Canadian Expat Mom

Being an Expat

Reverse Culture Shock, 3rd Culture Kids, and Other Weird Feelings Expats Have
Reverse Culture Shock, 3rd Culture Kids, and Other Weird Feelings Expats Have

Reverse Culture Shock, 3rd Culture Kids, and Other Weird Feelings Expats Have

Have you ever gone on vacation and longed for some of the comforts of home? Your favourite snack? A neighbourhood restaurant?  The familiarity of a city? Now imagine if that ‘vacation’ was 5 years long?! When we first left Canada…

15 Things I’ve Learned From Living in France
15 Things I’ve Learned From Living in France

15 Things I’ve Learned From Living in France

You spell Champagne with a capital C.  If it’s not from Champagne, it’s sparkling wine. After dinner, cheese comes before dessert. It’s easier to walk on cobblestone in a wedge than it is in heels. Cheese, bread and cured meats…

Raising Kids in Europe: It Really Does Take a Village
Raising Kids in Europe: It Really Does Take a Village

Raising Kids in Europe: It Really Does Take a Village

Raising my kids in France means that I’m not exposed to many parenting styles from back home.  I know what my extended family does with their kids, and I remember what it was like when I was growing up; but…

Celebrating Halloween in a Country That Doesn’t
Celebrating Halloween in a Country That Doesn’t

Celebrating Halloween in a Country That Doesn’t

  I grew up in Canada where, as a kid, Halloween was a very big deal.  As soon as the school supplies were cleared out, Halloween items were quickly appearing on the shelves. The entire month of October was abuzz…