Expecting Expats

In this very special episode of Expecting Expats, we’re joined by Mandolyn Crotts, founder of Carry Them Ministries, a nonprofit organisation in Nigeria supporting mothers and babies through breastfeeding education, nutritional support and care for infants facing severe malnutrition.Originally from Texas, Mandolyn moved to Nigeria with her husband in 2018, initially planning to stay for just one year. Eight years and four children later, Nigeria has become home – and what started as a desire to help her local community has grown into an organisation making a meaningful difference in the lives of mothers and babies.We talk about what it means to raise a family abroad, navigating motherhood and the healthcare system in a very different cultural context, and how an expat experience can open your eyes to needs and opportunities you might never have encountered otherwise.In this conversation, Mandolyn shares some incredibly personal parts of her journey, including adopting her first child in Nigeria, her own experiences giving birth there, and the challenges she faced during her postpartum recovery.In this episode, we talk about:​Moving abroad with the intention of staying for just one year – and finding a completely different life than expected.​The maternal and infant health challenges Mandolyn witnessed in Nigeria, and how these inspired her to start Carry Them.​Breastfeeding education, formula marketing and the importance of giving mothers access to accurate information and practical support.​Adopting her first child in Nigeria and navigating motherhood in a new country.​Giving birth abroad, postpartum complications and the importance of respectful maternity care.​Building a community-based organisation and working alongside local women and staff.​How living abroad can give us a different perspective and inspire us to make an impact.​The importance of women supporting women, sharing experiences and building community.About Carry ThemCarry Them works to support mothers and babies in Nigeria through breastfeeding support, nutrition education and care for vulnerable infants. You can learn more about their work and how to support the organisation here:🌍 Website: https://carrythem.orgFind us and our workWhether you're navigating pregnancy, parenthood, relationships or life abroad, we’d love to connect with you!Amanda Graybill – Mindful MamaAmanda supports expecting and new parents through childbirth education, GentleBirth workshops, doula support and one-to-one coaching, with a special focus on international families.🌍 Website: https://www.mindfulmamafrankfurt.com/📧 Email: [email protected] / Camilla Jensen – Worlds Apart CounselingCamilla is a couples counsellor specialising in expats and international couples, offering couples and individual counselling in Frankfurt and online.🌍 Website: https://www.worldsapartcounseling.com📧 Email: [email protected]🎧 What we're listening toAs always, we end the episode by sharing some recommendations!Mandolyn: Theo of Golden – an audiobook she describes as a beautiful reminder that the world is not as frightening as it can sometimes seem, and that there is still so much beauty in it.CJ: Pinkpill Rx – a podcast discussing interesting topics around women and society. CJ especially recommends episode 75, “AI Gender Bias.”​You can find Pinkpill Rx here: https://pinkpillrxhq.com/​Thank you so much to Mandolyn for sharing her story and the incredible work she is doing. ❤️And to all our listeners: remember that we are stronger when we support one another. Community, connection and sharing our stories are such important parts of the expat journey.

