Children - Expat Magazine
Growing up as an expat child means learning, very early on, how to navigate different worlds. For some, it's a profoundly enriching experience. For others, it can raise difficult questions: Who am I, really? Where do I belong? For parents, supporting this identity-building process can feel like a real challenge, especially when a child's reference points are constantly shifting between home, school, the home country, and the host country. Cécile Solar, a certified coach and co-author of the Objectif Orientation guidebooks published by Hachette, helps us better understand what these children living “between two cultures” go through.
Many nations overlook the realities of repatriation. Because expats are seen as “coming home,” few imagine they might struggle to settle back in. But returning often requires a real process of reintegration, and for children born overseas, that adjustment can be even more significant.
The justice system is increasingly detailed to enhance the protection of minors. To ensure peace of mind when traveling with your child, familiarize yourself with the relevant regulations in both your home country and the destination. Here are some practical tips.
Adjusting to a new country, school, language, and culture and forming new friendships can be quite challenging for an expat child. Here are some practical tips to assist you, as an expatriate parent, in preparing your child for their integration into a new school abroad and monitoring their progress effectively.
Moving to a new country can be an exciting adventure for a child. But this transition often comes with a unique set of challenges that will frame your child's day-to-day life. Expatriate children often have to face a world that is vastly different from their own. On top of the complexities of growing up, they will need to adapt to new social situations.
Companies are increasingly aware that offering childcare services to their employees is a significant advantage in attracting young parents, especially expats. Many major cities around the world are facing a shortage of public nursery and kindergarten places, making the balance between work and personal life even more challenging. But innovation doesn't stop there: some employers now offer "overnight nannies" to their employees! Discover the employer-sponsored childcare systems that stand out for their originality.
Rest assured: moving abroad with teenagers peacefully and cheerfully is possible. Forget all the worst-case scenarios involving "rebellious teens". Here are some practical tips for preparation, understanding their needs in the host country, and managing emotions to ensure smooth organization.
Your thoughts about moving abroad are becoming more frequent, but balancing the needs of your children, your family, and yourself is challenging. Embarking on expatriation alone is daunting. How can you manage it as a single parent?
Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, and relocating with children adds an extra layer of complexity. Learn, with Amy Morton, an expat coaching professional, how to navigate the challenges, support your children's well-being, and create a thriving family life in your new home. Explore expert tips and advice on how to ensure success as a parent abroad.
Moving abroad with a family can be a different challenge from moving abroad alone or as a childless couple. School, extracurricular activities, spaces to play, safety, allowances and child-friendly policies are all issues that these parents have to take into consideration. Some countries, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, have a reputation for being child-friendly expat destinations.
Moving abroad with children, especially very young ones, can be very challenging. It can be tricky to find a school to enroll them in, but it can be even trickier to find childcare for kids who are not old yet to go to primary school. One parent in the expat couple could choose to become a stay-at-home parent, or the couple may secure subsidized public daycare or have to pay for costlier private daycare. Childcare is cheap or free in some countries like Italy and Chile, while it is less accessible or costlier in other countries like the US and Japan.
Are you tempted by a big adventure abroad with your family? How to be prepared and make your kids feel prepared? Your kids' age, their interests, visas, their education abroad, etc., are some of the key issues you need to consider carefully. Here are a few pointers.
As of August 2, all new parents in the Netherlands are now legally entitled to nine weeks of paid parental leave. It applies to both mothers and fathers, biological and adoptive parents, who will receive 70% of their wage from the Employee Insurance Agency during the leave. This legislation reinforces the Netherlands' reputation as one of the best places for expats to raise a family.
Are you an expat or planning to move to one of the following countries while considering to start a family in a non-traditional way? Adoption is another way to create a loving family by welcoming a child that couldn't be raised by its birth parents. However, many are disheartened due to the lengthy and expensive adoption process. Expat.com has made a list of the countries that encourage international adoption and support applicants in every step, making the process smoother and less costly.
Catherine is originally from South Africa. In 2019, she was one of the lucky few to be admitted to Calgary through the Express Entry System, along with her husband and their twin daughters. Catherine talks to us about the challenges of raising expat kinds in Canada.
From the US to Switzerland: This young mom working in finance in Switzerland tells Expat.com about her experience having a baby abroad…
For families, moving abroad with children comes hand-in-hand with much bigger questions than those faced by the single expatriate. While the decision to move children abroad can seem daunting, the influence of a new culture, atmosphere, school system and perhaps language can be enormously enriching for their life to come - and offers the kind of experience they simply wouldn't get in their native schoolrooms. Of course, there are a few key things to consider, so to help get the ball rolling, you'll find below some key things to think about if you're planning a move abroad with kids.
In the past three decades, an increase in freedom of expression of identity and growth of women's empowerment and financial independence have led to the rise in single-parent families. What's more, single parents don't compromise with a mediocre life, but they are in pursuit of their dreams, career success, and a high-standard nurturing environment for their children...
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