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...]
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Difficult Expat Conversations – How to Create a Peaceful Holiday for Everyone Without Stressing Out (Part I)
Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, Christmas, Disconnection, Expatriate Family, Expatriates' relatives, relationships
7 Truths To Help You Survive Your Partner’s Job Loss Abroad
Exactly a year ago, Peter lost his job. His European office closed a few weeks before Christmas. The whole family was in shock. Back then, I wrote an article to share their concerns and offer … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, Ambiguous Loss, Expatriate Family, Expats, relationships, Resilience, Self-care abroad, trailing spouse, Trauma
Expats: Loneliness Can Make You Sick (And What To Do About It)
Mary was perfectly healthy. Then she got nasal drops containing a cold virus and was locked up in quarantine for five days. Mary was one of the 276 healthy volunteers in “The Common Cold Study”. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, Expat loneliness, Expat Women, isolation, relationships, trailing spouse
True Story: 4 Lessons To Prevent Burn-Out Or Depression In Your Expat Family
Ashley is the leading spouse -- (aka the expat employee) -- of an American family. I met Ashley on LinkedIn a few months ago when she commented on “3 Myths About Self-Care That Make You Gamble … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, expat employee, Expat marriage, expat partner, Expat Women, expatriate, Expatriate Family, Expats, leading spouse, trailing spouse
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...]
Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, Ambiguous Loss, Expat Women, Expatriate Family, Expatriates' relatives, relationships, trailing spouse
Why Your Expat Relationship Is Out of Balance (and How to Save It Before It’s Too Late)
Move abroad and you'll get out of your comfort zone. Guaranteed. Throw in the mix a partner and (eventually) a few children. The whole system is shaken. This might sound scary but it … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, Expat and self-care, Expat marriage, expat men, Expat Women, Expatriate Family, relationships, Self-care abroad, trailing spouse
Giving And Receiving Gifts – The Secret Rules For Expats
Ever wondered what to bring when invited for the first time to a local family in your new host country? Do you remember this awkward feeling - a mix of joy and constraint - when receiving a … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: Christmas, cross-cultural communication, expatriate, Expatriate Family, Expats, Holiday Season, relationships, Values
Male Trailing Spouses: An Inconvenient Truth
Most trailing spouses are women, but in the last 15 years a new trend in the expat world is ramping up: the male trailing spouse. Defying convention, these men are pioneers in unchartered … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, cross-cultural communication, Culture, Disconnection, expat men, trailing spouse
Expatriate Connection – A Unique Reflection On 2013
As 2013 draws to a close, let me take you on a journey: the story of an expat family through all the articles published on the blog this year. All characters appearing in this work are not … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Parenting abroad, Personal development, Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, Culture Shock, Disconnection, Expat marriage, Expat Women, expatriate, Expatriate Family, Expats, Parenting, relationships, Third Culture Kids, trailing spouse
Orphan Spouse: How to Best Cope With Ambiguous Loss?
You’re an orphan spouse when you’re in a relationship but don’t live permanently with your partner under the same roof. Short term assignments, necessity or willingness to pursue dual careers, fly in … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Parenting abroad, Relationships Tagged With: accompanying partner, Ambiguous Loss, Disconnection, Expat marriage, Expatriate Family, Expats, Orphan Spouse, Parenting, Parenting abroad, relationships, Third Culture Kids, trailing spouse