Parents of Schoolgoers  Discussion Forum

Life in US is not a bed of roses, as most of the folks back home think, both personally and economically.

1. It is true that we earn in dollars but then we spend in dollars too-Rent/mortgage, Car Insurance, Fleecing taxes, medical, living expenses...oh the list is enormous...
2. We do our own laundry, vaccuuming, mopping, dishwashing, ironing, cooking. Yes we do have machines, but hey isnt it work. And then many of us work full time and have babies(husbands plus kids) too...
3. Even eating out has to be done in moderation. Believe it or nor, it is expensive and cannot be afforded very often.
4. Before buying anything for myself, I think twice...thrice and most of the time end up not buying it :)
5. Vacations cost a lot of money so its not like that we are galvinating about in US and having a 'delight of the tourist' life.
6. Raising a child in this country is so so expensive(so I have been told) that you are expected to plan expenses even before the baby is here...

Most of the time, that 'would have been trip to Vegas' goes towards paying for some responsibility(genuine or frivolous) back home in India. Or that much dreamed about tour of Niagra Falls goes towards sponsoring someone's trip here. All the year round we save so that when(many cases)we go back, we can have a decent life.
The point I am making here is that though we live in a society with great infrastructure, we do have our own personal and economic battles to fight as is the essence of life.
So its tough on many of us, when people back home judge us wrongly and have great expectations interms of financial help, expensive gifts, sponsored trips etc.


cool1 replied. I totally agree to what augustborn and all others have to say about living here. What I donot understand is that even when you try to make people back there understand the circumstances here - they would still think the other way (that we r trying to manipulate things.........)

Initially, when I came here I was so lonely and on top of that had to cope up with my IL's (staying with me) and try to make my own identity all over again - a new start -- All this is so tough!


A great idea of buying V gifts for ourselves - Wow Diligent replied. You are so right! Keep up with these great topics. And whether Valentine's day is for loved ones or not I think all us women should buy each other a special something to make us happy. Something you have been dying to get just for yourself - just go out and get it. Life is so short make yourself happy. vd replied. I totally agree with all the points. Today my FIL was saying(they are visiting), mera bacha(his baby son) kitna kaam karta hai. Truly a baby.

And nothing for DIL(me) who works full time, has a 3yr old child, house to take care of , has same qualifications as their ladla, earn the same salary.

POOR BABY

And what I hate to do is IRONING the clothes, i really want to import a dhobi from india.

life replied. I agree with u my friend.
1. Financialy : People back in India think that we are earning in dollars and spending in rupees!!! and expect lot of things from us as if we have a money plant in our patio
2. Emotionally: We (especially ladies) leave our parents & family come over here, sacrifice everything and still have our own battles to fight
3. Social life: Hmm social life is only on few weekends...and that too with limited number of friends (not sure whether it is true with all of you)same old faces, same old dishes, same old games but still we try to be happy and enjoy with each other. No traditional marriages to attend, not celebrating festivals like we do in India.
And to add all the phyiscal work which we have to do here.
But in India people think we all are so lucky staying abroad and enjoying life. I always think that God should give us some browny points for undergoing all these in life!!!