Are you an expat, with a family and are you looking for support?
Are you living abroad with your family and things aren't going quite as expected?
Or are you planning to move abroad and want it to be a success for all family members?
Or are you planning to move back home soon and you want to prepare the family well for the return?
Moving abroad with a family can be quite a challenge. You have to deal with building a new life, with a different home and new environment, sometimes an unfamiliar language, a new school, with making new friends, all in a culture that is different.
Often the partner for whom you are there goes off to work, where life naturally takes shape again, but as an expat partner you are at home, in unfamiliar surroundings, often without work, family and friends. That can feel very lonely.
Raising children can also be complicated in another country, where you have to deal with different norms and values than those that you are used to. To what extent do you adapt to these as a family? And what do you hold on to from your own home culture?
For some families, moving as an expat can be stressful, frustrating, and sometimes lonely. I am here to help you find a way through this transition phase. I can help you find a parenting strategy that fits what you value while combining different cultures. With my coaching, I can help you support your children in creating their new home in a foreign country.
My own expat experience
Having lived abroad myself for several years as a child, and then also living the expat life as a mother, I can definitely say that I have a double expat experience: from the perspective of a child and as a parent!
We had to move our family twice for my husband's work. These have been wonderful experiences that I am still grateful for, and at the same time it has not always been easy. My husband went off to work and I was at home with young children. I didn't know where I could find the right stores, I missed the Hema and Blokker for my practical stuff, and I didn’t know people yet whom I could ask for this kind of advice. On top of that, the children also had to get used to all the new stuff; they had no friends yet, had to go to a new school, didn't speak the language and I was trying to get our house organised. I remember walking through a superstore with 3 small children looking for a water boiler...I missed the help of grandparents immensely!
We also experienced coming back to the Netherlands with our family. Starting up again in your own country, in a new place, where everyone already has their lives in order. Sometimes this can be even more complicated than moving abroad.
So with these experiences, I know how difficult it can sometimes be as an expat family. I am happy to help you find a new balance in your life and create peace at home with the family. My coaching is positive, effective and practical, so you will see results quickly. There is no waiting list, so depending on schedules we can usually start quickly. Coaching is available in Dutch or English.
Would you like to discuss if I can be of any help? Then schedule a free 20-minute introductory call today!
“Valerie is excellent. She manages the rare balance of being totally non-judgmental while offering sound advice, and seems to do so effortlessly! I felt totally comfortable sharing my parenting lapses and asking her advice on my sometimes bizarre ideas (can I pay my kid to get off his phone?). She has a strong base of theory and practice that she uses to help you come up with concrete ideas that will work for you. This is such a good investment. I feel like all of us can always use a little more support parenting! ”
“Thank you again for all of your support during what was almost certainly the hardest phase of parenting we’ve had so far. ”