The Wild Ride of Raising Expat Kids in Austria
Congrats—you’ve taken the plunge into the exhilarating world of expat life with kids! You’ve traded familiarity for adventure, routine for spontaneity, and predictability for the unknown. You’ve braved the farewells, navigated the logistics, and now find yourself amidst the breathtaking landscapes of a new country. In our case, Austria. But the journey ahead is more than just picturesque views and cultural immersion. It’s a wild ride of highs, lows, and unexpected twists.
You’ve bid farewell to your old life, packed your bags, and embarked on this grand adventure. You’ve settled into your new home, the kids are enrolled in school, and you’re ready to conquer the world. When you think you’ve got it all under control, life throws you a curveball! It is so unexpected that it leaves you questioning your sanity and spelling skills. Suddenly, “mom” feels like a foreign concept, and being a responsible parent seems as daunting as scaling the Alps.
As a rookie expat, I thought I had it all figured out when we traded the sunny shores of South Africa for the enchanting hills of Austria. After all, we had visited this country countless times before. It held sentimental value as the birthplace of my father-in-law. But little did I know, the real adventure (or rather, the chaos) was beginning, especially with three energetic kiddos in tow. When we moved, my boys were 13, 10, and 7. Everyone assured us, “Kids adapt quickly; it’ll be a breeze!”
When Kids Take Their Time Adapting: The Tornado of Expat Life
That supposed breeze? More like a full-blown tornado! Welcome to our tale. Every family has a unique journey, and I’m here to give you the inside scoop on ours. So, when you, fellow expat parent, find yourself battling the gales of expat life and feeling like you’re parenting in the eye of a storm, remember: You’re not sailing solo through this storm!
Kids and Learning a New Language:
Hold onto your hats, peeps! My husband and I were convinced our boys would master the local language in a flash. After all, my husband conversed fluently in Hochdeutsch with his parents. Though our children never spoke it, they understood their grandparents just fine. (I know, hindsight’s 20/20; we should’ve been gabbing away in German since they were babes, but life happened.) As for me, I’ve never fancied myself a linguist. My language repertoire consists of Afrikaans as a second tongue, a dash of French from my days as a young au pair, and a slow, 22-year trudge up the German learning ladder. Let me tell you, deciphering German is like decoding hieroglyphics during a caffeine withdrawal. And just when you think you’ve cracked the code, enter stage left: Austrian dialect! It’s like learning a new language within a language!
Picture this linguistic whirlwind: our boys plunged headfirst into local schools, tasked with mastering German while deciphering the intricacies of the Austrian dialect. They picked up the swear words faster than you could say, “Dankeschön.” Each expat kid of mine charted his course through this linguistic jungle gym in life. Our middle son took to it like a duck to water, embracing the Austrian dialect with gusto and correcting my grammatical slip-ups. The eldest, a stickler for rules, aced the theory and occasionally plays language cop with his dear old mom, although he still struggles to articulate verbally. And then there’s our youngest, bless his bewildered soul. He was barely getting the hang of vowel sounds and English literacy back home when we whisked him off to Austria, throwing him headlong into second grade in a foreign land. Talk about a baptism by fire!
Sure, there are International Schools in Austria, where English reigns supreme. But who wants to trek an hour and a half each way, braving the traffic and missing out on the local flavour? We opted for the local experience for our expat kids, and boy, are we in for a life of adventure!
Every child dances to their own language beat, and assuming they’ll effortlessly pick up a new tongue is like expecting a cat to bark. Some excel at math, others at languages, and we’re living proof that linguistic prowess isn’t one-size-fits-all.
But wait, there’s more! Let me introduce you to exhibit number two:
Making Friends Abroad
Have you ever tried to knit a sweater while hurtling through the sky? Making friends in a new country feels a bit like that—challenging, to say the least. And for the kiddos, forming those crucial bonds has been a marathon, not a sprint. Sure, the language barrier poses its own set of hurdles, but kids? They’ve got this uncanny knack for forging connections sans words, slowly mastering the art of communication through shared experiences.
But let’s talk about integrating into a tight-knit community—it’s like squeezing into a snug jersey. There’s no unique fit, especially when the local kids already have established cliques. Breaking into those circles? That’s another ballgame, especially with the older crowd—the dreaded “teenagers.” You’d think our tales of safaris and lion sightings would pique their interest, coming from a land as culturally diverse as South Africa. But alas, curiosity doesn’t always match reality.
Back home, when we moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town during the whirlwind of 2020, our kids seamlessly slid into their new schools and made friends within a blink. Fast forward to Austria, and it’s been a journey, not a race. But after a year and eight months of perseverance, our little family has finally found their way. They’re swapping jokes, stories, and colourful language. It might’ve taken longer than expected, but hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day—or, in our case, friendships forged in a year and eight months!
