My Children Help Me Adjust to Expat Living
When you are new to a place, for that first little while you get to really see it, as if you are looking through the eyes of a child. Soon the sight of a squirrel pausing to nimbly pick up an acorn with its tiny squirrel paws will become something I have seen a hundred times before. But for now it is a novelty. “Squirrel!” the children squeal every time one makes a brave dash across the street or jumps from one tree branch to another. The Canadians seem bemused by our enthusiasm. Read full article
Moving Overseas with Children - the Big Adventure
In six weeks, my family and I will be moving to Toronto, Canada from Newcastle, Australia. My husband was offered the opportunity for a transfer with his job, and after much discussion, we decided to take it. The initial contract will last for two years, with the option for us to return home after that time. The two-year time frame makes it doable for me – who knows what will happen after that? We don’t have to decide right now ... I think I have some expectations to manage, as they say in corporate-speak! I know my children are resilient, but I’m also prepared for some tears as their world changes. Read full article
An Expat Life as a Mother - from Libya to Qatar
Kirsty Rice is a writer and mother who also writes the popular blog 4 Kids, 20 Suitcases and a Beagle. She lives with her husband and children in Dohar,Qatar. Yvette Vignando interviewed her about living overseas with children and the highs and lows of expat parenting. Read full article
Children and Hotel Rooms - Cancel the Champagne
There was a time in my past when a visit to a hotel was all about fluffy robes, long luxurious baths, champagne and room service. It was decadence, lazy afternoons, sleep-ins and in-house movies. Quite often there was a meal, which went late into the evening, wine and maybe even cocktails in a little bar, before walking hand-in-hand back to our room. Now a visit to a hotel room involves much luggage and in our case two adjoining rooms, a bag of snacks and colouring-in books to keep the kids occupied. Gone is the champagne and lazy mornings Read full article
Doing Stuff With Your Kids - And Leaving the Washing Behind
My friend, Barney, recently commented on my Facebook page, “Gee you get about!” He was commenting on a photograph of the kids on our most recent weekend away. I admit it had been a busy week. I’d done an overnighter to Sydney for an early morning meeting at the ABC’s head office in Ultimo, I had moderated a business forum thing back home in Newcastle .. and a few other odds and sods on top of doing my daily radio show. Nothing particularly unusual for a week in the life of me. Read full article
