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Children in a Foreign Country - 10/8/2008 12:50:35 AM
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nevaehs_gaze
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Hello! I'm just toying with the idea of starting our family overseas seeing how we are currently living abroad... so I am interested in hearing others' stories and/or thoughts who either gave birth or are raising children in a foreign country. Thanks!
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/8/2008 1:14:10 AM
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Mrs.X
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If you don't get a lot of responses here, you might have some luck in the Military Wives chat. I know a couple of the ladies have lived in other countries while they were stationed there and had kids there.
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-Stina
From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -Proverbs 15:1
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/8/2008 4:23:10 AM
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OneOfHisJewels
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My dad was military and we never lived overseas, but we had many friends who did, and most of them greatly enjoyed it.
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"We basically use what I have seen referred to as "get off your butt" parenting. It employs more interaction, more redirection, more prevention, and usually less spanking."
-Mrs. Wifey
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/8/2008 8:35:21 AM
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Sideways
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We lived in Germany when I was in the 8-13 range of age. It was fantastic. I loved it so much I had a lot of trouble adjusting to life as an American again. I went to German schools, had German friends, the whole nine yards.
Life in Germany definitely had some strong positives over life in America, but it is different. The more you as parents embrace those cultural differences, the easier it will be. The kids will be fine. I don't know where you're going, but my advice is get away from "the American bubble". Have non-American friends, shop locally, eat locally, really get into it as much as you can.
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This warranty does not include shark bites, bear attacks and children under five.
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/8/2008 10:12:22 AM
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lexie
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I think living abroad with children is a great idea! And you're still going to be able to give them so much of your culture no matter where you are. Dh is making sure that our daughter (and future children) are being raised with an understanding of his culture and there is so much of it incorporated into our home. The language and the customs are still intact. If you are in a country that speaks another language, your children will easily become bilingual.
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I want to be more than an ordinary servant.
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/8/2008 3:41:42 PM
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kohls356
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I haven't birthed nor raised any children in a foriegn country but my bil and sil are. There oldest was not quite 2 and the middle child was only 3 months old when they moved to Africa. The youngest one was born over there.
I think one thing to remember is that if the child is born and raised in what we consider to be a foreign country it will not be a foreign country to the child, it will be home. My niece and nephews consider Africa their home and when they come back to the states this is foreign to them. They deal with a lot of culture shock when they come back to visit. They know this home for their parents but it isn't to them and they are always ready to go back home.
I often wonder what they will choose to do when they are old enough to make the choice of where they want to live. Come back to America or stay in Africa.
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/8/2008 8:58:25 PM
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Shatzie
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We lived in Germany when our daughter was 18 mos. to 8 yrs. It was wonderful. We lived in 2 small villages, (2 tours/different Base) her babysitter was German, we shopped on the economy, ate in the local restaurants, she played with German kids and spoke fluent German. We were military at the time so she did attend the school on Base. She is an adult now and has many fond memories of her life there. I wouldn't have changed the experience for anything.
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/10/2008 2:24:03 AM
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nevaehs_gaze
Posts: 331
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Aww, sounds like many of you have had great experiences! I only know of one family personally who has raised a family in this country before, but I currently have no contact with them to ask specific questions.
quote:
I suggest that you get involved with the ex-pat community in your area, if you haven't already.
What is an ex-pat?
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/20/2008 9:51:39 PM
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funny_girl
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When we moved to Mexico my youngest was 12 and my oldest 13. We lived in a few states in the US before but spent the most years in our home town. Now, my oldest is almost 19 and the youngest 17. Our oldest has gone into YWAM near our home where we are currently ministering while our youngest is finishing up his senior year. It definitely had it's pluses and minus'. The pluses are them learning a different culture and especially the spiritual aspect. I'm very close to my sons and they were never 'rebellious'. They are wonderful young men. The minus, were the lonely times. We all encountered a season of great depression and loneliness. Maybe it's different for us because we're missionaries, I don't know. I'm just thankful that my kids got involved with YWAM and God really touched their lives. There is only so much a parent can do. Kids, especially teens, need to socialize.
