We are a family of five who decided to have a new life adventure, and moved our family to Tianjin, China, where the husband (Brian) teaches English at an English Center that serves adults who are in business or in college. I (April) am the wife/mother who does most of the posting on this blog, and I take care of the children with a little English tutoring on the side. This is the story our adventures living life in Tianjin with three small children.
China: The Back Story 
Hi April,
I found your blog to be a wonderfully honest and humorous reflection on your life in China. You have done a superb job illustrating your journey with your photos and it is an absolute delight to read! We are a family living in New Zealand- currently going through the process of applying for teaching jobs in China. I lived in China for a little while when I was fresh out of Teacher’s College but it’s a whole new kettle of fish wanting to take the kids. Our boys are 12years and 6years, and why I was perusing the web looking at blogs is because I was trying to find another family that has kids that is sending them to public school. There is no way that we can afford to send them to international school and we have almost halted in our tracks in applying because everyone thinks it would be exceptionally mean to send them to a local school when obviously they don’t speak mandarin. Any suggestions???? We did think that maybe we could pay someone to privately homeschool or tutor them- is this likely do you think? Where I lived in China there was pretty much only the English Uni teachers that spoke English- but you seem to have come across quite a few people. I realise your kids are quite a bit younger than mine, but what are you doing with them when you go to work?
Anyway, hope your week goes well 🙂
Kind regards
Miriam
Found your blog after looking around in the Tianjin Expat Forum. You guys originally from MN or just spend some time there? My husband and I are originally from MN. Hope you are enjoying TJ!
Hi April! I really enjoy your blog! Hope to meet you and your family onde day!
We are moving to Tianjin and I have a little girl too ( she is 2 now). Can you give me some information about the city?
thank you!
Of course! Here is the site where I’ve begun to collect all the information I can find for families in the city. It’s a long way from being done, but it’s a start. Right now it’s a lot more helpful if you’re living in the downtown area. I don’t have much information about TEDA or other outlying areas yet. Where will you be living?
There’s a good Brazilian community, and also a good airline pilot community, living in the community a block away from me, by Lotte (it’s called Yanlord). Will you be living there?
Hello April, i really enjoyed reading your blog… I´m moving to Tianjin with my husband and two kids (almost 2 and 4) and I have been searching for kindergardens for them but of course international ones are very expensive. I´m thinking of sending them to a public school. In my country we have public schools, private schools and private international schools. Is it like that over there? I haven´t been able to find much info about it. I´m going to Tianjin in January. I would really appreciate any help you can give me regarding this matter. I´m also an English Teacher, maybe i can find a job there right? Have a great day!
There are plenty of bilingual kindergartens here that are not as expensive as private international schools. Where will you be living? I just moved this site so I’m still working on all the links, but this should be helpful, http://www.tianjinfamilies.com/?page_id=70, and soon all of this content will be hosted at http://www.tianjinbang.com/ (best website for expats).
Hi April, I have really enjoyed reading your blogs!! They have been both scary and helpful! a great insight! I am moving to Teda at the beginning of Feb with my husband and 2 boys. Matthew who is 6 will be going to Teda international school. I have a 2 year old and I have been looking for mother and toddlers groups in this area. Do you know of any or could you point me in the right direction please? This would be a great help. many thanks, Lindsay
Yes, of course, I believe TEDA International Fellowship has a MOPS meeting, Mothers of Preschoolers, and I don’t think you need to be a Christian to go. http://www.tedafellowship.com/ I am not sure if any of the international schools out there have playdates, but TEDA is like another city from downtown, and though there are play groups at two of the International Schools out here (Wellington and International School of Tianjin), I’m guessing you wouldn’t make it out here often. It’s at least an hour drive. I think Tianjin really is a great place to live with kids. Other than the bad air, but it’s been a pretty good year. Make sure you check out http://www.tianjinbang.com/. There’s not a lot of info about TEDA yet, but it’s coming! Maybe http://www.tianjinfamilies.com will be helpful, until I move all the content over to TJ Bang. Maybe we’ll meet while you’re here!
Hi April,
I’m doing some research into life for expats in Tianjin and came across your fantastic blog – I’ve really enjoyed reading it for an insight into life there. I wondered if I might be able to draw on your expertise to ask you a few questions about your experience of living in Tianjin? I promise that it will be nothing too challenging or time-consuming and I would be very grateful for any help you might be able to give.
If you’d be willing to help then please send me an email – I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks very much and best wishes,
Eleanor.
Hi April,
I have a question about Tianjin and I was wondering if you could email me. I live in Jackson, TN, USA and I have stumbled across your blog and have actually a huge favor to ask from one mother to another.
Chelsea
chelseabergeron1403@gmail.com