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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.

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.

I grew up overseas but haven't lived outside of my home country with kids.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_culture_kid

@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.

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).

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.

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.

@tofuwad: I love how you mentioned your idyllic childhood in Sweden. This is what I hope to offer my daughter Btw, I also lived in S.Korea for a bit!

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.

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).