Now, I have a 6 month old Mexican baby that we are trying to adopt. At first, we thought we'd adopt the baby and move back to the states, but now we don't know how long we're going to be here. We made some changes and everyone seems to be doing really well here.
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"...bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as imposters; known yet regarded as unknown...poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." II Corinthians 6:8-10
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/20/2008 9:57:01 PM
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funny_girl
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I wanted to comment on the safety issue. It can feel scary at times. We all carry cell phones for security reasons.
For example: My youngest got his drivers license a couple weeks ago and took my car up to the YWAM base at 6:15 tonight. He said he'd be gone an hour and I said to be home before dark. It's not that I don't think he's a good driver, but it's how the other people drive and how horrible the roads are that is the problem. He was a little late and I was a little concerned.
I don't like to go out alone much because I get stared at by the Mexican men. We keep very close tabs on one another. It'd be a lot more freeing in the states. This makes living here more stressful for us.
_____________________________
"...bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as imposters; known yet regarded as unknown...poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." II Corinthians 6:8-10
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/21/2008 12:28:40 PM
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coolfamily6
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Row1
if your child is born in another country, he or she will not be able to become the U.S. president. Here is a link blank birth cert in case you need it.
This is not completely accurate because a child who is born to American parents living in another country is an American citizen in some circumstances. Some choose to have dual citizen ship in American and the country of birth. You would have to do some research to find out what the laws are about such things.
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If your bible is a mess; your life won't be.
~Encouragement a mom gave to our children at our First Grader's Bible Ceremony!
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/21/2008 2:02:21 PM
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Mrs.Wifey
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My Dad was born in the Netherlands, to American parents. He is considered a full American Citizen and is technically eligible to become President. He never had dual citizenship and relinquished any rights he may have had when he joined the Navy.
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 10/28/2008 6:34:08 AM
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zoebob
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Any child born to an American citizen is a citizen of the USA
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L-R: DD1, Ellies DS2, DD2, Ellies DS1
L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 11/2/2008 7:57:33 AM
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nevaehs_gaze
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From: United States
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Yes, I looked that up to be sure! As long as we are still considered US citizens and residents, our child would be considered a US citizen as well.
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RE: Children in a Foreign Country - 11/12/2008 1:27:55 AM
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Andemac
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I have had two children while we lived in another country. I came back to the States to give birth in both cases. The first was in Italy. We had friends who had children there but I could not speak the language well and my doctor did not like to speak english. I had a feeling that I needed to be back in the States for his birth and I am so glad that I came back. At the last minute I had to have a C-section.
Our second child was born 7 months ago. We now live in Israel and I went back to the States for her birth also. We found out on a Tuesday that we had to move to Israel and the following Thursday we found out we were expecting! I knew that I would come back for her birth and we planned for it. We have friends who recently had children there and the reaction was different for both. One had communication problems even having the child at the "american" hospital. The other had no problems and a great birth.
As to living overseas with kids, for us, it is the same as the States. We do live around a large group of Americans but my child goes to a jewish school, not the american one. He is doing very well. He speaks Hebrew and blends well with both of the cultures he is exposed to on a daily basis.
Being born to American parents will grant the child citizenship but you will have to apply for it at the embassy as soon as he is born and get the passport and visas right away (this may be different if you are military). You also need to check to see what will be required of him if he takes duel citizenship. Some countries require civil service at age 18. He will not however, be able to be president of the USA. To be president you must be born in a US state.
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my soldier! 
We intend to move back to Ethiopia at some point. Or at least be back and forth between there and the States often. In that case, we have to look at health and safety issues, but they are fairly easily dealt with since we know what potential problems are and what the solutions would be. 
For me, it was a good experience in many ways. Africa was and always will be "home" to me in a way. There are some drawbacks too though. Depending on how long you live in another country it can make the children feel as if they don't really belong anywhere hence the term 3rd culture kids. Also, once it's time to move back to the country of origin it can be a difficult adjustment. Even with the negative aspects I think you'll find that most 3rd culture kids love the countries they lived in and are very glad of the opportunities they had to experience other cultures. 
). 
