Comments on: 4 Ways to Help Kids Adjust to the Realities of Life Overseas

By: Kelake

Kelake — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:38:26 +0000

Yes having your own family traditions that remain constant no matter where you are in the world gives the kids a sense of continuity. Christmas dinners, pancake saturdays, Sunday dinners and all the traditional food that is seldom available where we live forces us to learn how to make these dishes from scratch. It’s a great education for the kids to see where their food comes from and how to prepare it. It’s much healthier than the processed and packaged alternative we would likely buy if at home.

Nice post.

By: Oman

Oman — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:11:02 +0000

I agree ‘ let them step outside the box’ – the world is an extraordinary place and keeping them with the ordinary will make them ordinary.

By: Solo

Solo — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:00:29 +0000

It is always nice to see people learn from whatever experience they come accross. Travel around the world is one of those experience that will open your eyes and make you think about life in a broder perspective.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:44:06 +0000

Thank you, Beth! Encouraging post! Hope I remember these things if we ever move overseas with little ones (which I hope we do!).

By: Mary Witzl

Mary Witzl — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:48:16 +0000

Another wonderful post, and I found myself nodding in agreement at every paragraph. When we lived in Japan, we occasionally met other native English speaking families who’d spent years there without managing to learn any Japanese or make any friends who did not speak English. It seems like such a waste of time not to learn any of the language or customs.

I worry that North Africa would do me in: I really don’t DO offal. My husband still fondly recalls the huge pot of soup he was served from in Sudan, chock full of lung and intestines. He can make all of us sick just describing it. I had to close my eyes when I walked by the butcher’s in our town in Scotland so as not to see the haggis hanging in the window. I feel like a real wimp after that goat’s head story of yours.

By: jean

jean — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:10:38 +0000

Great post as usual. I love hearing about your life and travels. Because of you I’ve learned more about world. It constantly amazes me how much people are the same yet so different. Thanks for the education.

By: Kelly @ Love Well

Kelly @ Love Well — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:35:51 +0000

Too busy to comment, since I’m packing to hop the next plane to Africa with my kids in tow.

Not really, but I wish I could.

Good grief, woman, this was absolutely fascinating.

By: Beck

Beck — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:07:06 +0000

Hey, great post! I love reading about your adventurous life, and look forward to reading more posts about the nuts and bolts of making such a change.

By: jolyn

jolyn — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:59:43 +0000

Oh, and I just wanted to add re: #4. Sometimes people try to avoid the expatriate bubble to their detriment; when adjusting to a new culture, acquainting yourself with others who have done it before you can be a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the local ways. Fellow expats can serve as an introduction to locals they have already befriended, which can help ease the transition to making your own friendships.

By: jolyn

jolyn — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:55:47 +0000

What a great article. I especially loved number one. Let it all out! Then move on, literally. For those of you who aren’t already familiar with Elizabeth, go to her personal blog and walk around. You won’t be disappointed.