When you consider that Qatar have a native population of only c. 250,000 people it’s easy to fall into a state of awe at just how successful a little nation, Qatar really is. Possibly the richest country in the world, home to over a hundred different nationalities, none of whom will even gain citizenship, unless…
It’s probably ingrained in us Irish and maybe even more-so that any other nationality, that we are prone to suffering from a small bit of negativity. We lean towards the down side. We highlight the pitfalls, point out the inefficiencies and harp on about the negative in like, any situation. We loved to go on about Christmas starting…
By the time it comes to the last week of school term, a morning without an argument about how many spoons of Rice Krispies qualifies as a breakfast, seems like heaven. The kids are tired, the monotony of school lunches is like Chinese torture, for you making them, and for the kids having to eat…
We all want different things for our kids, me for example I want my kids to grow up with a real sense of Ireland and what it means to be Irish, my friend (also Irish) on the other hand, wants her kids to grow to have style and be stylish. I understand that, I get…
Not the most easily transportable, not the most easily adjustable, not the most co-operative and a nightmare to travel with, guess what……teenagers. I need space, no-one here understands me, why do we have to live abroad, why can’t I for once cook what I like for a change and that’s just me, they’ve different gripes,…
The act of living in limbo was never something I thought I could cope with, let alone master and perfect. Alas, I have succeeded, I have grown akin to the common bee, floating from flower to flower sucking the nectar from each before leaving abruptly and going to the next one. Nearly five years ago…
Thousands and thousands of children and across Ireland are back to school next week, thousands and thousands of parents are getting ready to exhale. They are delighted to have the kids back, the old routine restored, They’ve done all they can with the children over the summer holidays and now having picked up a school…
Owing to the population density and massive pollution problem in Jakarta, much of daily life is spent indoors. Although the torrential rain, thunder and lightning doesn’t start until about 1.45.p.m. the mornings can be unbearably warm and sticky making a trip to the swimming pool the only feasible outdoor activity for kids. Forgot long walks…
The lack of over-the-top rules and regulations in primary school in Jakarta, Indonesia, is refreshing to say the least. Unlike Ireland where having a child in national school suddenly heightens your awareness / paranoia of child abuse to mania level. The teacher cannot tend to a sick child without there being a witness. The teacher…
Having recently spoken about expat wives and husbands, it is only natural that I give “expat kids” a mention. Now referred to as Third Culture Kids, you’ll know if you’re raising a TCK, as there are 10 basic signs. 1. He flew before he had teeth and he needed an exit visa before he was…
thereluctantemigrant 