Challenges of Being a Mum in a Foreign Country
For most of us, moving abroad was a conscious choice. The pros and cons were carefully weighed for this decision to be reached.
For most of us, deciding to become a mum is also a conscious decision but we can never fully understand the joy and challenges that comes as part of this journey.
Some challenges are enormous and mums in foreign countries are simultaneously confronted with massive tasks. Below, I have summarised 5 challenges encountered by mums in foreign countries with tips on overcoming them.
1. Learning how to be a mum:
Most of us new mums rely on our extended families to help us as we adjust to parenthood. We are constantly asking our mums for help or clarity on what we need to do with our babies.
But for mums living in a foreign country; in most cases, we do not have this help available and might have to rely on technology to take our parents/relatives on this journey with us.
2. Family:
Often than not, we are raising our children without our close families. Our children might not be able to build close relationships with their cousins, grandparents and even aunties.
Relying on technology to build these amazing relationships is our best approach but it’s not the same.
3. Childcare:
Childcare is expensive, we rely on other mums, friends or people in our network to help with childcare on the odd days. This can be very challenging.
Most often to be able to return to work post childbirth, we need a good support network to make this transition possible. For some foreign mums, returning to work post child birth is not an option as some do not have the support needed to make this transition.
4. Education:
Understanding the educational system of the country where your children are being raised is tough.
Knowing what you need to do to enable your children to thrive in whatever domain they choose is another challenge as most often our minds are wrapped around what we know which is definitely not the same as where we are raising our children.
Partnering with friends or relatives in the educational sector is key to overcoming this challenge.
Exploring your network and asking questions as well is also beneficial to overcome this challenge.
5. Navigating a foreign culture
The double culture shock is so real. Raising “third culture kids” is not easy as we are constantly trying to help them understand their heritage as well as enable them to effectively navigate the culture in which they are being raised in.
My faith has been very instrumental in keeping me grounded as I walk this journey of parenting.