Life in the New Zealand Countryside

• Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - A difficult situation

We went to the 'Integration Agency' as I call them, yesterday and they basically said that unless I can complete the French language course then Im unlikely to have my papers renewed. So this is a bit of a bugger... it means that if I cant have my papers renewed then I will have to leave France. We have explained that its virtually impossible to attend the course, due to reasons like; no transport ( this is a biggy, we live 1  hour away from the course location),  hubby does not have enough time to drive me there more than once a week, then theres Syami, hes still breastfeeding more than 5-6 times a day and I DO NOT want to end our breastfeeding relationship to attend this course. I see the need to be able to speak french etc, but its very inconvienent at this time. The agency lady told me that,  at 14 m/o my son is too big to be feeding and I should stop to be able to attend the course. Of course, IF he wasnt feeding anymore, then finding someone to look after him would not be a problem (he has a very willing grandma). So its very frustrating and doesnt leave us with many options... one being to leave the country  when my papers run out... or being an illegal Hubby spoke to the agency higher than the course people and they were very unhelpful, basically telling him that we had to organise our life that so that I could attend the course... meaning that we move to a bigger town, I give up breastfeeding our son, and buy a second car..... VERY unlikly. Ahh this is so depressing.... Why cant they wait another 6 months..... but I guess even then, I want to feed my son until hes 3, so that wouldnt really help anyway. Why is it so hard to integrate with the 'system'... They dont understant why we want to live in the middle of nowhere, why I stay at home to look after my son, why Im feeding him....In one way it makes you question your choices in life, but also it makes you stronger in them. I see that mothers here put baby on the bottle at 6 weeks, return to work and but baby with a nanny or creche. That is LESS than desirable in my eyes. I *know* what Im doing is right for my son. Why does the system make it so hard for people who want to do the *right* thing? Actually I know why... but its just so unfair. Just wanted to share this with you,  and for all those who nursed/are nursing thier babies.

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