I raised my children on the other side of the world from my parents.
It wasn’t something I planned; I married someone from another country.
Yes, my kids missed out on having my parents in the same city, but they did spend 3-4 weeks a year with them, living in the same house or on holiday.
Quality over quantity was our mantra, and my kids know my parents deeply. They speak on FaceTime and get excited when they come to visit.
When deciding where to live, we chose the best country for our children and us, and we cared enough about the familial relationship to make it work.
Now my kids are 15 and 16, I can say that it has worked. They feel close to BOTH sets of grandparents, and physical distance has not meant emotional distance.
With more and more families raising their children overseas, this is something I am asked about a lot.
What is your experience with raising children away from your parents?
Love, Jen
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