance we had all been ill over a weekend, I was the last to get it, and on the Monday I could barely move, so he phoned in sick so he could look after AJ and I could recover a bit.

You are unlucky in that all yours are so young, and are a bit more vulnerable, they will get older and grow out of it (we hope!) and you can get your adventures done.

[Ana&Steve]

I was reading an article about honey not that long ago, and it claimed that when you move to a new area, a good way to acclimate is to eat a teaspoon of local honey every day. This is supposed to help with colds and flu, as well as digesting new foods. Is there nothing honey can't do? ;)
Ana