My wife and I are wanting to move out of the US. We are avid travelers, but now want to just experience something different and live abroad.
If it weren’t for our young child, this would he a lot simpler. Do any of you have young children?
How is your experience? Do you recommend it? Technically, we live a very comfortable life in the US, we own a house, good job, cars, live in a safe place, etc.
Would love to get your advice and insights and your story. Thank you!
We moved with a 2.5 year old, kid is almost 5 now. We’re also from the US.
It has been challenging and rewarding. The toughest part has been figuring out the daycare/preschool system, navigating the cultural differences, and of course the language barrier.
For example, in our new country preschool is basically free, but after school care can be difficult to find. Mothers are expected to be heavily involved (attending events during the day). Her teachers are lovely, but certain cultural norms I think are completely silly (not wanting kids to cross their legs while seated, insisting on finishing all of the lunch). And I worry about correctly expressing my concerns/advocating for my child with the language barrier.
My husband basically doesn’t speak the local language at all and it’s certainly frustrating for him when he can’t even quite understand the teacher telling him what kid did in school that day.
Overall we’re happy with our move and are still planning on staying for the foreseeable future, but in many ways it feels like parenting on “hard mode.”