Infant raised by granparents question

[oldexpat]

This couple I know basically have a 1 year old child. The wife wants to go to uni for a year to get a decent job and the farther works full time. The only way that the wife can go to uni is 2 options.
1. Husband works overseas and the wifes parents fly over to UK to take care of the baby while the wife goes to uni.
2. Husband works either overseas or in the UK and the child is left abroad with the grand parents for 2 years.

If it is option 2 and the child had very little contact with his parents for 2 years would this have any kind of psychological detriment to the child. At the age of three the child would not speak English so would it make it traumatic for the child to come back and settle into an English speaking country? I am trying to give this guy some advice here but dont know what. What do you think?

[sophie_1003]

Just to clarify- my answer was in response to scenario 2, with scenario 1 I would imagine the child would be much more settled throughout.

[welshlibranr]

Option one, every time, at least the child will be able to go to nursery and school in the Uk and speak the language, if he/she is raised elsewhere, then this would mean that the child would be at a disadvantage when he/she does come to live in the UK!..................

[ummmm]

I don't think language is much of a barrier. There have been Polish kids join my sons school not speaking a word of English. The speed at what they learnt it was very impressive. They were also teaching their peers Polish...

[sophie_1003]

Definitely ummm, don't think learning English would be too much of a barrier (especially if parents speak it) but they do need to be aware that if they go for option 2 the silent period would be completely normal and not too much to worry about.

[welshlibranr]

Ok both, I take your point, but surelly being brought up in the UK, where they will probably remain, is better than being brought up elsewhere, and then having to adjust, has got to be be better for the children, they could get such a better start that way!.............

[ummmm]

Or not...we don't know the people involved.

[sophie_1003]

Agree that it's much better but if option 2 gets chosen I don't think it would spell disaster, obviously it depends how it's handled though.

[welshlibranr]

I know uuum, and that's the problem!.......Best that they're in the UK , I think!.......our Social Services have had problems in the past, but they still do a good job on the whole!..................