Kids' activities in and around Lugano

Once in a while I come across a like-minded women who loves to explore and take the time to share. This is the case with Jasmine. Following is a list she wrote for the International and American Women's Mums & Tots group. It is an extensive list and comes in very handy when you need some inspiration on a Wednesday afternoon or a weekend. It does not include the most obvious attractions that are well publicized and you can find under my "Out and About" section on the sidebar of this blog.

So, are you ready? Here goes:

In Ticino:

http://www.carona-tourism.ch/en/carona/ - Parco San Grato, has a playground, restaurant and beautiful surroundings to explore

http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/en/95/the-tassino-park - Parco Tassino, large playground and deer! Great park with lots of space, picnic and play areas

http://www.montetamaro.ch - bobsleigh track, flying fox (zip wire) restaurant and great playground

www.tarzaning.ch an adventure park with zip wires, rope bridges and climbing frames between trees in the forest

http://www.ticino.ch/The-Verzasca-Valley-trail/ - A walk rated as easy, so possible with kids, in beautiful scenery

http://www.cardada.ch/estate - take a cable car up to Cardada for some lovely family friendly walks.

http://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/Parco-giochi-Parsifal-Monte-Verità-Ascona - one playground in Ascona, however I have been told that there is a really great playground on the lakefront of Ascona. If you go down to the mini roundabout where the start of the pedestrianised promenade is on your right (where all the restaurants are), instead turn left, walk past a large public car park, and you will see this playground - it has electric minicars - need 1CHF coins for them.

http://www.ataf.ch/ - steam miniature railway - strange opening hours though.

http://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/Isole-di-Brissago-Parco-Botanico - a boat trip to the island of Brissago, perhaps combine with a trip to Ascona and the playground on the lakefront!

www.minigolfcaslano.ch - Has electric mini-cars and great trampolines as well as the mini golf. Is next door to a great little lido too, with a very nice beach. (and they sell Ben and Jerry's ice cream)

Near Zurich:

http://www.zoo.ch - Switzerland's largest zoo and definately worth a trek up north

http://www.alpamare.ch - amazing looking waterpark - it is two hours away from Lugano by car but it looks like an excellent day trip nonetheless

http://www.tierpark.ch/english - Goldau wildlfe park, with restaurant and playground, came highly recommended by one of our members

Just across the border in Italy:

www.safaripark.it - brilliant safari park, not far from Malpensa airport, complete with amusement park with rides suitable for toddlers, reptile house, animal shows... a fantastic full day out

http://www.parcodellapreistoria.it/ - a large park with models of dinosaurs, playground, and restaurant

www.minitalia.com - a fantastic day out, an amusement park with lots of rides suitable for the youngest members of the family, reptile house, aquarium, mini farm, and to-scale models of the famous monuments of Italy

http://www.minigolf-adventure.it - has a playground, inflatable slides and trampolines as well as the minigolf

http://www.idropark.mi.it - man made lake in Milan with playground, lido and restaurant

http://www.jungleraiderpark.com - same as www.tarzaning.ch (adventure park with zip wires, rope bridges and climbing frames) but in Italy

http://www.latorbiera.it - large natural park to explore, with a large lake, restaurant and what seems to be a zoo too

http://www.lecornelle.it - a zoo with a wide variety of animals, white tigers, elephants

http://www.castellodivezio.it Castle of Vezio on the shores of Lake Como, complete with a display of falconry if you are lucky

Ever wondered where that stunning backdrop to Daniel Craig's rest & recuperation in the film 'Casino Royale' was? Well, the name's Como, Lake Como!
So, go see for yourself and explore the villas on Lake Como (http://www.lakecomovillas.net/villas.php) - the kids may enjoy running around the gardens while you excape into James Bond's or George Clooney's arms (in your dreams). Perhaps best combined with eating ice cream somewhere, and feeding the ducks on the lakefront, or a boat trip on the lake

Villa Carlotta - the most well known, parking is easy, you can have access to the villa as well as the grounds. There is a fountain that is full of fish and toads which can kept little explorers amused for at ages while they watch 'toad arguments'. Also a nice cafe there, picnic areas and beautiful scenery

Villa Del Balbianello (Lenno) - only the gardens are open to the public

Villa Melzi (Bellagio) - only the gardens are open to the public

Villa Monestero (Varenna)

Punta Balbianello - Villa Balbianello is the romantic spot featured in the second episode of the Star Wars saga

Now isn't this is a smashing list? 

