https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 18:59:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2493219 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 20:44:45 +0000 mrsbookworm 2493219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You guys are a wealth of information! Thank you so much.</p> <p>@lamariniere: We would probably be in Brussels. I more than likely would SAH because I'm a school librarian here and I think it would be difficult to find something there. </p> <p>If the project finishes on time, we would return to the US in time for my oldest to start kindergarten. I'd like him to attend some sort of schooling there however, to help with language acquisition and adjusting to a new place. </p> <p>I'm not sure what we would do about our house. The company has different options that we would have to look into. </p> <p>@sugarplumsmom; @erinpye: Thanks for the tip about looking into expat groups. I'll search for some online.</p> <p>@legowife: Wow, I'm glad you enjoyed the experience! I'll definitely pm you when I have more details. Thank you so much for the offer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492957 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 11:09:15 +0000 farawayyama 2492957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm an expat in the US (midwest) as opposed to from. Honestly, I'd jump on it. It's a short enough time that it there is a forseeable end, but it is long enough that you and your children can be immersed in another culture and way of life. You will also be exposed to another way of parenting. DH and I were also expats in Japan before coming to the US (his home) so we have a different viewpoint. We are seriously considering moving back to Asia at some point with our kid(s) for a year or so.</p> <p>My biggest advice would be to connect with other expats. My boss is an immigrant who also went through the same immigration process as I did and we have the shared experience of being foreigners raising children in the midwest. I find that key, because there are issues that my American friends don't get because it's normal to them (and I'm sure vice versa if they were in New Zealand). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492862 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 06:42:59 +0000 Legowife 2492862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbookworm: you sound exactly like us! We spent 3 years in Belgium. I'm not sure if you can pm me for more details. It can be tough but we loved it! 95% of kids start school there at age 3 so it's a great way to meet people. There is huge expat community so we found it easy to make friends. There's lots of playgroups and moms meet ups amongst expats. Children's services there are great. Daycare can be hard to find but is mostly good quality and inexpensive. There's gorgeous woodland, nice sandy beaches. You can take the train to Paris, London or Amsterdam in less than 2 hours. We loved our experience there </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492844 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 03:50:19 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2492844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tofuwad: I love how you mentioned your idyllic childhood in Sweden. This is what I hope to offer my daughter :happy: Btw, I also lived in S.Korea for a bit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492843 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 03:48:12 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2492843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to chime in on the expat groups - if you'll be living in larger city, you'll have no problems meeting up with other expats. However, if you prefer small-town living, it would be exceptionally difficult to be in touch with North American expats since the ones that live out in the sticks tend to be more private (not unlike myself). It's definitely something to consider. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492841 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 03:16:50 +0000 erinpye 2492841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My aunt moved to Belgium with 2 very small children, for a few years for my uncle's work, and our family loved it because we went and spent Christmas! From what I know, it was hard for her, especially because my uncle traveled a lot, but she loved it too. They had some American women's groups that she was a part of and she had friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492824 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 01:22:31 +0000 lamariniere 2492824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought of one more thing. Do you currently rent or own? If you own, what will you do with your place while you are away? I have friends here from the US who rent out their home, but it's kind of a headache. We rented before we left, so it was not even a thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492820 Sat, 12 Mar 2016 01:16:31 +0000 lamariniere 2492820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've been expats for 3 years in Austria, but my DH has spent 80% of his career living and working in other countries. I personally love it. I mean, it isn't sunshine and roses every day, but the benefits vastly outweigh the negatives. We will likely spend most of his career abroad (my job is totally portable). </p> <p>If you go to Belgium would you be in Brussels? (I'm somewhat familiar with Brussels.) There is a huge expat community there since it's the European and NATO headquarters, plus there are lots of international companies and organizations, so I don't think it would be that difficult to meet people. Would you be allowed to work or would you SAH? And would you be ok with that? Most expat spouses that I know here can't legally work unless their spouse is European or they find some type of special arrangement. So that's something to consider if you really want to be able to work. Belgium is also a great gateway country for exploring Europe (and beyond). Another thing to look into, would your oldest need to start school before you return home? Or would you want your LOs in daycare? I would look into if daycare or school costs are paid for by your DH's employer. Daycare in a foreign country has the added benefit of teaching your child an extra language. My two LOs are completely trilingual because of daycare! If it were me, I would jump on the chance, especially before your LOs are school aged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492759 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 22:45:07 +0000 PinkElephant 2492759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I moved overseas the year after I finished college with my then-boyfriend, who had an 18-month career opportunity. The assignment got extended, and turned into a second international relocation. Eight years, a wedding, and two kids later, we returned to the U.S. about a year ago, and I am so thankful for the experience. I actually think having the kids made it easier to meet people, make connections, and get settled, both in our overseas moves and our return "home". It's definitely a challenge each time you relocate, so as others have said, you need to be realistic and mentally prepare for the worst. But, I will say that if the right opportunity came up in the right place (ie a safe, first world country), we'd go again in a heartbeat, even with our nearly 2 and nearly 4 year olds. I would, however, look into what kind of childcare/school placement/school fees help your husbands company might be willing to provide as part of his package. