Playing in the snow after a Thanksgiving dinner. Some of the best Thanksgivings. I loved goofing around with my siblings and roughhousing. Even though we have fun together we are all opinionated and a serious discussion might erupt. If your family has been in heated discussions over the last week you are not alone. It's just part of the fun. Debate on.
Read MoreIf my French would have been better I would have written to the papers. Dealing with Police officers and administration in a foreign country can be a delicate matter. Learn the rules and don't cross the line.
Read MoreHaving five adopted siblings helped me understand how hurtful comments could be at a young age. My parents not only taught us to use our words carefully but to show zero tolerance when others were not thinking; coaching them gently to understand their own use of words. Don't underestimate the power of words.
Read MoreLessons learned from my German Law Professor. I will never forget his touching WWII story and how he made me feel the day he shared it. I thought of his story watching the election news unfolded and as I was coming to grips with the results. Kindness is never forgotten!
Read MoreAngry children, angry spouse, angry anybody.... Misunderstandings happen every day. This is the cutest misunderstanding I know of.
When I first arrived in Europe I was told to lose my sweats and pyjama pants! It was a very sad day for me! Dress codes are changing but back then you would have been considered a complete freak to go to the grocery store dressed like you'd just rolled out of bed.
Read MoreHave times really changed? Manners are still manners and a good dinner with friends or family is still a highlight. Spend quality time together and lose the phones for a few hours.
Read MoreSurviving expat life and surviving motherhood = tears will flow. It is nothing to be embarrassed about. Perfection isn't the goal. Own it! I cry!
Read MorePurple hair, piercings, clothes that you don't like. If you have a teen, this might sound familiar. I shaved one-half of my hair away at age 14. The picture of it makes anyone who sees it roar with laughter, especially my kids. Read about how to deal with these kinds of outbursts from your teen.
Read MoreNo, it's not true! I have been stereotyped so many times living in Europe; this is one of my favorite stories about how stereotyping can be very rude and embarrassing. Yes, I am American, yes I live in Europe and yes I eat healthy food.
Read MoreWhen you ski you fall. Life is a bit like skiing; you fall! When my Dad was teaching me to ski he taught me a valuable lesson about falling, failure and getting back up.
Read MoreKeep calm and celebrate Halloween. It hasn't always easy; from finding the right kind of pumpkin to getting everything I thought I needed. It has been 27 years in Europe, 5 different countries and I still do something for Halloween every year.
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