Moving abroad and building a life in a new country can be exciting, but finding a real sense of belonging? That can be a whole different story. ❤️In this episode of our Expat Experts series, Amanda and CJ sit down with Raehyun Kim, founder of Link n Learn in Frankfurt, to talk about building community, helping children grow in confidence, and creating a home away from home for international families.Originally from South Korea, Raehyun moved to Germany almost 21 years ago. After becoming a mother, she began asking herself a question many parents can relate to: What is my purpose beyond being a mom?That question, combined with her desire to create a welcoming space for her daughter and other international families, inspired her to build Link n Learn — a place where children can explore, learn and express themselves, while parents connect and build friendships of their own.We talk about:✨ Finding your our village abroad — Why community is so important for expat parents who don't have family nearby, and why building lasting connections can be harder when people are constantly moving away.💛 Raising confident third-culture kids — How growing up between cultures can shape children's identities, and why having a space where they feel understood and included matters.🎭 Helping shy children find their voice — How creative classes, performances and opportunities for self-expression can help children discover their confidence.🤝 Making connections as an adult — How a community can help parents build friendships, even when striking up a conversation with another mum doesn't come naturally.💃 The magic of dancing together — Why Raehyun believes dancing brings people closer, creates joy and helps build a stronger sense of togetherness.🌱 Building a business with purpose — Raehyun shares the challenges of growing Link n Learn, the importance of staying connected to the families she serves, and why protecting her own happiness and boundaries is essential to keeping her passion alive.Our biggest takeaways​Community isn't just a nice extra when you're living abroad — it can be an essential part of feeling at home.​Children thrive when they feel safe, welcomed and encouraged to express themselves.​Finding your people can make navigating life between cultures feel a little less lonely.​You don't have to be a confident extrovert to build meaningful friendships. Sometimes you just need a little help getting started.​Community doesn't happen by accident. It's built, nurtured and held together by people who care.And Raehyun's beautiful reminder to take with you: “It's not about where you live, but it's about who you're surrounded by. So, as long as you have your tribe of people around you, you can make anything your home.”🔗 Link n Learn: https://linknlearn.de/Raehyun is also part of Jummadols, a dancing duo that celebrates fun, creativity and the joy of moving together.💃 Find Jummadols on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jummadols?si=DbJpcLwMsWLqrTHy You can also find Jummadols on Instagram and TikTok.What we've been listening to 🎧As always, we're sharing a few podcast recommendations at the end of the episode!​Achieve Your Goals with Hal Elrod — Raehyun's recommendation, inspired by her morning routine and The Miracle Morning.​The Diary of a CEO — Another podcast Raehyun enjoys.​Child – BBC Radio 4 — Amanda's recommendation, exploring childhood, development and the science and history of how we grow.​28ish Days Later – BBC Radio 4 — Amanda's other recommendation, a fascinating deep dive into the menstrual cycle.Connect with Amanda & CJ 💕Amanda Graybill – Mindful Mama FrankfurtExplore Amanda's work and resources for mothers: https://www.mindfulmamafrankfurt.com/CJ – Worlds Apart CounselingFor couples counselling with a focus on expat and international couples, visit: https://worldsapartcounseling.com/

Kids’ clothes. Seasonal changes. Hand-me-downs. Rain pants. And… somehow an enormous amount of mental energy. 😂On the surface, swapping your children’s clothes from one season to the next sounds simple. But then come the questions: What still fits? Do we have rain pants? Where are the winter shoes? What needs replacing? What should we save for the younger sibling?It’s not just the clothes. It’s the mental load.In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ talk about the invisible planning, remembering, anticipating and decision-making that comes with changing your children’s wardrobes — and why this can feel even more complicated when you’re raising kids abroad.We talk about:👕 Why the seasonal clothes swap is a whole project
🧠 What the mental load actually is
🇩🇪 The expat layer — including German Kita requirements and the infamous Regenhose!
👧👦 Hand-me-downs, siblings & storage
🛍️ Sustainability vs. reality
💬 Whether a fair partnership really means 50/50
❤️ Why recognition of invisible work matters
📅 Small systems that can make recurring tasks easierAnd then there’s the emotional load. Because packing away tiny clothes isn’t just about clothes. It’s also a reminder that your child has grown, another season has passed, and time is moving very, very quickly. 🥹💡 Our takeawayYou don’t have to solve the entire mental load in one conversation. But noticing it is a start.Talk about what you’re each carrying. Make the invisible visible. Recognize the work that isn’t immediately obvious. And find small systems that make recurring tasks easier.And if you’re currently surrounded by tiny sweaters, rain pants and piles of clothes that no longer fit… we see you. 😂❤️🔗 Resources & Recommendations🧠 Mental Load / Equal Care Test
Make invisible care work visible and start a conversation about how mental load is distributed. Available in English and German.
👉 https://mental-load-test.org/en/start/ (mental-load-test.org)📖 CJ’s recommendation: Attached
Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller explores adult attachment styles and how they can influence romantic relationships.
👉 https://amirlevinemd.com/books/attached/ (Amir Levine, MD)🎧 Amanda’s recommendation: In the Dark
Amanda is hooked on In the Dark from The New Yorker. Their current series, The Journey, investigates a mysterious California couple and a shocking surrogacy story.
