We make frequent travel work

frequent business travel unaccompanied post

A while back I asked a holding the fort mum if she would be willing to speak about her experience living outside her home country, with a partner who frequently travels. Here are her answers. Do you relate? What has it been like for you with a partner who travels a lot?  It is tough. We…

Read More

Boost your emotions when apart

stencil.default 24 - A Multicultural Life

As a child growing up, we never celebrated much as a family. Birthdays yes, but not much more. I have recently been reminded that even small celebrations can boost our emotions and have a very positive impact on both our mental health and our experience of everyday life. I read an article in the Harvard…

Read More

We are different, so what?

workshops 1 - A Multicultural Life

There is much written about cross-cultural communication in multicultural teams. It is vital in my opinion to apply this knowledge to a family context, a mini multicultural team. What I tend to see is information for families arriving in a new country. There are so many other areas to consider: being in an intercultural relationship,…

Read More

How a cross-cultural pyramid showed me I wasn’t weird.

lewis model - A Multicultural Life

“You could nip out this afternoon and say goodbye to your friend,” I encouraged my husband on a sunny Saturday morning. Even though we had other friends visiting our home that afternoon, I didn’t think it was a problem if he left for a couple of hours. Especially as they were staying overnight and his…

Read More

There is more to your argument

holding the fort abroad community membership - A Multicultural Life

My parents fought a lot when I was a child. They loved each other, there was no doubt about that, and their lives were intertwined for life but there were a lot of disagreements, usually expressed through shouting on my mother’s side and repressed frustration on my father’s side. Growing up, I just thought that…

Read More

Plant S.E.E.D.S for your future

stencil.default 22 - A Multicultural Life

Are you longing for a career of your own, a space where your dreams, passions and gifts can make an impact? For years you may have supported your spouse in their career, transitioning yourself and your entire family into new countries and new cultures. A feat in itself! You have dealt with home emergencies on…

Read More

Using Set Questions

ask - A Multicultural Life

Reconnecting with your partner after they have been away for work is one of the biggest challenges of the expat life and business travel. I have been faced with it in my own life with my husband, as well as it being a recurring topic in coaching classes and interviews. How can you ease the…

Read More

What is Coaching

what is coaching - A Multicultural Life

‘Coaching is architecture, therapy is archaeology’. I love that analogy because coaching is about moving forward and living life by design. During a coaching session, I will: Ask you questions on your life, what frustrates you, what you would like to change. Listen intently and give you permission to speak freely. Challenge, mirror, explore what…

Read More

What is Solo Parenting

what is solo parenting - A Multicultural Life

Solo Parenting is the closest word I’ve found to describe a family set-up where one parent spends the day to day with the children and the other parent is away for work. It differs from single parenting because in the case of solo parenting, both parents are still in a relationship with each other. A…

Read More