3rd culture kids

[KobaniDaughters]

Does anyone have any recommendations for books/podcasts etc? We’re moving back to the U.K. but DC have spent almost all their lives in the US and the little one (aged 10) is probably going to struggle the most so would like to arm myself with ways to understand and support her

Home/Land by Rebecca Mead just came out and probably has some of what you are looking for! She (British) moved back to the UK with her American born son (early teens?). It'll be very even more relevant if you are moving to London.

Here's an excerpt: www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/the-common-tongue-of-twenty-first-century-london

Expatability- website + podcast.

www.amazon.co.uk/Third-Culture-Kids-Experience-original/dp/1473657660/ref=asc_df_1473657660/?hvlocphy=1006589&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=310785600414&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-313686993773&hvrand=6099754263095066241

Thankyou

As a now adult TCK I would say try to understand that until their accents change, their peers will treat them like Americans.

Don't expect them to understand life in the UK the way you do - if they've grown up elsewhere, they are for all intents and purposes, American, so try to ease them into the cultural quirks of living here (there are many!). Also if they haven't grown up seeing family all the time don't expect them to be close right away just because it's family.

Finally when you move back I would try to do as much fun stuff as possible and show them what's great about living here (again, many things!) - they will adjust eventually.

I just wanted to say that I think it's lovely you're being so considerate about your children's needs and looking for ways to help them adjust. My parents moved me to the UK from another continent when I was the same age as your youngest and I didn't receive any emotional support through it. It was very difficult for me.

Thanks for the responses.

I’m quite sensitive to the move because I was an expat brat and we moved every 3 years or so without a by your leave - our last move was within the U.K. but I was 12.5 and it was pretty traumatic.

She’s super open to talking through both her excitement and her sadness so that’s good I think, I’m just trying to make sure she feels heard but it’s a balance isn’t it? She told her best friend who immediately said let’s spend as much time as possible together and came up with all the ways they can stay in touch which I think has helped a lot.

DS already wants to assimilate immediately (he hates attention) so that’s a very good point @MeAndMyAttentionSpan thankyou