👉 https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/in-the-dark/the-journey (The New Yorker)🌍 Amanda’s Work — Mindful Mama
English-language pregnancy, birth and early-parenthood support for international families in Frankfurt and online.
👉 https://www.mindfulmamafrankfurt.com/ (Mindful Mama)❤️ CJ’s Work — Worlds Apart Counseling
CJ (Camilla Jensen) works with expat and international couples and families around communication, relationship patterns and cross-cultural challenges.
👉 https://worldsapartcounseling.com💕 About Expecting ExpatsExpecting Expats is a podcast for expat parents navigating pregnancy, parenthood, relationships, identity and family life abroad.We’re here for the messy, funny, beautiful and sometimes overwhelming parts of raising a family away from home. Thanks for being part of our community! ❤️

Watching your kids grow up is one of those beautiful contradictions of parenthood: you can be incredibly proud of who they’re becoming while also quietly wishing you could freeze time.In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ have an honest, emotional conversation about the bittersweet experience of letting go as our children become more independent — and how that experience can feel even more complicated when you’re raising kids abroad.Amanda shares what it was like to say goodbye as her nine-year-old son flew to Madrid on a school trip — his first time travelling abroad without his parents. What should have been a moment of excitement and pride also brought a surprising amount of grief and anxiety as Amanda realized that her little boy is becoming a big kid.CJ reflects on her own smaller, everyday moments of letting go, from watching her four-year-old confidently navigate a doctor's appointment to realizing that her almost-three-year-old can do far more independently than she sometimes gives him credit for.Together, they talk about:💕 The emotional rollercoaster of watching our children become more independent✈️ Why a school trip abroad can feel like such a huge milestone😭 How two things can be true at the same time — we can be proud and heartbroken, excited and scared🍼 Why milestones like weaning can unexpectedly bring up feelings about our children growing up🇩🇪 How parenting in Germany can encourage independence from a young age🌍 The unique expat experience of raising children who may one day feel at home in multiple countries🏡 What it means to be a “safe harbor” that our children can always return to👣 Learning to support our children's independence without hovering💭 The identity shifts that happen for us as our children need us in different ways👀 The unique experience of being the people who hold the memories of our children's childhood when extended family lives far away❤️ Learning to grieve the little versions of our children while making space for who they're becomingOne of the biggest reminders from this conversation is that letting go isn't one single moment — it's a lifelong rhythm. Our children will continue to need us, but the way they need us will change.And perhaps that's the heart of parenting: helping them feel secure enough to go out into the world while knowing they always have somewhere safe to come home to.🎧 What We're Listening ToAmanda recommends:
How to Let Go of What You Can't Control and Redirect Your Energy — Mel Robbins PodcastCJ recommends:
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés💕 Connect With AmandaAmanda Graybill is a childbirth educator and birth doula supporting international families through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood in Frankfurt and beyond.Through Mindful Mama, Amanda offers English-language childbirth education, GentleBirth and other support for international families.🌐 mindfulmamafrankfurt.comAmanda's work includes online and in-person support for international families, including childbirth education and pregnancy/parenting support.💕 Connect With CJCJ / Camilla Jensen is a couples counselor specializing in expat and international couples.Through Worlds Apart Counseling, CJ offers support to couples navigating relationships, connection and the unique challenges that can come with building a life abroad.🌐 Worlds Apart CounselingYou can learn more about CJ's work and book a session through her website.