Thank you so much for sharing. 

This should keep your little explorers busy for a while. 

The question is can we keep up with them???

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www.expatwithkidsinparis.blogspot.com

Lugano's Autumn Festival

“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower”
Albert Camus

On the first weekend in October, Lugano celebrates the beginning of Autumn with a festival dedicated to local products.

The Autumn festival concludes the open-air events with a large fair in the pedestrian zone of Lugano.

In the classic city scenario, in a grand choreography of colors and tastes, you will be able to find the typical grottini, a lot of folkloric music, Ticinese gastronomic delights and above all the celebrations of the grape and wine. The center of the city will welcome the visitors in numerous grottini operated by local companies which will offer typical Ticinese specialties, such as polenta with stew or beans and mortadella or roast pork, risotto, minestrone, gnocchi and many other exquisite local delights. Yummy!!!

Swiss and foreign guests and the local population will be able to taste and relish, in cheerful company, the best Ticino's region can offer: apart from the delights for the palate, also musical groups, artists and entertainers invited specially for the occasion, who will stage a series of very different shows. The grape harvest is a big festival for all, from the children to the elderly: why not take advantage of the opportunity for a pleasant celebration of the end of summer?

Venue: Autumn Festival
Where: Piazza Independenza and city center
When: September 30th to October 2nd, 2011
Time: Friday 16.00-1.00, Saturday: 10.00-2.00, Sunday: 10.00-18.00

Your chance to mingle with Miss Schweiz

This is your chance to mingle with Miss Schweiz. This Saturday the new Miss Switzerland will be elected at the Centro Esposizioni in Lugano and you can be part of it.

Don't miss this opportunity and cruise over to the Miss Schweiz site to book your ticket for the show (CHF 70.-). Should you feel like splashing out you can go for the whole Spiel: Aperitivo at Lugano's Lido followed by the Show and a Gala Dinner culminating with the Aftershow Party (CHF 400.-).

Click here to see the whole programme and muster your most spectacular evening robe to show off at this unique event. Who knows your friends might even spot you on TV.  All three Swiss channels will be airing the Miss Schweiz event live as of 20:05!

Venue: Miss Schweiz Elections 2011
Where: Centro Esposizioni, Lugano
When: Saturday, September 24th, 2011
Time: 20:05

Stralugano 2011

"Most people run a race to see who is fastest.  I run a race to see who has the most guts. "
Steve Prefontaine

Get ready this weekend. There is a fantastic sporting opportunity for you and your kids coming up. It is a social happening that you cannot miss. Head down town this weekend and enjoy the last summer vibes during the annual event of Stralugano.

Stralugano's philosophy extends from elite athletes to the occasional runner but - above all - it has a big heart. A heart logo displays the sensitivity not only in sports but towards neighbours and especially towards those who are not lucky enough to live full and free movement of their body.

Therefore, since it's creation 6 years ago, Stralugano has paid particular attention in supporting worthy organizations and enhance their sensitivity.

This year Stralugano renews its support of the Telethon movement by providing visibility throughout the event as well as financial contribution.

The Stralugano is a run and fun event: a folklore festival is held at the "Stralugano Village" that includes amusements, music, fitness, shopping and support for various charity associations. The festival kicks off on Saturday afternoon and continues all Sunday.

The five races planned are:

30km Panoramic
10km City
Kidsrun
Miglio
Handbike

Please head over to their site for more detailed information: www.stralugano.ch

Becoming a Parisienne

Want to read all about my Parisian adventures? 

Head over to my other blog:

www.expatwithkidsinparis.blogspot.com

Come follow me through Paris...

Lugano's IWCL Evening group and MEETUP celebrate Happy Hour

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.”
James Beard

Welcome back from the Summer Holiday! 

Come share the souvenirs of your vacation time.

Please join us for a surprise aperitivo on 

Thursday, 22 September from 19.30 onwards at the trendy SOHO café. The International Womens' Club of Lugano (IWCL) is joining forces once again with The Lugano English speaking group for some fun and relaxation. This is a good opportunity to make new friends as this is a joint event with the Meetup Group. (www.meetup.com/newintown-922). The last few joint events have been great successes.

