family

Why Say YES to Moving Abroad with Kids

April 21, 2024 By Anne

Most people here are families moving abroad and immediately they’re either in awe of them for doing so, or they think they’re crazy for bringing kids abroad with them to live. The thing is, moving abroad with children doesn’t have to be some huge deal. We live in a very big wide world, so why not allow the kids to experience something different?

As they are going through their formative years, do you have any idea how many amazing choices for International School there are? Do you have any idea of the experience you’ll be giving your children by allowing them to live in countries that they wouldn’t have been born in? It can be very difficult for some families to choose to move abroad because they are attached to their roots. But roots are there for a reason and you can always go back home again. One of the biggest things that you can consider for your children is to move abroad, and taking the plunge to do that is a big decision to make. So we’ve put together a list of reasons why you should say yes to living abroad with kids.

Image source: Pexels

You are creating adventurous memories. If you’ve never gone to another country to live there, you’re going to have an experience of your own. But seeing it through the adventurous eyes of your children is something completely new. Let’s say you decide to move to New York. Imagine seeing the Empire State Building through the eyes of a 7 year old. Well, that’s what you’d be doing if you decided to do that with your children, because you’re going to witness the majesty on their faces when they see giant buildings and crowded streets and taxis that are bright yellow.
You get to try new things. How often is it you get to go skiing in France, or you get to catch a glimpse of waterfalls in Rupit? Or riding a frightening cable car to the top of Montserrat mountain? These are just some of the experiences that would scare an adult to death, but there would be a thrilling one for a child. You have to remember what you’re getting. Try new things with your children and you can experience these memories together as a family and they’ve become something of family lore.
You get to meet other expats. Wherever you go, there is going to be a range of people who have done the same thing you have. Perhaps some of those people have inspired you to move abroad in the first place. Getting out of your comfort zone and living in another country with another culture is going to be a big change, but you’re going to get to meet new people who have done the same thing you have and you can create links in that sense.
Your children can be your best teachers. If your children are the ones that prompt you into adventure, then why wouldn’t you want to move them abroad and have even more? Children could teach us that the world could be seen in a new light.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

The Juggling Act of Multigenerational Living

February 16, 2024 By Anne

Buckle up, buttercup, and dive headfirst into the chuckle-fest that is multigenerational living! It’s like being stuck in an unaired TV show where the cast is your family, the script is made up on the fly, and every day’s antics are worthy of an Emmy. Forget the straight and narrow; life’s a wild ride concocted by your lovably eccentric clan, with more twists and turns than a whodunit written by a gang of jesters on a sugar high.

Via Pixabay

Mixing Masterclass: The Family Edition

Imagine, if you will, a bold soul attempting the unthinkable: marrying a dignified, aged whiskey with a zesty, neon-blue energy drink. Sounds like a recipe for a night to remember or a morning to forget, right? That’s just a regular Tuesday in the multi-gen household, where merging sage wisdom with youthful exuberance is the name of the game. Think of yourself as the world’s most ambitious mixologist, serving up generational cocktails at a time-traveling soiree!

Breakfast Buffet: The Ultimate Challenge

As the sun peeks over the horizon, the kitchen turns into a battlefield, reminiscent of a culinary game show where the grand prize is satisfying a motley crew of taste buds and dietary needs before the clock strikes breakfast o’clock. From sugary-cereal aficionados to fiber-worshiping elders, whipping up the morning feast is like competing in the breakfast Olympics with a ticking timer.

Emotion Commotion: The Family Funhouse

Strap in for the rollercoaster that is family feels, where the peaks of joy are sky-high, and the drops into drama are lightning-fast. One minute, granny and the teen might be giggling over their shared tech troubles, and the next, World War III, breaks out over the TV remote. It’s a whirlwind of chuckles, sniffles, and the odd “what’s it all about?” moment, all blended into one delightful chaos.

Work-Life Circus: The Juggling Act

Trying to balance professional duties with family shenanigans is like walking a tightrope in a tornado. Picture this: you’re trying to ooze professionalism in a Zoom call while, in the background, someone’s belting out a ballad about the baffling internet router. It’s a madcap dance of mute buttons and desperate signs, where every day is an audition for the “Keeping It Together Champion” award.

