If You Are An Expat Wife We Know You're A Special Woman!

This is for all the husbands out there!!


Your wife decided to go on an expat assignment?? Run to her favorite store right now and buy her a great gift!!

Actually first ask her and yourself if she really believe she can handle it. It is going to be a big roller coaster ride. Weight all the good and the bad that can come out of this experience. It can be fun but it can also be very hard. You will leave your old life behind... And what about the other members of the family. Can they handle it?


Moving abroad still is a family decision. Some families are adaptable and some are not! And if they are not don't even go there. Everybody will be miserable. Trust me, I've seen this happen many, many times.


Are you willing to learn at least the basics of another language? Are you willing to try different food? Deal with lack of security in some cities? Find out that the school curriculum is behind but realize that the kids are learning skills at the international school that they wouldn't be learning at their current school? Want to visit exotic places? Meet some other fun and adventurous people? Deal with packing and unpacking?


But be honest with yourself when you answer this questions. And be aware that by lying you will only hurt yourself and your family. It is better to say no to all this questions, stay where you are and be happy than to move and be unhappy. Lots of marriages will get dissolved along the way. But many other marriages will grow stronger - all this challenges also bring families together.


After the move, the husband has the new job, the kids have the new school but what about us?? What do we have??


Learning how to navigate this new life is not easy. We have to completely rely on other people - and it's not easy. It can be very frustrating! We don't know them so how can we trust their judgment.


We have lots of responsibilities. We need to cook - and the first visits to the supermarket are not easy -, find doctors, learn how to get to places and more... Not being able to speak the new language. Do you guys have any idea how hard this is?? We need to ask new friends and co-workers for help all the time.


I felt like I was completely stupid on my first visit to the supermarket. You can't order a quarter pound of turkey breast, for instance. You need to order things in grams. And until you get used to it, you will get as much or as little as the person who's cutting it wants you to buy. Milk is also sold in a different container, so is heavy cream. Little things like this can drive us crazy!! So we will need help.


So to all the husbands out there, be sympathetic to your wife and listen to her complaints without judging her. She's making a sacrifice so be patient and supportive and you will have a good time as an expat!