Please, make your reservations with:
 iwcleveninggroup@gmail.com or s_nelisse@yahoo.fr

Venue: Soho Café, Corso Enrico Pestalozzi 3, 6900 Lugano (www.soholugano.ch)

Date: Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Time: 19:30 onwards

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Lugano's Book Nook welcomes Diccon Bewes

“You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.”
Paul Sweeney

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 25th and spread the word – The Book Nook is organizing an evening to benefit Ticino’s English library & used bookseller. Entertainment will include Special Literary Guest, Diccon Bewes, author of "Swiss Watching: Inside Europe’s Landlocked Island".

The London travel writer, Diccon Bewes, has lived in Bern for five years. What could be more obvious, therefore, than writing a book about Switzerland, this island within Europe. "How come that the Alpine republic has managed to make its products famous the the world over, but hasn't produced many well-known citizens?" Bewes wondered. So, he bought himself a rail pass and set off to find out "how this enigmatic country ticks".

Just check out his crash course to all things Swiss, from A to Z, which is one of the most popular posts from his blog at: www.swisswatching.wordpress.com

Please join in for an exciting evening to celebrate The Book Nook. Your support will ensure The Book Nook's future. Appetizer Buffet, Silent Auction, Book Sale, Cash Bar & much more.

Venue: Sala behind the church on Via Terzerina 1, Pregassona

Date: Sunday, September 25th, 2011 

Time:  17:00-21:00

SFr. 25.- donation at the door

RSVP not required, but please let The Book Nook if you know you are coming. 

Tel: 091/ 858 30 82 or robin@booknook.ch 

Visit The Book Nook online for directions to this event, and up-to-date information about the library: www.booknook.ch

My new home

Facts about snoring!

“Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.”
Anthony Burgess

Why am I up at 5:30 in the morning? Yes, admitteldly it is partly due to our new exciting environment. Some of you might be thinking: "Hey, you're in Paris! Why would you want to sleep anyway?"

I cherish my sleep. I love cuddling beneath my duvet and snuggling up for a good night sleep. Only I have not been getting much of that lately, thanks to my snoring hubby!!! What to do?

Since I'm up I thought I'd share some interesting facts about snoring with my readers published by www.britishsnoring.co.uk:

1.) The 3 main reasons for snoring are: being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol.

2.) Snoring sound is air turbulance vibrating the structures in the ‘upper airway’.

3.) Snoring sounds range from 50dB to 100dB - the equivalent to a pneumatic drill. (My husband is in the upper range!)

4.) Snoring can be hereditary - nearly 70% of snorers have a familial link.

5.) Bed partners of snorers report they have just 3-5 hours sleep per night. (Yes, that would be me at the moment!)

6.) Bed partners of snorers visit their GP more frequently than bed partners of non-snorers.

7.) Snorers and their bed partners are more likely to be hard of hearing than non-snorers and their partners. (Oh, gosh no, don't say that!)

8.) Over one third of couples report disharmony within the relationship due to snoring. (Mmmmmhhhh, I wonder why?!?!)

9.) Sleep quality rather than quantity is more of an issue. Poor sleep quality exacerbates poor health. (And VERY bad moods in my case)

10.) Sleep loss affects newly learned skills more than well known skills. (Keep in mind!)

11.) Despite evidence to the contrary, bed partners report better sleep quality when sleeping with their snoring partner than when they sleep alone. (Yeah, right?)

12.) The louder you snore, the more likely you are to be overweight. ( Luckily NOT the case)

13.) In 1910 we were sleeping for approximately 9 hours per night. In 2009 we sleep for around 6-7 hours. (That's why we call them "The good ol'days")

Have a lovely day!

Remains of the World Trade Center

"Never forget!"

The "USS New York" is the seventh ship of the United States Navy to be named after the state of New York. She rose out of the ashes of 9/11 - and now it’s time to go back to her birthplace.

The ship is notable for using steel that was salvaged from the World Trade Center, after it was destroyed in the September 11 attacks. It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up." "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back."

The ship's motto: Strength forged through sacrifice. Never  Forget!

The ship sailed down the Hudson River on Thursday and her passengers included 170 members of the 9/11 Families Association, which includes first responders and families of victims. She will anchor near ground zero for ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks this year.

