Tag Archives: empty nest

The Non-Expat Expat: Not Fitting The Box

Posted on March 28, 2016 by wordgeyser

We’ve lived away from our birth country for 20 years and a lot’s happened in that time – we moved to the USA, raised a family, took American citizenship, relocated back to Europe and will move on again. The first two … Continue reading →

Walking the Walk: The Reality of the Empty Nest

Posted on September 12, 2012 by wordgeyser

Having written a four-part series on the challenges of a child heading off for college, (see below for links) I’m now having to put that sage advice to the test. A few weeks back my husband and I headed off … Continue reading →

Posted in Empty Nest, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Women and Female Related | Tagged children leaving home, Emotion, empty nest, empty nest feelings of loss, empty nest syndrome, expat children heading to college, expat children leaving home, feelings of Grief and loss, feelings of loss when kids leave home, how to cope with children leaving home, hurricane Katrina, Louisiana State University, TCKs leaving the nest, University of British Columbia | 9 Comments

College Bound Kids?: After They’ve Gone

Posted on August 26, 2012 by wordgeyser

Part 4 in a series of 4 So they’ve finally headed off into the big wide world. Whether you’ve taken them yourself or because of circumstances that responsibility has been passed to another family member, the time comes you find … Continue reading →

Posted in College Bound Kids, Empty Nest, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Women and Female Related | Tagged college bound kids, college bound TCKs, empty nest, empty nest syndrome, expat kids heading to college, international family transitions, The Global Nomad's Guide to University, third culture kids, tina quick | 1 Comment

College Bound Kids?: Changing Family Dynamics

Posted on August 24, 2012 by wordgeyser

Part 3 in a series of 4 Whether a child is leaving home for college or because they choose to, parental emotions will run high. From the first time you held them to the day you wave them goodbye you … Continue reading →

Posted in College Bound Kids, Empty Nest, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Women and Female Related | Tagged A Global Nomad’s Guide to University, college bound kids, college bound teens, emotions at leaving home, empty nest, expat college bound teen, global nomads, moms coping with empty nest, third culture kids, tina quick, tips for college bound expat kids | 11 Comments

College Bound Kids? You’re Not On Your Own…

Posted on July 19, 2012 by wordgeyser

Part 1 in a series of 4 What a strange time of year. So far summer has been non-existent in The Hague and yet in a few weeks school will be back for the fall semester. Expat families will be … Continue reading →

Posted in College Bound Kids, Empty Nest, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Women and Female Related | Tagged are you ready for college, children going to college, children leaving home, coping with an empty nest, empty nest, expat families, expat families and transition to college, expat kids heading to college, expat kids transitioning to college, global nomads going to college, how to cope with children leaving home, leaving home, preparing for college, TCKs heading to college | 2 Comments

Light Bulb Moments: Recognizing the ‘Monkey Mind’

Posted on July 2, 2012 by wordgeyser

Ever heard the expression ‘monkey mind’? For those of you rolling your eyes in disbelief that once again I’m behind on things, please bear with me. I only came across this recently, in the process of editing a book. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat Experiences, Family Life, Personal challenges, Writing | Tagged apple gidley, empty nest, expat experiences, Expat Life Slice by Slice by Apple Gidley, feeling overwhelmed, feelings about children leaving home, Graduating high School, monkey mind. traveeling to France, Senior Prom, stepping back, when you can't write, writers block | 4 Comments

College Bound Kids: So You Think They’re Smart?

Posted on September 6, 2011 by wordgeyser

This was first posted when our middle child was in her freshman year at LSU. As the first reports trickle back of how this years new under-grads are faring, let this be a warning for parents… for the record, the … Continue reading →

Posted in College Bound Kids, Empty Nest, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Personal challenges, USA, Women and Female Related | Tagged college bound kids, college kids and hygiene, empty nest, expat kids going to college, kids leaving home, tck's in college | 2 Comments

College Bound Kids?: Keeping in Touch Across Time Zones

Posted on August 18, 2011 by wordgeyser

Part two of a series of four – suggest you pour a cup of coffee and kick back, this is a bit of a long one. It’s a tough subject. You’re now into the final days/ weeks before college starts … Continue reading →

Posted in College Bound Kids, Empty Nest, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Women and Female Related | Tagged Cell Phones, empty nest, expat college kids, expat kids heading for college, Facebook, IPhone, kids heading for college overseas, kids leaving home, parenting across time zones, parenting college age kids, Skype, Telecommunication | 5 Comments

College Bound Kids?: You’re not alone

Posted on August 16, 2011 by wordgeyser

What a strange time of year. So far summer has been non-existent in The Hague and yet in a few weeks school will be back for the fall semester. Expat families will soon be returning from their summer travels to … Continue reading →

Posted in College Bound Kids, Empty Nest, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Women and Female Related | Tagged child leaving home, college bound teen, coping with child going to university, empty nest, expat college bound teen, moms coping with empty nest, university transition | 13 Comments

Expat Kids Home for Christmas – In a Place They’ve Never Lived

Posted on December 27, 2010 by wordgeyser

I know, I know. We all feel that sense of anti-climax after Christmas. The present buying and wrapping, decorating the house, cooking, getting excited for the children coming home, travelling to friends and family, constant activity and mania – then … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Thanksgiving and Holidays, Dutch Culture, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Women and Female Related | Tagged Christmas, Thanksgiving and Holidays, empty nest, expat family, expat kids home for christmas, expat kids home in country they haven't lived in, expat moms, post christmas blues, TCKS home for christmas | 2 Comments

Expat Moms and Global Sisters

Posted on December 13, 2010 by wordgeyser

Today I feel especially close to expat moms like me who are counting down the days and hours to their off-spring heading ‘home’ for the Holidays. As a family, we’ve celebrated Christmas in the same way every year – familiar food, … Continue reading →