When all I wanted for Christmas was a Fax machine

Have you lived away from home long enough to have boxes of letters? I have but all of that all stopped when I got my first fax machine. One of my quirkiest but most desired wishes for Christmas.

Expat StoriesAllison OchsOctober 19, 2017Fax machines, Letter Writing, Homesick, Airmail, Expat, Expat Life, Expat StoriesComment

When should you trust your teens?

Do you trust your teen blindly? Maybe you don't trust at all but many parents think they need to trust their child to have a good relationship. How do you answer the question of when to trust?

Why am I not a migrant worker? Expat Privilege

Am I a migrant or an expat? I had quite the experience at the expat center in Amsterdam and it became clear to me how different we are treated.

Expat StoriesAllison OchsOctober 12, 2017Migrant, Global Nomad, Expat life, Life Abroad, Migrant Workers, PrivilegeComment

Now a book! Would I have sexted back in the 80s?

This blog post has been now turned into a book published by Amsterdam University Press.

Working with teens I get to talk about all kinds of fun stuff. Today as I was talking about sexting I thought back to my teen years. Would I have sent a sext to my teen crush to get his attention? Scary thought.

What does that word mean? Misunderstandings

Oh, have I messed up with languages in the past. The video I have linked in this blog post is hysterical. Twelve words we really should have in English. What is your favorite word?

Expat StoriesAllison OchsOctober 5, 2017Learning Languages, Expat Life, Expat, Life Abroad, LanguagesComment

Teenagers...let them be bored!

I find myself entertaining my kids too often. Do you remember being bored? I sure do and it was good for me.

The Big Family SeriesAllison OchsOctober 3, 2017Teen Health, Boredom, Raising Teens, Kids HealthComment

Mormon Missionaries and Me

I have a strange soft spot for mormon missionaries. Call is what you like...I think they remind me of home.

Expat StoriesAllison OchsSeptember 28, 2017Missionaries, Mormons, Expat Life, Life Abroad, Expat, Expat StoriesComment

Meet the Gold Medalist

Her she is, traveling Europe; a true gold medalist in exceeding expectations. My Mom and my sister didn't listen....thank goodness too.

The Big Family SeriesAllison OchsSeptember 26, 2017Adoption, Interracial Families, Transracial Families, DisabilitiesComment

Bad Days Abroad

When you live abroad sometimes after a bad day you want to pack up your stuff and go home. I do just that almost every time...just not with a plane.

Expat StoriesAllison OchsSeptember 21, 2017Expat Stories, Expat life, Life in Europe, Life Abroad, Challenges, HomeComment

My twin! Family Resemblance

My brother and I were in the same grade and said we were twins, my sister and I dressed like twins; I guess we confused a lot of people. Family resemblance can be a touchy subject but you can also have some fun with it. Life with the Thatcher's was never boring.

The Big Family SeriesAllison OchsSeptember 19, 2017interracial families, International Adoption, Big Family, Raising teens, AdoptionComment

The Complaint Club

Have you ever stood around the parking lot at school or with you girlfriends and just complained up a storm. I know I am guilty. As an expat these clubs take on a new element. I found out a few years ago one of the things I complained the most about was one of the things I loved the most...

Expat StoriesAllison OchsSeptember 14, 2017Living in Europe, Life Abroad, Expat Life, Culture, Complaints, Parenting, School LunchComment

I'm all grown up! Teen fighting

This week I was thinking about a fight I had with one of my teens, then I thought of my siblings. I was this little girl and when I finally became a teen I struggled to be seen by my siblings. Read about why your teens might be fighting with you.

The Big Family SeriesAllison OchsSeptember 12, 2017Teen Health, Teen Parenting, Parenting, Siblings, Teen fightingComment

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