With the words Man your ship and bring her to life the world will change, at least for us. She will never fill the hole, but she will fill our hearts.

You know you're a Third Culture Kids when ...

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”
Aldous Huxley

You know you are a Third Culture Kid (TKC) when ....

- “Where are you from?” has more than one reasonable answer.
- You’ve said that you’re from foreign country X, and (if you live in America) your audience has asked you which US state X is in.
- You flew before you could walk.
- You speak two languages, but can’t spell in either.
- You feel odd being in the ethnic majority.
- You have three passports.
- You have a passport but no driver’s license.
- You go into culture shock upon returning to your “home” country.- Your life story uses the phrase “Then we moved to…” three (or four, or five…) times.
- You wince when people mispronounce foreign words.
- You don’t know whether to write the date as day/month/year, month/day/year, or some variation thereof.
- The best word for something is the word you learned first, regardless of the language.
- You get confused because US money isn’t colour-coded.
- You think VISA is a document that’s stamped in your passport, not a plastic card you carry in your wallet.
- You own personal appliances with 3 types of plugs, know the difference between 110 and 220 volts, 50 and 60 cycle current, and realize that a trasnsformer isn’t always enough to make your appliances work.
- You fried a number of appliances during the learning process.
- You think the Pledge of Allegiance might possibly begin with “Four-score and seven years ago….”- Half of your phone calls are unintelligible to those around you.
- You believe vehemently that football is played with a round, spotted ball.
- You consider a city 500 miles away “very close.”
- You get homesick reading National Geographic.
- You cruise the Internet looking for fonts that can support foreign alphabets.
- You think in the metric system and Celsius.
- You may have learned to think in feet and miles as well, after a few years of living (and driving) in the US. (But not Fahrenheit. You will *never* learn to think in Fahrenheit).
- You haggle with the checkout clerk for a lower price.
- Your minor is a foreign language you already speak.- When asked a question in a certain language, you’ve absentmindedly respond in a different one.
- You miss the subtitles when you see the latest movie.
- You’ve gotten out of school because of monsoons, bomb threats, and/or popular demonstrations.
- You speak with authority on the subject of airline travel.
- You have frequent flyer accounts on multiple airlines.
- You constantly want to use said frequent flyer accounts to travel to new places.
- You know how to pack.
- You have the urge to move to a new country every couple of years.
- The thought of sending your (hypothetical) kids to public school scares you, while the thought of letting them fly alone doesn’t at all.
- You think that high school reunions are all but impossible.
- You have friends from 29 different countries.
- You sort your friends by continent.
- You have a time zone map next to your telephone.
- You realize what a small world it is, after all.

Third Culture Kids - Characteristics

“A Third Culture Kid is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their parents’ culture."

There are different characteristics that impact the typical Third Culture Kid:

- TCKs are 4 times as likely as non-TCKs to earn a bachelor's degree (81% vs 21%)
- 40% earn an advanced degree (as compared to 5% of the non-TCK population.)
- 45% of TCKs attended 3 universities before earning a degree.
- 44% earned undergraduate degree after the age of 22.
- Educators, medicine, professional positions, and self employment are the most common professions for TCKs.
 -TCKs are unlikely to work for big business, government, or follow their parents' career choices. "One won't find many TCKs in large corporations. Nor are there many in government ... they have not followed in parental footsteps".
- 90% feel "out of sync" with their peers.
- 90% report feeling as if they understand other cultures/peoples better than the average American.
- 80% believe they can get along with anybody.
- Divorce rates among TCKs are lower than the general population, but they marry older (25+).
- Military brats, however, tend to marry earlier.
- Linguistically adept (not as true for military ATCKs.)
- A study whose subjects were all "career military brats"—those who had a parent in the military from birth through high school—shows that brats are linguistically adept.
- Teenage TCKs are more mature than non-TCKs, but ironically take longer to "grow up" in their 20s.
- More welcoming of others into their community.
- Lack a sense of "where home is" but often nationalistic.
- Some studies show a desire to "settle down" others a "restlessness to move".
- Depression and suicide are more prominent among TCK's.

