Children in Hyderabad - A Good mix???

How easy is it to adapt to living there with kids? Is the heat a real problem with regards to what to do with them at weekends & holidays etc...

Is it safe for children to play outside in gardens?

Are there any major issues or concerns i should be aware of?
What about mosquitoes & other spiders & insects - are they a problem/dangerous?

Whats the best way to help not get bitten by mosquitoes?

I know its not a "Malaria zone" but is it adviseable to take anti-malarials?

Rabies - how much of a problem is it out there? How much at risk are you? We've been advised to have the jabs, but these only buy you time, they don't protect you fully. Do they have any side-effects?

Your opinions & advise please

i have a 6 year old and a 10 months old and i honestly don't see any problems here. I do not give them any malaria meds - i think they are not worth it due to the side effects.
They play outside normally, I don't have to worry about anything really...nothing out of the usual.

The quality of playgrounds is not at the level of western countries but they are ok - kind of very basic. I think kids don't care much about things that bother me.

To sum it up - this place is totally fine for kids and i know many moms and kids who are ok. Usually it's the moms that get bored more and homesick...lol

I guess i will see more for myself when we visit in a couple of weeks. I really am trying not to be too neurotic about the whole matter, but having children really doesn't help.
I am sure (at least hope) that I may be pleasantly surprised.

If you don't mind me asking, which school does your 6 year old go to? And are you pleased with it?

I would be in tune with #2 except that we have had great experience with Doxycycline & a bad experience with malaria (mine) in Hyderabad. Also the little one (then) is the only male child in the extended family & so can't easily be replaced. Never did the rabies vacc despite our area being somewhat problematic for strays as medical care is easy to arrange in the twin cities. Children will easily make friends in India. Schooling was not an issue as we homeschool & are portable. Now its empty nest syndrome as we just dropped our boy off at Berkeley..

My 6 year old goes to Sloka school - it's a waldorf school - and we are very happy. Very. I had her in the mainstream international school before and were totally unhappy about it. Finding school is quite a challenge here. Lots of options and no good way to really tell which ones are good and which ones not.

I am sure you will get a best view and opinion by seeing the place here.

Good luck with everything!

Are you referring to the Int Schl of Hyderabad? If so, can i ask what you were unhappy about?

Also, what is a waldorf school? And why do you find this better? - just curious to get as many opinions as poss ......

By this do you mean that you weren't on Doxycycline and caught malaria in Hyd. and that your Son was and didn't but equally was fine with no side-effects?

No, I wasn't referring to Intl School of Hyderabad.
That is where most of expats send their kids -I think that is the only school where school holidays match the ones in the west. Indian schools start in June and end in April....so April, May are the "summer" holidays.

Well, Waldorf is an alternative school so to speak. You can google it cos it's hard to describe it in few words.
It is in short very child friendly - no heavy bag to take home, no homeworks until certain grade, no standard tests, etc. It goes much deeper obviously and i am totally impressed with their methods.

Couple of expat moms recently sent their kids to Indus International School and are very pleased with it as i hear. Worth checking in out.

You're a star - thanks so much

None of us were. Now all of us are. Only a modest negative side effect at first for me but some positive side effects for all. Keep in mind that the experience varies widely by individual. area, time of year, and that it isn't for children before they have permanent teeth (11 or 12)..

thanks for the info.

I have three kids, for last 10 years, we were living in Himalayas and now relocating into Hyderabad. Just follow basic hygiene and common sense. Hyderabad climate much better then in North India.

Indian health care system very efficient, one thing keep in mind, never ignore a problem and react fast. Faster started treatment faster recovery and less chances of complications.

Initially, it may take time for you and kids to adapt, as your immune system may need some education for local infections. Don't hesitate and use medicines right away during this adaptive period.

stay positive