Summer is (almost) over, and we're back in Frankfurt! ☀️🍂In this lighthearted summer catch-up episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ sit down to share what their summers actually looked like—from family trips and international travel to summer camps, weddings, World Cup fever, and the very real exhaustion that comes with travelling with kids.CJ spent much of the summer at her family's holiday house in Sweden before heading to Denmark, while Amanda packed in trips to Valencia, Amsterdam and Utrecht, plus a children's sailing course back in Germany. Needless to say, neither summer was exactly restful!We chat about the joys (and challenges!) of travelling with children, including putting kids into a Spanish summer camp for the first time, navigating cultural differences around mealtimes and bedtime, and discovering that sometimes… home really is where the pretzels are. 🥨We also talk about the reality of having young children at home during the long summer break—with no school or daycare—and why getting back to a regular routine can feel like such a relief for parents.But summer wasn't all chaos. We reflect on our summer bucket lists, the spontaneous moments that ended up being some of our favourites, and the things we want to carry with us into autumn. For CJ, that's the cosy feeling of Swedish summers and spending time in nature. For Amanda, it's making more room for fun and spontaneity while letting go of some of that summer FOMO.And because autumn feels a little bit like a new year when you're a parent, we also look ahead to what's coming next—including CJ's exciting new chapter as a certified couples counsellor.In this episode, we talk about:What a summer of expat family life really looks likeTravelling around Europe with young childrenSpending the summer in Sweden, Denmark, Spain and the NetherlandsPutting children into a Spanish summer camp for the first timeThe challenges (and unexpected joys) of navigating different culturesWhy Spanish family events happening at 10pm can be a shock to the system!The never-ending work of feeding and entertaining children during school holidaysThe relief of getting back to school, daycare and regular routinesOur summer bucket lists—and whether we actually completed themSummer nights, World Cup fever and spontaneous adventuresThe funny ways our children develop a sense of belongingWhy sometimes home is where the pretzels are 🥨What we want to leave behind and carry into the autumnEmbracing cosy autumn vibes and making plans to get through the winterCJ's new chapter as a certified couples therapistPodcast RecommendationsThis episode's recommendations include:Two Cents Podcast – A witty and honest podcast about the experience of living life in Germany as African women.Camp Shame – A documentary-style, true-crime-ish podcast about a children's weight-loss camp. Definitely one for a particular mood!A little reminder for fellow expat parentsSometimes a holiday isn't actually a holiday.Travelling with children can mean cooking, cleaning, managing bedtime, navigating unfamiliar places and keeping everyone entertained—just in a different location. But that doesn't mean the memories aren't worth it.Whether your summer was full of adventures or mostly involved trying to keep everyone fed and alive, we hope this episode reminds you that you're not the only one figuring it out as you go.Thanks for joining us for this little summer update. We're so happy you're here❤️More from Amanda & CJ🌍 CJ — Worlds Apart CounselingCJ is a couples therapist who works with expat and international couples, helping partners navigate the unique challenges that can come with building a relationship and family across cultures.👉 Worlds Apart Counseling🌿 Amanda — Mindful Mama FrankfurtAmanda is a childbirth educator and doula offering childbirth education and support for international families in Frankfurt, with classes available in English.👉 Mindful Mama Frankfurt

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed as a mother that you suddenly snap—and then immediately feel guilty or ashamed about it?In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ are having an honest, vulnerable conversation about something many mothers experience but few feel comfortable talking about: mom rage.Mom rage can feel frightening and completely out of character. It might look like yelling, snapping, feeling like you’re about to explode, or simply needing to get away because your nervous system has reached its limit. And while the aftermath can bring a huge amount of guilt and shame, this episode explores a different way of understanding these moments: what if rage is a signal rather than a personal failure?Amanda and CJ talk openly about their own experiences with mom rage, including the everyday situations that can push them over the edge—from bedtime battles and getting out the door in the morning to overstimulation, expectations, and the enormous mental load of motherhood.They also explore why anger can be particularly complicated for women. CJ shares insights from Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly about the ways women are often socialized to suppress anger, while Amanda reflects on the difference between ordinary anger and the feeling of rage that seems to take over before you have a chance to respond differently.And then there’s the expat parenting piece.When you're raising children abroad, the overwhelm of motherhood can come with another layer of complexity: parenting in a language that isn't your first, navigating unfamiliar systems, worrying about being judged, and trying to reconcile different cultural expectations about what "good parenting" looks like.We also talk about the difference between guilt and shame, why shame can keep mothers isolated, and how connection and community can help us move from “I am a bad mom” toward “I did something I wish I had handled differently.”Most importantly, we talk about what can actually