Third Culture Kids - Definition

"TCKs are the prototype citizens of the future."
Ted Ward, sociologist, 1984

Lately I have come across the TCK (Third Culture Kids) definition repeatedly, a term that became popular in the early 1980's. Personally I discovered TCK back in 2005 when I read David Pollock and Ruth van Reken's book "Third Culture Kids". I was amazed to discover that there was actually a name to they way I had been living.

The authors explore the experiences of those who have become known as "Third Culture Kids" - children who grow up or spend a significant part of their childhood living abroad. The book is rich with real-life anecdotes and examines the nature of the TCK kid experience and its effects on maturing, developing a sense of identity, and adjusting to one's "passport country" upon return. The authors give readers an understanding of the challenges and benefits of the TCK life and provide practical suggestions and advice on maximizing those benefits.

Definition of Third Culture Kids:
“A third culture kid is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their parents’ culture. The third culture kid builds relationships to all the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the third culture kid’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of the same background, other TCKs.”

Who are the Third Culture Kids?
They come from many backgrounds - Military/Army BRATS, Non-military government like diplomats' kids, Missionary kids, Business kid, intergovernmental agencies, educators, international non-governmental organizations, media, etc. Before World War II, 66% of TCKs came from missionary families, and 16% came from business families. After World War II, with the increase of international business and the rise of two international superpowers, the composition of international families changed. Sponsors are generally broken down into five categories: missionary (17%), business (16%), government (23%), military (30%), and "other" (14%). Some TCK families migrate for work independently of any organization based in their country of origin.

Some TCK's are moving between countries all their childhood, some have stayed only in one country, others have moved abroad, repatriated, and then relocated overseas again.

There are some characteristics that are common to the majority of TCK's – They better understand other cultures, have eaten different types of food, speak more than one language fluently, and have friends in many places. However, each child has his own amazing story, and his own way to cope with the challenges; some resent their parents for taking them away from their friends, school, family and country. Others might embrace the adventure, enjoy it, and make lots of friends in the host country.

The hardest thing for TCK'S is saying goodbye to their friends and to a place they used to call home. The world as they knew is gone forever. Only the memories are left, and many TCK's will not see their friends ever again. It is a great feeling of loss, and a big hole in their life.

Having said that, much of the research shows that Expat kids grow up to be diversified, tolerant, intelligent, savvy, articulate, worldly wise and interesting adults. Just check out this video.

Soirée alsacienne à Lugano

“What is the definition of a good wine? It should start and end with a smile.”
William Sokolin

Talk about a perfect match! For the first time the French Alliance of Lugano joins the "Semaine du Goût en Suisse".

Can they tempt you with an typical Alsacien dinner accompanied by an exquisite wine tasting?

Aperitif: Riesling d'Alsace

Dinner: Alsacian cold cuts and sausages, accompanied by a Pinot Gris d'Alsace

Cheese: cheese platter including the famous Munster, served with a Pinot Noir d'Alsace

Desserts: typical Alsatian specialties, accompanied by a Gewürztraminer

Coffee sponsored by The Massaba Coffee Club, Gourmet Coffee

Venue: SALONE COSMO, VIA MOTTA, 56 6900 - Massagno
Date: Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
Time: 19:30
Price: 70.- CHF
Reservations: Laurence Beauvillain by phone: 079 837 73 47 or by mail: laurence.beauvillain@bluewin.ch

Please make your reservations before September 18th. Everybody is most welcome.

The French Alliance is looking forward to welcoming you and your friends à une soirée vraiement francaise! A votre santé!!!

The perfect Expat Parent

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”

The time has come again to announce to our children that we will be moving on. How to break the news? No matter what you say it will not go down well. Home, friends, habits and activites are all being thrown up into the air like juggling balls and we except our kids to catch these balls with perfect equilibrium in some foreign place and continue juggling.

Here are a few point that I found to be very true by gaijinchic.com in order to make the transition easier for your children as well as yourself. We surely aren't perfect Expat parents but we can always try....

1.) Adaptable: The perfect expat parent would be able to easily move from one nation to another without raising a sweat. They would hit the ground running and take to their new location like a duck to water. There would be no tears or tantrums when internet connections cannot be set up for weeks and there is no English language TV.

2.) Adventurous: The perfect expat parent would be adventurous and daring. Able to leap between languages, countries and cultures with a child under each arm.

