It depends on your country of citizenship and country of residence. It is not the case for all expatriates.

On the otherhand it does depend on how long her husband has been away. We repatriated to our "home" country after 10 years abroad- and honestly it was just as difficult and frustrating but in different ways. Everybody assumes you know how to do everything, no one extends an offer to help...but in ten years so much can…

And if you stay long enough the holiday ends and you inevitably rediscover why.

We have the same dynamic... but as you age the relative length of friendships with your school friends vs say- university friends, diminishes. I have lived in 7 countries, moved house more than 30 times and attended 10 schools. My husband , before we started our lives as expats together, had lived in 2 homes in…

Having been an expatriate for many years, none of this exactly new. It takes at least a year in a new location to create a new life, a new normal, a new routine, a new "home". You go "home" for a visit and then realise that "home" is now another place and you are happy to go back to the new place. I discount the …

I just.. I just find this boring to complain about.. it's not that big of a deal. People are curious when they see something that doesn't fit within the norm that they are used to. So they feel an urge to make things make sense by asking the question. It's rude , it's also human and I'm sorry- at this point it's …

Reminds me of Elaine and her Catalogs

Imagine- branding your halloween pumpkins!! AWESOME :-)

You are a saint. I mean that. That kid is lucky to have you for a neighbour. Your daughter might not agree. How about h=gifting him an outing- tickets to a movie or zoo or something.

ooooo so mean! I bet she cried. I always cherish the memory of my Uncle opening what he thought were water skis from our grandparents, his parents - to find fence palings with Dunlop Volley tennis shoes tied to them. We grandkids had all helped in the wrapping of them . He was one of 8 kids- yes of course you can…

aaahhh have you not seen LEGO Minecraft?

Or you go online to a shop like Brick Link and buy the pieces you need (want) and stick them in your advent calander . You're welcome.

Don't be- it might just mean he wants one of his OWN- a common kid request !

Woulnit it be awesome under the christma stree (won't fit in a stocking !)

What exactly is anyone in this country going to do with MORE freedom! They can't use the freedom they have properly.

You have learnt a great lesson...hopefully this relationship will also teach you more worthwhile things about life. I hope one of these is not to let someone else be completely responsible for your happiness. I wish you well.

I come from a land downunder where kids are required to put their hair up to go to school. This young lady's hair is beautiful and it is no more distracting than the endless flipping of the long blonde straightened "look at me" locks that 50% of the girls wear at our local high school (very vanilla area). They should…

I don't get the "creepy" thing either. I have twins (and a singleton) and this makes me all clucky. Prepare yourself for a brutal 3 year rollercoaster ride followed by the smug smile you can plaster on your face for about 13 years (puberty) because you have TWINS!!!!!!!!. Best wishes for your good health and that of…

Re umbilical cords and bathing... only in the US are you advised to wait otherwise you'll kill the baby. The incidence of baby death from bathing (not drowning) elsewhere in th world seems to be... nil?

They are not preemie babies. This is what a newborn looks like. These are a few days old and probably on the small side. Newborns tend to lose a little weight and then gain..and gain..and gain.