help.From noticing the early physical signs of overwhelm, taking a break, stepping out of the room, asking your partner to take over, grounding yourself, and using tools to reduce sensory overload, Amanda and CJ share some practical strategies that can help you catch yourself before you get on the “crazy train.”And if you do snap? Repair—with your children, with yourself, and with the people you trust.Because mom rage is a nervous-system response to overwhelm, not proof that you're a bad mother.In this episode, we talk about:What mom rage actually feels likeWhy mom rage can feel so different from ordinary angerOverstimulation, stress, sleep deprivation and the mental load of motherhoodThe connection between anger, boundaries and unmet needsWhy women are often taught to suppress angerGuilt vs. shame—and why the distinction mattersThe role of the nervous system and our fight-or-flight responseRecognizing the warning signs before you reach your breaking pointPractical strategies for managing overwhelmRepairing with your children after you've snappedParenting across cultures and navigating conflicting expectationsThe additional pressures of expat motherhoodWhy community and connection are so importantLearning to listen to your anger without taking it out on your childrenIf you've ever wondered, “Why am I reacting like this? I love my children so much—so why do I feel like I'm about to explode?”—this conversation is for you.You are not alone. You are not a bad mother. And you don't have to carry the shame by yourself.Resources mentioned in this episode📖 Mom Rage: Understanding Anger Before It Erupts📖 Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly🎧 The Motherhood Sessions🎧 Motherhood Until Yesterday — including the episode On Mom Rage with Mina DupinKeywordsexpat parenting, expat motherhood, expat family life, expat parenting tips, expat family support, mom rage, motherhood, maternal anger, parenting overwhelm, nervous system, motherhood abroad, international families

Having a baby is a huge life transition. Having a baby in a foreign country — while trying to navigate a complicated bureaucracy in a language that isn't your own — can add a whole other layer of overwhelm.In this episode of Expecting Expats, we talk with Marijke, co-founder of Elterngeld Help, about one of the less glamorous realities of expat family life in Germany: paperwork.From figuring out whether you're eligible for Elterngeld to understanding the difference between Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus, there is a lot to understand — and many international parents don't realise just how much planning can affect the benefits they receive.Marijke shares her own experience of becoming a parent in Germany as a Dutch-British expat, including navigating the system as a self-employed, privately insured parent. Her experience of trying to understand a 23-page Elterngeld application eventually inspired her and her husband to create Elterngeld Help, a tool designed to make the process more accessible for international families.In this episode, we talk about:​Why German bureaucracy can feel particularly overwhelming for international parents​The emotional and mental load of navigating paperwork during the postpartum period​What Elterngeld is and who may be eligible​The differences between Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus​How working part-time can affect your Elterngeld​Why self-employed parents need to understand how their income is calculated​How having another child can affect your Elterngeld calculation​Why it's important to understand your eligibility rather than assuming you don't qualify​How visa status can affect Elterngeld eligibility​Why some families wait months before receiving their first payment​The importance of planning ahead if you're self-employed or considering having another baby​Additional considerations for families with premature babies, twins, triplets or children with disabilities ​And why asking for support isn't a sign that you're failing — especially when you're navigating parenthood abroadAbout Elterngeld Help:Marijke runs Elterngeld Help, an English-language service for parents applying for Elterngeld in Germany. Free eligibility check, calculator and month planner. If you'd rather not fight the 23-page German form yourself, they'll go through your situation on a call and send back your complete, filled-in application within 48 hours. You sign it and send it off. Expecting Expats listeners get €30 off that service, €149 instead of €179, with code EXPECTING30.👉 Find out more: elterngeldhelp.comMore from Amanda & CJ🌍 CJ — Worlds Apart CounselingCJ is a couples therapist who works with expat and international couples, helping partners navigate the unique challenges that can come with building a relationship and family across cultures.👉 Worlds Apart Counseling🌿 Amanda — Mindful Mama FrankfurtAmanda is a childbirth educator and doula offering childbirth education and support for international families in Frankfurt, with classes available in English.👉 Mindful Mama FrankfurtPodcasts we recommend 🎧As always, we ended the episode by sharing what we've been listening to lately.Marijke recommends: 🎧 Child — a BBC/Channel 4 podcast she listened to during pregnancy. She found it informative and reassuring, particularly because it helped her understand what was happening in her body throughout pregnancy.Amanda recommends:🎧 The Mel Robbins Podcast — Amanda has been listening to Mel Robbins again and particularly enjoyed a recent episode featuring an orthopaedic surgeon and longevity specialist, discussing ways women can support their long-term health and strength as they age.CJ recommends:🎧 Real Survival Stories — CJ has been listening to this podcast before falling asleep and particularly recommends the episode “Saved by a Humpback Whale,” a fascinating and touching story about a researcher who has an extraordinary encounter with a humpback whale.