Guilt Trips Galore: The Emotional Rollercoaster

Sailing the seas of family duties and personal dreams is like navigating an ocean with a map sketched in lemon juice. The guilt trips are complimentary, adding an extra layer of emotional acrobatics as you strive to distribute your time and affection evenly. It’s an adventure where every stumble is a learning curve, and every triumph is a saga-worthy milestone.

Midnight Snack Skirmish

Just when you think the house has settled for the night, the kitchen turns into the arena for the ultimate secret snack showdown. Amidst the hush, a lone figure’s quest for a humble PB&J becomes an epic saga, entangled with a ceremonial tea brewing and a countdown to pizza. These nocturnal nibbles add that extra zest to the family sitcom, proving it’s the medley of characters that conjures up the real magic.

Casting Call: The Caregiver Chronicles

Thinking of introducing a professional caregiver into the mix? 24-hour in-home care can bring you, and the grandparents some good peace of mind, especially if you’re trying to juggle work, family, and, well, life. It’s like holding tryouts for a new character on your family’s sitcom. They’ve gotta have the skills, for sure, but they also need to vibe with the current cast. Brace yourself for a slew of quirky “audition tapes” as you search for the perfect addition.

Grand Finale: Hug the Mayhem

At the close of the day, transforming your abode into a multi-gen sanctuary is akin to directing and starring in your personal reality extravaganza. Sure, you’ll hit sitcom gold now and then, like when Grandpa mistakes the printer for a futuristic cooking gadget, but it’s these snippets that make the whole shebang priceless. Treasure this moment cause we don’t have many of them in life

Encore! Keeping the Laughter Alive

To all you daring adventurers already knee-deep in this wild journey, remember: a juggling mishap here and there only adds to the intrigue and the giggles. What’s a top-notch show without a dash of suspense and a heap of heart, after all? So take your well-deserved bow, keep those juggling balls airborne, and never forget, in the wacky circus of multigenerational living, it’s the love and laughter that are your true safety nets. Who knows, you might just snag a standing ovation from the toughest crowd around—your very own family!

Anne

How Life Insurance Can Help

October 29, 2023 By Anne

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that provides coverage for a specific period of time, or term. If the policyholder dies during the term of the policy, the beneficiary receives a tax-free death benefit. Term life insurance is typically the most affordable type of life insurance, and it is a good option for people who need coverage for a specific period of time, such as while they are raising young children or paying off a mortgage.

Term life insurance can help in a number of ways, including:

* Providing financial support for loved ones after the policyholder’s death: The death benefit can be used to help pay for living expenses, funeral costs, debt repayment, or other expenses.

* Funding children’s education: The death benefit can be used to pay for college tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

* Protecting businesses: Term life insurance can be used to protect a business from financial loss if the owner dies.

* Providing peace of mind: *Knowing that loved ones are financially secure in the event of the policyholder’s death can give peace of mind.

Term life insurance policies are typically available in terms of 10, 20, or 30 years. The policyholder can choose the term length that best meets their needs. Term life insurance premiums are typically lower than the premiums for other types of life insurance, such as whole life insurance.

Here are some examples of how term life insurance can help:

* A young couple with two young children may purchase a term life insurance policy to provide for their children if one of the parents dies.

* A family with a mortgage may purchase a term life insurance policy to ensure that the mortgage will be paid off if one of the parents dies.

* A business owner may purchase a term life insurance policy to protect the business from financial loss if the owner dies.

* A person who is nearing retirement may purchase a term life insurance policy to provide a financial legacy for their loved ones.

If you are considering purchasing term life insurance, it is important to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to get the best possible rate. You should also consider the length of term that best meets your needs and budget.

Anne

Key Lessons That You Can Teach Your Child From An Early Age

July 5, 2023 By Anne

Source – Pixabay CC0 License

A child’s formative years are arguably the most important in their life. Given that they constantly look to you for guidance, it’s vital that you give them the support that they need.

While you will naturally teach your child a host of valuable lessons, you must make a conscious effort to focus on key areas. Use the following checklist for guidance, and you won’t go far wrong.

A Love Of Education

A love of learning is truly one of the greatest gifts you can give any child. Finding the right preschool is a great starting point. After all, developing a better relationship with school before they’ve even started kindergarten can only serve them well. However, you can also make learning fun at home. Exploring local wildlife, reading books at home, and visiting places with an educational twist are all great ideas.

