For Moms

10 questions for your mother
As expats we don’t always have the luxury of spending time with our parents as they age. We are fortunate to be able to Skype or FaceTime and continue our relationship with them despite the distance, but often we chat about daily routines and miss talking about the important questions we should ask. Bern Morley, […]

Parenting tweens with less drama
I have two girls, each with her own personality quirks and differences. While I have a good relationship with both of them now, I wonder what will happen in a few years when they become awkward, volatile teenagers. It is especially important to remain close to our children when we are so far away from […]

Don’t forget to follow the ‘Golden Rule’
By Kirsten Weir You screwed up. Maybe you came unprepared to an important meeting, or got into a fender bender while distracted by your cell phone. If something similar had happened to a good friend or family member, you’d probably tell them, “Don’t beat yourself up!” We rarely give ourselves that same advice. But maybe […]

Moms confess their deepest secrets…what’s yours?
By Rebecca Dube Every mom has a secret. “I cry myself to sleep sometimes because I am overwhelmed and I don’t feel like I can talk to anyone about it.” “I honest to goodness do not like my son most of the time and knowing that KILLS me.” “I believe ice cream for breakfast is […]

Mothers in Norway have it the best
The best place in the world to be a mom is Norway, where maternal and child mortality rates are low, women’s life expectancy and years in school are high, and the average maternity leave is about one year, a new study measuring the well-being of mothers and babies shows. Australia and Iceland join Norway at […]

Moms: Be self-compassionate
It isn’t easy parenting a child and as an expat it’s even more difficult. But it is incredibly important that we take care of ourselves, especially since we are so far from “home.” Recently, a lot of research has pointed out that if we are kind to ourselves, we take better care of ourselves and […]

Parenting in Italy
Parenting While Abroad is always looking for people who can provide perspective on raising children in a different country. Today we are pleased to post a Q&A from an American woman who lives near Venice. She prefers to remain anonymous, but has excellent tips for parents who are considering a move to Italy. She is […]

Raising a mentally healthy child
From Everyday Health: A new Internet poll of 2,000 parents finds that there are some key things you can do to raise a mentally healthy child: First, shower them with love. “Love and affection are the best predictors of good outcomes,” said Robert Epstein, a parenting expert who conducted the poll and wrote about it […]

Special needs children & schooling abroad
Rebecca Grappo is the founder of RNG International Educational Consultants, LLC, an organization dedicated to helping students find the right boarding school or university for them. Rebecca has worked with many students who have struggled in school. She has given numerous presentations for groups around the United States and abroad about education, as well as […]

Author Interview: A Portable Identity
Debra R. Bryson and Charise M. Hoge met in Bangkok, Thailand while working at a program to help expats adjust to life abroad. Both accompanying spouses with counseling backgrounds, they were interested in understanding what made some expat spouses acclimate and thrive while others remained unhappy and unsettled. They developed and led workshops focusing on […]