I have watched some episodes of House Hunters International on HGTV.
It has given me the idea that some people just want to uproot their kids because they view it as a status symbol, something to check off on their parenting resume.
(”Oh yes, Johnny and Sally speak perfect Spanish/German/Mandarin because we tore them away from our comfortable neighborhood when they were a very vulnerable age!”)
Bingo!
If I were starting over with kids, I’d spend at least a year out of our country so they could all add a second language early on.
Done right, it can be pretty cool.
My son was born in Sweden and has travelled widely. He’s been in 20-25 countries including being north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Equator.
And yes, he speaks English, Spanish and Swedish.
But it is all for a reason. He is one of the most grounded, mannered and thoughtful kids you could ever want to meet.
The difference is the baggage you take along. You can either choose to listen and learn about cultures, differences and history, or you can keep the same thoughts and beliefs and stay closed minded.
We chose the former.