Six Disturbing Experiences When Going Back Home For A Holiday

It’s been a while since you've set foot in your home country but this year, you’re going back. For a holiday. Three weeks of jam packed program trying to optimize everything and please … [Read more...]

Expats – The News You Dread (Part I)

  The news came by email. Like a punch in the gut. ‘Mum died last night.’ Lisa is stunned. She can’t detach her eyes from those four words. Her brain understands the meaning too well. … [Read more...]

Difficult Expat Conversations – The One Thing You Can’t Avoid To Create A Peaceful Holiday For Everyone (Part II)

Sally’s in a tricky situation.  For the last few weeks, her parents have been chasing and pressuring her: “When are you -- and the kids -- coming back for Christmas?” Sally is agonizing. She’s … [Read more...]

Difficult Expat Conversations – How to Create a Peaceful Holiday for Everyone Without Stressing Out (Part I)

Dring… The phone is ringing.  “Hello darling, how are you?” Sally bites her lips. “Oh mum, I’m well thank you. And you?” “I was wondering when you’re coming for Christmas?” That was … [Read more...]

The 4 Laws For Taking Care of Yourself While Taking Care Of Your Parents

When you move abroad as an accompanying spouse, you face two issues at the same time: 1. You feel like a child because you have to rely on your working partner to get a visa, open a bank … [Read more...]

Expatriates: the Invisible Force Ruling Your Marriage (and All Your Relationships)

You may not have thought about it this way, but you make "psychological contracts" in your head all the time. I bet you even know what I mean by psychological contract before I explain it … [Read more...]

Expatriates: Who Can You Rely On When Your Parents Get Sick?

Christmas Eve 2010. 6 pm, France. My parents, my brother and his wife were preparing the dinner looking forward to a tasty meal. All of a sudden, my mother felt an excruciating abdominal … [Read more...]

Expats, Not Home for Christmas? 7 Ways to Feel Closer to Your Family

“So you’re not coming back home for Christmas, are you? Oh, we’ll miss you so much. The house will be empty. It’s so sad. I was hoping you could make it. I was so looking forward to seeing the … [Read more...]

The 10 Relatives You Dread to See When Going Back Home For Christmas

The countdown has started. 12 days to Christmas. The expat community is divided: * either you’re going back home, * or you stay put. “So what are you doing for Christmas this year?” This … [Read more...]

Before Natural Disaster Strikes: a Checklist For Your Relatives Back in the Home Country

In the previous article, we saw how we, expatriates, could cope with disaster in a foreign country. In the wake of hurricane Sandy, some families are highly traumatized. But can you imagine the … [Read more...]