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492623 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 20:30:38 +0000 regberadaisy 2492623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbookworm: for a short term opportunity I would so do it!!! It's my dream to be able to take our kids and live overseas for a year or two. Before school aged is even more perfect. Im SO antisocial. But TBH with the wonder of a new city and country I'm sure we could stay occupied. I think my one requirement would be a country where English is at least the second language. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492618 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 20:26:43 +0000 mrsbookworm 2492618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much for all your input! There are so many things to consider. This would be a short term opportunity while my husband works on a project, probably 1-3 years. He works for a large international company, so we could either move back after the project's over or consider other international destinations. </p> <p>It would be great to have the opportunity to travel in Europe on weekends, but I am worried about making new friends. My children aren't school aged yet so I would really need to seek out opportunities to meet people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492488 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 17:44:59 +0000 tofuwad 2492488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up overseas but haven't lived outside of my home country with kids. </p> <p>I would say that make sure you're up for making an effort to establish a new village. My mother was pretty depressed while we lived overseas and a lot of it had to do with her feeling like such a fish out of water (but she is not the best example because she's bipolar/an addict).</p> <p>It may be easier while your LOs are school aged because you'll potentially have more expat mom friends if you put them in an international school. </p> <p>Also, look online now for some expat forums or even mom groups in the city you'll be living in. When I moved to Korea I found some just by Googling and it helped me know what to expect. </p> <p>Friends is definitely the hardest part. And make sure your marriage is rock solid with open communication. Tons of my friends growing up ended up moving back to their passport countries (it wasn't really a "home" country anymore) because their parents got divorced. </p> <p> I sound like a total downer but I will say that growing up outside of my passport country was pretty awesome and I'm really thankful my parents made it work for as long as they did. I spent my young childhood in Sweden and had this crazy idyllic childhood. I also think that it has made me a more open person. </p> <p>and if you get there and hate it, don't be hard on yourself. It's not for everyone. I could not do it as an adult. I briefly lived in Korea after I got married and it was just too much of a struggle. Something simple like hiring a plumber seemed so insurmountable.</p> <p>You should definitely do it! If you guys hate it you can always move back. Sorry this is such a rambly post. It's hard to make friends but I doubt it's something you'll ever regret. </p> <p>And fwiw none of us kids ever had problems moving. You'll find that third culture kids just adapt and it's way harder as a mom than it is for the kids. </p> <p><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_culture_kid" rel="nofollow">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_culture_kid</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492469 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 17:28:46 +0000 sunny 2492469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would you live there long term or would it be a 1-3 year opportunity?</p> <p>I recently read a FB post by a 20-something woman who has lived in the US her whole life. She was on a long term dependent visa (her dad's job was here) then she transitioned to a student visa when she went to university. She has no legal right to live here because she's been on visas her whole life, so she's now forced to return to her country of birth that she hasn't been to since she was a baby. She is an American at heart and feels almost no connection to her country of birth (other than a vague cultural connection). I have coworkers who have young kids who will end up in this situation as well if they continue to stay here. It breaks my heart that there isn't a legal way for them to stay even though they are Americans in spirit.</p> <p>Anyhow, that was my long winded story of a downside to being a long term expat in a country you can't easily claim legal residence to. I think short term expat opportunities can be great for the family, but as the kids get older and more rooted, it complicates things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492376 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 16:15:04 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2492376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Belgium sounds nice! I've been living in Scandinavia for the past few years and although we're settled in, I'd love to experience a completely different place for a year. I'd hate to take LO away from all her friends at preschool (she's 3.5), but a temporary relocation sounds so fun right now.</p> <p>As for a long-term move, my advice would be to imagine how it would be without any friends and family nearby to help. If you're the type that wouldn't mind, then go for it! But if you know that being away from friends and family will be really hard adjustment, then I'd reconsider. It can be especially difficult to meet new people as an expat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492351 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 15:58:13 +0000 mrbee 2492351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbookworm: My family moved overseas to the Philippines in November (our kids are 4 and 6). It's been a great experience overall, and I definitely recommend living overseas for families with kids!</p> <p>The hardest part for us has been that nothing is set up where we live, so we had to find our own teachers, find childcare on our own, etc. These things do exist for locals here, but just not for expats!</p> <p>Another challenge is that it's not always easy making parent friends in a foreign country! We had an awesome village back in Brooklyn, and I definitely miss it. So far we've made some good friends, but it's harder to find parents with kids the same age as our own. We're getting there, but it takes time! I think that if you struggle with loneliness, then moving overseas can be a tough adjustment. The extra wrinkle for us is that the internet is slower here, so a lot of our evening entertainment is out (Netflix, Hulu, surfing the web, etc.)</p> <p>I don't have any regret, but my biggest advice would be to set expectations low... and expect it to take 6-12 months to figure everything out! Things get better with every passing month, but I didn't realize that it would take so long to settle in and feel at home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expat-bees#post-2492319 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 15:37:27 +0000 mrsbookworm 2492319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH has a job opportunity that would cause us to move to Belgium. Before having children, I would have jumped on this. Now, I'm hesitating because I finally feel like I have a handle on being a SAHM and have found my "village" of mom friends.</p> <p>Would you recommend the experience? Anything I should consider before making a decision? Our kids are 3 and 1 so I think they would be completely fine! </p>