Weathering the Weather (and the Germs):
Say goodbye to endless sunshine and braais—now we’re knee-deep in seasons so distinct, they could star in their own novel. Picture it: moody spring showers, scorching summer heatwaves, and winter wonderlands from a fairy tale. Our journey began in Austria in late August of 2022. Those initial days were spent basking in warm sunshine, swimming, and exploring the great outdoors. Like clockwork, autumn tiptoed in, bringing a chill that felt all too familiar from our South African winters—daytime temperatures hovering between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius.
And then came winter—a different kettle of fish. We’re talking about the coldest temperatures we’ve ever experienced! Snow, as far as the eye can see, and days so short and dark it felt like a perpetual midnight. (Ok, it’s an over-exaggeration, but you get what I’m saying!) As if that weren’t enough, cue the onslaught of illnesses—colds hitting us harder than a sack of potatoes to the head! Just as we’d recover, another strain would knock us flat. The mountains of tissues and gallons of tea we went through could’ve stocked a small village.
But it didn’t stop there. Each season has brought its brand of malaise, from the common cold to flu strains that felt like a punch from Mike Tyson to hayfever, turning our eyes into puffier versions of Rocky Balboa’s after a fight. But fear not, dear readers, for amidst the sniffles and sneezes, our immune systems slowly acclimate to the environment. It’s a process akin to forging steel—you’ve got to endure the heat to come out stronger on the other side.
And hey, if there’s one thing we’ve mastered in this whirlwind of weather woes, it’s the art of layering like seasoned pros!
Culture Maze: Shock, Awe, and Expat Kids
Culture shock? More like culture electrocution! Every aspect of life feels like a polar opposite from the southern tip of Africa to the heart of Western Europe. We’ve gone from teaching our now expat kids not to talk to strangers in South Africa to navigating the intricate dance of Austrian greetings. Grocery shopping? It’s a whole new ball of wax. And don’t even get me started on the serene Sundays and the unspoken rules of alpine etiquette—we’ve stumbled through them all like tourists armed with nothing but a pen and a notepad.
Amidst the chaos, we’ve amassed a treasure trove of lessons learned and cultural quirks discovered. From the dos and don’ts of Austrian living to thirty ways to fall head over heels for life in Austria, our journey is a testament to the resilience of expat kids and the boundless adventures that await those brave enough to embrace them.
Parenting on the Go: Tips for Helping Your Expat Kids Thrive
I’m not a professional; I’m just a parent still learning and smack bang in the middle of helping my children navigate our new lives. Now, let’s delve into some practical advice for helping your little adventurers navigate the highs and lows of expat life:
- Go Easy on Yourself: Remember, you’re not alone on this journey of expat life with kids, and it’s okay to take it slow. Kids adapt at their own pace, so give them—and yourself—grace as you settle into your new reality.
- Create a Comfort Zone: Help your kids feel at home by personalising their space. Whether decking out their room with familiar toys and books or painting the walls in their favourite colours, providing a cosy sanctuary can work wonders for their security.
- Language Learning: Dive headfirst into the local language journey with your expat kids. Embrace accents during movie nights, schedule playdates with native speakers, and show them you’re in this linguistic adventure together. It’s all part of the fun!
- Stay Healthy: A new environment brings new germs, so prioritise immune support. While fresh produce might be scarcer and more seasonal, make up for it with quality vitamins and minerals to keep those sniffles at bay.
- Explore, Explore, Explore: Immerse yourselves in the wonders of your new home. Take on local activities like hiking, cycling, or strolling through parks. Dive into the heart of the culture by visiting museums, attending festivals, and indulging in regional delicacies.
- Practice Patience: Embrace the rollercoaster of emotions that come with relocating. From homesickness to excitement, your kids will experience it all, and that’s perfectly normal. Stay patient, stay resilient, and remember that every hurdle is an opportunity for growth—for both you and your children. You might discover that your children lend you a hand while you guide and support them!
- Forge Stronger Bonds: Moving abroad isn’t just about geographical relocation; it’s about strengthening familial bonds. Embrace the journey together, lean on each other for support, and watch as your family grows closer than ever before. You and your family can thrive rather than survive, and you can be happy as an expat, and your kids can be, too!
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting your expat kids abroad. Trust your instincts, stay flexible, and embrace the adventure of life ahead. After all, the best memories are often found in the most unexpected places.
It is a bitter sweet thing, knowing two cultures. Once you leave your birthplace, nothing is ever the same.
– Sarah Turnbull
To all brave souls contemplating a leap into the unknown with kids in tow, buckle up and embrace the chaos. While the expat road with kids may be bumpy, the destination is always worth the journey—even if you dry more tears and give more cuddles than you initially anticipated. Expat kids do adjust—sometimes, just not as quickly as we think or as society leads us to believe. And you know what? That’s okay!
xoxo
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