3.) Sense of Humor: No perfect parent would be complete without a fully functioning sense of humor. The perfect parent would be able to see the funny side of missing luggage, foreign hospitals, and dishonest taxi drivers. They would always be smiling due to their ability to only see the bright side of every situation.

4.) Team player: Perfect expat parents are team players. They are on every school committee, they coach all the sports teams and spend every other spare minute baking for the bake sale.

5.) Confident: The perfect international parent is confident in all situations; Principal’s offices, immigration halls, foreign hospitals, and open-air wet markets. No one can intimidate them, or cause them to doubt themselves. They stride through airports looking freshly showered with perfectly behaved kids and matching luggage.

6.) Imaginary: The perfect expat parent does not exist anywhere except in our imaginations, or worst nightmares. Instead our kids must put up with a bunch of people who have found themselves attempting to parent across cultures and in unfamiliar lands.

We are all doing the best we can. Some of the traits listed above are part of our roles as international parents. We do need to be somewhat adaptable, adventurous, confident and able to get a long in a team while maintaining the remaining dregs of our sense of humor in difficult and unfamiliar situations.

More realistically, I think there are only two traits we must have to survive our roles raising young world nomads;

Willing to ask for help: When you first arrive in a new country you know nothing. Worse than that, you don’t even know what you don’t know yet. Being able to ask for help is the most important trait of an expat parent. It is only by asking others that we can learn the small but important details about our new life. Where to buy bread, what time the shops open, how to find the bank, and so on. Our kids watch us as we negotiate our way into a new culture. They take their cues from us. It is important for kids to see their parents ask for help sometimes. We teach them that we don’t know it all, but we do know how to find out.

7.) Consistent: Our kids need to know they can count on us. We need to be consistent in showing them how important they are. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, they need to know they can count on us to be looking out for them, loving them and paying attention. We are their home.

Expat kids' questions - Where do I come from?

“The world is a playground, and life is pushing my swing.”
Natalie Kocsis

"Mummy, where do I come from?" A question that will sound familiar to every Expat parents. A question we try to answer as best we can. One of our children's deepest needs is to know they belong. This is especially true for Expat children. Children who grow up in a culture that is not familiar to them or their parents. They move around the world every few years. These young global nomads can spend a lot of time feeling different and feeling like they don't fit in.

It is our - the parents - job to make sure they feel part of the life we have chosen. We are a team and we are in this together. They are an important part of our family.

Wherever in the world you are living, your kids will always be home when they are with you. Home does not need to be four walls, but is a place that exists wherever your family creates it. There are lots of little ways we can be more aware of the needs of our special global nomads, and work towards creating the kind of home that meets their unique needs.

1.) Take time to listen: It is important to listen to our kids. Take time each day to let them tell you their news. Bedtime can be a nice time to lay on the bed together and go over the good and bad of the day.

2.) Do things together: Spend time preparing meals together, doing chores, and of course playing together. Install the sense of team into your household. We are all part of the same team and we help each other out.

3.) Encourage your child to join into community events. They could join a sports team, get involved in a musical group or other extra-curricula activity. A child needs to feel part of the bigger community. You might want to help even more by being a coach or team mum. If you usually attend a Church in your home country, try to join one abroad too. It will expand your social network and also help your child to understand where they belong in the world.

4.) Get involved in school activities. It is important for parents to also get involved in the school. It helps your child know this is an important part of your family life. Join the parent association, volunteer at events and go along to meet the teacher days. If one parent is available to help out on school field trips, go along with your child. Make them feel important and special having a parent help out.

5.) Get to know your neighbors. Children need to feel part of their neighborhood. We sometimes forget the importance of neighbours when living in a foreign country. We enclose ourselves in our expat bubble and forget to reach out and say hello to those living closest to us. Encourage your child to play with the kids in the local park or play area. Head down to the nearest basketball court or field and throw a ball around with the other kids. Allow your child to invite the neighbors over to play sometimes. Get to know the parents too.

6.) Laugh together. Spend time having some fun.

7.) Create rituals. Make traditions and rituals that are important to your family. Maybe every Friday night is take away dinner night, or picnic in the living room night. Do you always have stories before bed? Can you make a new tradition like candle-lit dinners every Thursday?

8.) Love them. Our kids need to know they are loved unconditionally. Let them know we love them, just the way they are.


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