Some conversations are simply too valuable to leave in the archives.In this special re-release of Expecting Expats, we're taking you back to one of our favourite early episodes, when CJ and former co-host Kari sat down with birth doula and GentleBirth instructor Amanda while both eagerly awaiting the arrival of their baby boys.At the time of this recording, Kari and CJ were preparing for birth themselves, and Amanda guided them through what it really means to prepare—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally—for one of life's biggest transitions.As a birth doula and GentleBirth instructor, Amanda's approach has always centred on helping women feel informed, confident, and empowered. Rather than focusing on achieving one specific type of birth, she encourages parents to build the knowledge, mindset, and tools they need to make decisions that feel right for them, no matter how their birth unfolds.For families navigating pregnancy abroad, this message can feel even more important. Different healthcare systems, unfamiliar birth practices, language barriers, and being far from your usual support network can leave many expectant parents feeling uncertain. Amanda reminds us that while we can't control every aspect of birth, we can prepare ourselves, understand our options, and advocate for our needs.What is GentleBirth?GentleBirth is a childbirth education and mindset programme that combines evidence-based birth education with mindfulness, breathing techniques, sports psychology, and cognitive training. Its goal isn't to promise a perfect or pain-free birth—instead, it helps parents develop confidence, resilience, and practical coping strategies so they can approach labour feeling calm, informed, and empowered.One of the core principles Amanda shares throughout this episode is that every woman deserves autonomy during birth. Understanding your options, asking questions, making informed decisions, and having a supportive birth partner can make a significant difference to your overall birth experience.In this episode, we talk about:* What GentleBirth is and how it differs from traditional birth preparation* Preparing mentally and emotionally for labour* Building confidence before birth* Why autonomy and informed decision-making matter* How birth partners can become your greatest source of support* Letting go of the idea of the "perfect" birth* Preparing for birth while living abroad* Feeling empowered, regardless of how your birth unfoldsOur Favourite Expat Parenting Tips from This Episode:✨ Learn about your birth options before labour begins.✨ Choose a birth partner who understands how to advocate for your wishes.✨ Preparation isn't about controlling birth—it's about building confidence and flexibility.✨ Ask questions and don't be afraid to speak up for yourself.✨ Remember that every birth is unique, and there is no single "right" way to give birth.A Reminder for Every Expectant ParentBirth rarely goes exactly as planned, but preparation can help you meet the unexpected with confidence.Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, medicated birth, or caesarean birth, Amanda's message remains the same: you deserve to understand your choices, feel supported, and have a voice throughout your birth experience.For anyone navigating pregnancy while living abroad, this episode offers reassurance that knowledge, preparation, and the right support can help you feel more confident wherever in the world you're giving birth.Because empowering parents doesn't begin when the baby arrives—it begins during pregnancy.We hope you enjoy revisiting this special conversation with Amanda, and if you're hearing it for the first time, we hope it leaves you feeling informed, inspired, and ready to approach birth with confidence.Find out more about Amanda’s work here: https://www.mindfulmamafrankfurt.comFind CJ here: www.worldsapartcounseling.com

What happens when your family life changes dramatically while living far from home? In this heartfelt and deeply honest episode of Expecting Expats, we sit down with author, speaker, and founder of Ignite Spark, Louisette Winkel, to discuss one of the most challenging topics many families face: navigating separation and divorce while raising children abroad.As an expat mother of three, Louisette shares her personal journey of moving from the Netherlands to Germany, building a new life abroad, and later facing an unexpected separation. Through her story, she offers powerful insights into resilience, personal growth, and creating a healthy co-parenting relationship that keeps children's wellbeing at the centre.Together, we explore how expat parenting can become even more complex during major life transitions, especially when you're far from your usual support systems and navigating different legal systems, languages, and cultural expectations.This episode is filled with practical advice, hope, and reminders that even in life's most difficult moments, it's possible to create stability, connection, and a new vision for your family.In this episode, we talk about:* Navigating separation and divorce while living abroad* How expat life can add additional challenges to co-parenting* Supporting children through major family transitions* Creating a new family structure after divorce* Why personal growth is essential during difficult seasons of life* Helping children feel safe and heard during change* The importance of communication and collaboration in co-parenting* Finding community and rebuilding your support system as an expat parent* Creating new family traditions and redefining what family looks likeKey Takeaways for Expat Parents✨ Children need honesty, reassurance, and stability during periods of change.