Healthy Expat Parent

Mothering is likely the best thing I’ve ever done, and also one of the most difficult. People will tell you this before you have kids, but it’s not a concept you can fully grasp until you have children of your own. Being a mom is an amazing gift. Being a mom means wearing a lot of different hats, each of which deserves applause on this very special day. So here’s to you, my fellow moms! You are amazing! M-is for every single moment you spend with your kids, and about your

My five year old whispered in my ear with her tiny voice quivering that an adult told her a few weeks ago that she was fat! It breaks my heart to think my beautiful daughter was thinking this was true for weeks. It is the first time she ever really doubted her self-worth and self-image. I have a few choice words for the horrible person who would take that away from an innocent child and undermine my desire to nurture a strong, beautiful, confident girl. A friend recently sha

I am sitting on our porch, in a rare moment of silence. I am enjoying the lovely weather, our beautiful garden, and the sounds of the birds that come to visit (we have a group of plantain eaters that come to the yard; they have the most enjoyable call. The sunbirds are like little gems floating about). This is a audible and visual gift, this time outside, being still. It isn't that I have nothing to do; trust me, that is so not the case. I am deliberately gifting myself s

One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to take time that you could be spending with your kids or taking care of one of the myriad of tasks that are a part of running a household and spend that time on yourself. Weird thought, right? Because part of being a parent is being selfless, and focusing on the other important people in your life (kids, spouse, pets, etc). What we are forgetting, though, is that without self-care, we fall apart. And if the parent falls apar

A legend: An old grandfather is trying to teach his grandson about life. His grandson has come to him with anger at a friend who he feels has done him wrong. The grandfather sympathizes, telling him that he too has felt a great hate for those who have taken much with no sorrow for what they have done. A grandfather continues, “Remember this: hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking a poison, and wish your enemy would die. This is a struggle e

Friends, I think you should all know that I am a tv/screen nazi. My children think I am quite mean, but I do not allow them to watch much tv at all. They don’t get a lot of screen time on the computer, either. No apps on the phone. No ipad. And while I realize they are falling behind in their computer-ese, I think their brain development is far more important. I’ve said it before: Every parent wants what is best for their child. Every parent thinks their child is the s

Sometimes, it isn't about how much you do, or how great you are, or how amazing you cook. Sometimes, it isn't about your amazing craft abilities, or the perfect hairdo you make for yourself or for the kids. Sometimes, it isn't about your coloring abilities or how much time you read to your kids. Sometimes, it is about being good enough. And that's okay. You know what I am talking about. Oh, the effort it takes to be the perfect wife/mom/sister-in-law/daughter/neighbor/PT

Strength as a Mother “Not wanting to be dominated by others is a legacy of the new mother because in becoming a mother a woman also gives birth to herself. When a mother thinks about her experience in a truthful way, when she is honest with herself, she will see that the act of mothering is not one-sided. It is reciprocal. Once we appreciate that the mother/child dyad is mutually beneficial, we can change the stereotype of motherhood as burden into the archetype of mothering