Comments on: 5 Things I Love About My Expat Life

By: Meg

Meg — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 05:59:37 +0000

I’m so sorry to hear that Amanda. It must be so hard. I know we just ‘get on with it’ as they say and accept things the way they are, but some days can be difficult knowing your family is so far away and not able to share your lives in that every day sort of way. It can make all the difference having wonderful in-laws. And I love being able to support and offer friendship to my sisters-in-law too – it goes both ways.

By: Amanda van Mulligen

Amanda van Mulligen — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 13:10:40 +0000

Actually it’s a very good point about how big a role family plays in expat happiness. If you move countries to be with a partner then feeling welcome, feeling supported is a huge advantage especially in the early days. My in-laws (with the exception of my father in law) have no role whatsoever in our lives and it is tough knowing that you left your own family behind, family that wants to play a big role in their grandchildren’s lives, for a family that couldn’t care less. When I have bad days (luckily not common) I do feel that it would be easier living near supportive family!

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 07:27:54 +0000

Yes, I know, my British in-laws and my own parents are like chalk and cheese – British reserve vs. American effusiveness! Took me a while to get used to it and also took my British husband a while to get used to my folks. Didn’t take long though and he loves them as I love his parents.

By: Kelli

Kelli — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 07:13:32 +0000

I’m enjoying the quirkiness of expat life as well! It’s wonderful to see that family plays such a big part in your happiness as an expat. Getting to know my own British inlaws has been an amazing and sometimes strange experience for me as well (they are so different from my own Southern US family)!

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 15:41:01 +0000

Ha Ha thanks Moose! And you are part of a cross-cultural family aren’t you. Thanks for your comment

By: moose

moose — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 14:39:34 +0000

I was brought up by expats, thats if you can call Scotland another country? Well at least I know India is another country which is where at least one of my parents came from. Love hearing your views and stories about living in jolly ol England Meg and its good to have you here .

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 09:14:39 +0000

Thanks Amanda. Really enjoying all this blogging and connecting via our blogs so thank you for inspiring us all! It’s good to celebrate because it makes the hard days and the challenges easier to overcome.

By: Amanda van Mulligen

Amanda van Mulligen — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:58:58 +0000

Thanks for joining in Meghan. Expat life really opens up a world and your number one about meeting people is one of the best things in my opinion. I would never have friends from the rich variety of cultures I now have had I stayed in England. And thank goodness your inlaws are a blessing!