✨ It's okay to acknowledge your own grief while still supporting your children.✨ Co-parenting works best when parents focus on what they can control and keep their children's needs at the centre.✨ Building a new version of family life takes time, patience, and flexibility.✨ Seeking professional support, such as family or play therapy, can make a huge difference during transitions.Our Favourite Expat Parenting Tips from This Episode:* Keep communication open and age-appropriate with your children.* Involve children in conversations about new family routines when possible.* Inform schools and caregivers about major changes happening at home.* Lean on your community and ask for support when you need it.* Focus on creating a sense of safety and consistency for your children.* Remember that healing and rebuilding take time.A Reminder for Every Expat ParentSeparation and divorce are never easy, and navigating them while living abroad can feel especially overwhelming. But this episode is a powerful reminder that there is no perfect way to move through difficult transitions.With patience, support, and intentional communication, families can find a new rhythm and create a version of expat family life that still feels loving, connected, and secure.Whether you're currently navigating separation, supporting a friend through it, or simply looking for expat parenting tips and insights into building resilient families abroad, this conversation offers compassion, practical advice, and hope.Because sometimes the greatest gift we can give our children is showing them that even in difficult seasons, families can adapt, heal, and grow together.Connect with Louisette WinkelBook: Flip Your ScriptInstagram: @ignitespark4u Website: https://www.ignitespark4u.com

Summer has officially arrived, and for many international families, that means a season filled with sunshine, travel plans, school holidays, and a healthy dose of chaos. In this special catch-up episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ sit down for an honest conversation about what life looks like right now as moms raising children abroad.From summer bucket lists and family traditions to the realities of traveling with kids and attending weddings with little ones in tow, this episode is a reminder that expat parenting is often a balancing act between creating magical memories and simply surviving the logistics.CJ shares exciting personal news as she completes her couples therapy training and prepares to open her own practice supporting international families and couples in Frankfurt. Amanda opens up about the anticipation—and anxiety—of a summer packed with family adventures, including a formal wedding with two energetic boys.Together, they reflect on the changing seasons of expat motherhood, the freedom that comes as children get older, and the importance of embracing both the beautiful and messy moments of expat family life.In this episode, we talk about:* Creating summer bucket lists and family traditions* Managing the end-of-school-year chaos as an expat family* Travel hacks for long journeys with kids* The realities of bringing children to weddings and special events abroad* Finding time for yourself during motherhood* Embracing the changing stages of parenting as children grow* Building community and support while raising a family overseasOur Favourite Expat Parenting Tips from This Episode:* Create a simple family summer bucket list with experiences everyone can enjoy.* Lower the pressure and focus on connection over perfection.* Travel days are easier with snacks, screens, and realistic expectations.* Remember that children are allowed to be children—even at fancy events.* Give yourself permission to enjoy this season of life and say yes to a little fun.A Reminder for Every Expat ParentIf you're feeling both excited and overwhelmed by summer, you're not alone. The pressure to make magical memories while managing work, travel, and everyday parenting is real. This episode is your reminder that there is no perfect way to do summer or parent abroad.Whether you're planning adventures, visiting family, or simply trying to survive the school holidays, we hope this conversation makes you feel seen and supported.Because expat family support starts with knowing that other parents are navigating the same joys and challenges right alongside you.We'd Love to Hear From YouWhat are your family's summer plans? Are you already in holiday mode? Send us a voice message on Instagram—we'd love to hear your stories and may even feature them in a future episode of Expecting Expats.Happy summer from our family to yours!Podcast recommendations:Molly’s morning meditationsLink to Amanda’s website: www.mindfulmamafrankfurt.comLink to CJ’s webside: www.worldsapartcounseling.com