Cross-cultural kids
We spent Thanksgiving with about 40 American expats who are living in East Sussex, only one of them I had actually met before. I was near to tears at how welcoming and friendly they all were. People were saying similar things about their experience living in England and suddenly I felt like all my fears […]
A little show called ‘Friends’
Many British people have told me how much they loathe ‘Friends’ one of the most successful television shows ever because it’s either too loud, too stupid, too American, not funny enough or the actors are just annoying. Thankfully, my British husband is not amongst those who don’t like it and tolerates my forever addiction and […]
UK election 2015, an American parent’s view
My Bringing Up Brits blog has never been political nor do I wish it to be, but how can one escape a national election? And as someone who is raising children in the UK, why wouldn’t I be interested? It has been exceptionally captivating with a disappointing outcome. My British husband stayed up most of […]
Understanding how to be British but still American through and through
Inspired by a blog post by Amanda van Mulligen, a British expat in the Netherlands, this post is about the fact that while being American through and through, I mostly (probably not completely just yet) understand and really get what it means to be British. And, shock horror! I sometimes really love it! From the […]
What I learned the day I visited ACS Egham International School
This week was rather exciting. I had been invited to come and give a talk on my experience of raising children in Britain as a non British parent – to talk about my book ‘Bringing Up Brits’ and to chat with a group of international parents about their view points and their experiences. I spent […]
5 Reasons I’m Glad my Children Are British & American
A continuation of the blog link up started by Amanda van Mulligen, Celebrating Expat Life. 2nd blog post. See last week’s blog link up post here. 5 Reasons I’m Glad my Children Are British & American 1. Crossing Cultures. They are learning about America and American culture first hand which will become a part of […]
I’m American so I’m fat.
I love my kids, I really do. But they sometimes frustrate the hell outta me! They are SO British. Apparently last night at dinner was ‘bash the American at the table’ night. I got accused of talking funny – not British but not American either. I got teased for being a ‘foreigner’ and had to […]
Generosity leads to a life more abundant
I was chatting with a Bringing Up Brits reader the other day and she was telling me that as she gets older and the longer she lives in Britain, the more she wants to get back to her Chinese roots. She’s married to a British man and is bringing up two young Brits, half Chinese. […]
Why Coast To Coast American restaurant is worth a visit
Living outside America has opened me up to new experiences, new opportunities, new cultures and a broader point of view on life and highlights all the little details we take for granted. Living in England takes a long time to get used to as an American because, although we share the same language, culturally, we […]
“Are you from The Philippines?”
On my way to taking my toddler to pre-school, a man stopped me and asked me, “Are you from The Philippines?”. I smiled and said no and he said Ok, sorry. This is not the first time, or the last I’m sure, that strangers have stopped me and asked me this, although usually it is “Are […]
It’s about time!
So after years and years of living in England, having children, living and working as an American expat in Britain, I have finally started a blog about it all. I have wanted to do this ever since I had my first child in 2001 but I suppose life and work in general always got in […]