If your child loves learning from an early age, it will shine through in later years.

The Value Of Hard Work

Knowledge is vital, but it counts for very little without a strong work ethic. Any opportunity to teach your child the value of hard work and perseverance should be grabbed with both hands. You can lead by example by running your home-based business in a professional way. However, you can also achieve great results in leisure activities. Encouraging them to keep training until they learn the new soccer move or dance routine can work wonders.

A strong work ethic will truly follow your child for life.

Source – Pixabay CC0 License

A Love Of Healthy Living

Every parent knows that they need to help their child stay healthy. Not least in today’s climate where childhood obesity is a massive problem. However, forcing them will only lead to resentment. You need to make healthy living fun. Cooking with children is a great way to teach nutrition in a positive way. Meanwhile, finding fun sports and physical activities will have an immensely positive impact. Once kids start choosing those activities, you’ve won.

Besides, it’s a great incentive to actively improve your approach to healthy living.

The Importance Of Online Safety

Children now spend more time online than any previous generation. So, you need to actively keep them safe. While adding parental controls is an essential starting point, you mustn’t end your commitment here. Providing age-appropriate advice on the dangers of online connections is crucial. Otherwise, your child could become a victim of various scams or forms of online bullying. Frankly, this is the last thing that you want your child to face.

At an early age, it’s probably best to supervise your child.

Love & Kindness

It may sound corny. But teaching your child love and kindness is truly the greatest thing you can ever do. From loving a pet to showing kindness to people from different backgrounds, it takes many forms. Most importantly, you need to show your child love on a daily basis and give them the confidence to love themselves. Feeling comfortable in their skin will have a telling impact on their overall health and happiness.

Their world will be a far better place as a result.

Anne

Five Great Movies to Stream with your Family this Summer

May 16, 2023 By Anne

Image Credit

Summer is a time for entertainment and memories, which makes it the best time to delve into the history and culture of cinema. If you are a movie buff and want to introduce your children to the joys of classic cinema, make sure you create a classic watch list to stream this summer.

The Lion King

Who could forget The Lion King? If you are of a certain vintage, you might remember seeing the original in the cinema as a child, so why not give the same experience to your kids this summer? The Lion King is a classic tale of wisdom, ambition, betrayal, and consequence.

The Lion King is a classic Disney movie that has stood the test of time, perhaps because of its classic elements – the plot is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet – and its timeless characters. If you want a new experience with the movie, you can watch the live-action version.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

If you are in the mood for some classic children’s cinema this summer, don’t forget about the Harry Potter series, which began in 2001. Harry Potter movies open up the classic debate about which is better, the movie or the books. Either way, the movies are a great way to spend a night.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone is the first of several Harry Potter movies to arrive on the big screen, and it’s an excellent movie to kickstart the franchise. One of the great things about watching franchise movies over the summer is the fact you can spread them out over weeks.

God’s Country Song

If you are looking for a feel-good drama to enjoy with the family this summer, look no further than God’s Country Song. Noah has grand plans to become the next big country movie star, but when his past catches up to him in the form of a child called JJ, he has tough choices to make.

God’s Country Song received positive critical reviews and offers an entertaining and emotional exploration of ambition, responsibility, and dedication. You can watch God’s Country Song the movie, anytime by streaming it online, the perfect way to spend a summer night with the family.

ET the Extra-Terrestrial

If there’s one thing you can count on children to adopt, it’s a taste in sci-fi movies. Sci-fi captures the imagination like no other genre and is perfect for the summer season. Forget about watching the latest summer releases in the cinema and stream classic sci-fi at home instead.

If you have kids, you almost have a responsibility to show them ET, the Extra-Terrestrial – it’s an important element in their cultural education. ET hit the big screen in 1982, and its popularity has never diminished. Of course, the effects have dated, but the timeless story is great as ever.

Classic Star Wars

Since you are on a quest for classic sci-fi, you simply cannot ignore the entertainment value and cultural impact of the classic Star Wars movies. Your kids might be more familiar with Rey Skywalker than Luke Skywalker, but there is a cultural education in there not to be missed.