NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA

I'm a Canadian ex pat living in Sfax. It seems like other Tunisian cities have so many more resources than Sfax. I have a two year old daughter and am bored silly staying at home. I don't know very many people and my daughter doesn't get to play with other kids as much as I would like. Anyone else in Sfax that would like to get together? Any ideas of how I can entertain a two year old in Sfax or elsewhere in Tunisia? There just aren't the mum and me programs or parks or community centres or play groups that one would find elsewhere in the world. Do any other parents in Tunisia have any suggestions about how to raise their kids without the variety of community resources I mentioned?

Hello Shauna.  I was only just talking to somebody yesterday by email who is thinking of moving to Sfax...however this is a gentleman who is thinking about eventually retiring there!  There are other expats registered on here as living or working in Sfax, but I am not sure if they have children.

However, when I first came here, two of my children were 6 months and 2 also.  In the UK, at this age, we had either mothers and toddlers where you could meet other mothers and their kids, toy libraries or playgroups, but I found that I didn't find much at all for this age group where I was living which is near to Nabeul...a largish town with many foreigners living in it of all nationalities.  I had other children of school age and got stuck into making two websites and starting a business so I found that I was always busy.  Through this website I did meet many other expats in my area, so here's hoping that it will be the same for you.  Most young kids start nursery school at age 3, so at least then your child will be stimulated and learning the language.  I think the longer you stay you will find things that you didn't know existed....I'm still finding things now, 5 or 6 years later!!!  There are many clubs for children in our little town, such as scouts, computer studies, karate, gym, painting etc, which take place in the Maison Des Jeunes and although aimed at children a bit older than yours, there are many things for her to do in just a couple of years time.  Try asking in one of your local Maison Des Jeunes, they may know of something you can attend or if you have Tunisian relatives, they may be able to suggest something.

Melanie what was your experience with nursery school at age 3? I am very reluctant to put my very attached child into nursery care all day long at such a young age, especially considering I do not work. From what I know of Tunisian nursery schools there is a lot of seat work, music that is far too loud, a lot of scolding and authoratative discipline, and not much outdoor time or free play or make believe. What is your experience?

Otherwise, I have been in Sfax almost 6 years and know the place pretty well. The very few activities for kids that exist are for kids older than 4 and only seem to take place on weekends, which is our family time.

I am thinking of starting a toddlers club or some such thing myself where I could organize age appropriate activities myself for a group of children aged from 18-36 months. I have enough contacts of music teachers, dance teachers, painting teachers, etc. that have knowledge of this age group that I could bring on a rotating basis. However locals tell me that will never fly because parents here don't see the value in such activities that age and the majority are either in crèche, with a maid, or at the grandparents house all day and are therefore not available for activities. What do you think? With your knowledge of Tunisian mentality do you think I will be able to find at least 3 or 4 parents who would be willing to bring there toddler to participate in well-planned activities for an hour or two per week?

Hi Shauna, our nursery school had the option of a half (am or pm) day or a full day.  I chose the half day and due to working at the time, they told me if I couldn't make it on a morning one day, I could bring my children in the afternoon instead or vice versa and then swap back whenever I felt like it, which I found handy.  The nursery school definitely had lots of loud music!!!  But it also had a fantastic, large garden, so I suppose it all depends upon the nursery.

They did follow some form of curriculum, as at the end of term we were always presented with the work that they had been doing throughout the year, ie. drawings, learning of Arabic letters, paintings etc.  I never found the teachers there too strict, but I know they certainly are once your child goes to primary school.

My youngest child is now in what is called the preparatory class (only for ages 5-6) which is attached to the primary school.  A lot more work is done in this class, in both Arabic and French, which I was pleased about, because at this age, I felt she needed stretching more, as she had begun to get very bored and naughty at nursery school!

If I had had the chance of a toddler's club when mine were smaller I would have jumped at it!  I often used to moan about this fact to my husband.  I suppose it is something that they have never had in Tunisia, so never really thought of, but as Tunisians often get together at each others houses for coffee/juice and cakes and a good gossip, you may find if advertised really well that some of the mothers or even grandmothers might be receptive to the idea!  I really wish you well and hope it works if you try it.  Please let me know if you set one up, as I would be really interested to see if it works, as I often thought of the idea myself!

I live in Sfax well did for 6months my apartment is still there i just had to come back to UK for abit to get some more money going lol ill be in Sfax in July for 2weeks if anyone wants to have a meet up then hopefully be moving back their in october xxx

I would definately love to meet up as I am starved for English language conversation!

I know that feeling!