Lifelong Expat,
Guiding Expat Families

From growing up overseas to raising a family abroad, I understand the expat journey inside and out. I help global families and workers build connection and resilience with real insights and proven strategies through coaching, workshops, and speaking.

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COMPANIES ANNA HAS PARTNERED WITH

Why Partner With Anna?

Anna Danforth Smiling outdoors for author photo

Lived Experience That Sets Her Apart

Many expat coaches understand life overseas, but few have lived it from childhood to parenthood. Anna grew up abroad as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) and later raised her own children overseas, giving her a rare, firsthand perspective on the challenges and rewards of expat life.

A Speaker Who Connects & Equips

Anna’s engaging, insightful, and practical approach leaves audiences not just informed but deeply encouraged—whether she’s delivering a keynote, leading a workshop, or coaching one-on-one.

Expertise in Global Family Support

With years of experience as a TCK educator, speaker, and certified debriefer, Anna has helped countless families, organizations, and mission teams navigate transitions with confidence.

Education That Supports Real-World Impact

Anna holds a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and a BA in Secondary French Teaching — bringing both academic depth and practical insight to every workshop, coaching session, and speaking event.

Learn More About Anna

TCK Training Workshops

Anna leads research-based workshops for expatriate parents, international businesses, international schools, mission organizations, and educators worldwide.

Pathways Certification

Gain the skills and certification needed to provide excellent, research-based care for TCKs.

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Groundwork Certification

Foundational training for TCK caregivers, with practical tools and certifications in youth mental health and suicide prevention.

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Holistic Health for TCKs

Supporting the emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of Third Culture Kids.

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Adult TCKs & Parenting

How your TCK past shapes your parenting—and how to parent with purpose across cultures.

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Adult TCKs & Marriage

Navigating relationships and identity as an adult who grew up abroad.

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SPEAKING & COACHING

Helping Families & Organizations Thrive

Anna offers coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements designed to help expat families, educators, and global workers navigate life overseas with confidence.

Speaking Topics Include

TCK Family & Parenting Foundations

Focuses on child development, parenting, and nurturing healthy TCKs.

Raising Healthy TCKs

Holistic Health for TCKs

Positive Childhood Experiences

Healthy Risk-Taking and Child Development

Equipping & Supporting Global Workers

Covers practical tools and emotional care for those in cross-cultural missions and global work.

Stress on the Field

Ethical Image Sharing for Global Workers

Developing a Flow of Care Plan for Global Workers

Critical Components of Pre-Field Training

Trauma, Processing & Faith Integration

Tools and frameworks for processing hard experiences and integrating faith.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Safe Space Responses

Learning Through Leading Bible Study Framework

Two figures linked, symbolizing connection

Adult TCKs & Interpersonal Relationships

Addresses long-term impact and adult life, including marriage, parenting, and grief.

Adult TCKs and Marriage

Adult TCKs and Parenting

Unstacking Your Grief Tower

Book Anna Danforth

COACHING

Coaching for Families & Individuals

Thriving as a Global Family

Build connection, identity, and resilience overseas.

Personalized support for TCKs and expat parents

Navigating identity and cultural transitions

Building connection and stability in a global setting

Preparing for Life Abroad

Get your family ready for a smooth transition.

Preparing your family for an international move

Practical strategies for settling into a new country

Book Anna Danforth

FREE RESOURCE

Get a Free Sample from Raising a Family Overseas

Get a free sample from one of Anna’s most impactful books. Inside, you’ll find practical wisdom and heartfelt guidance to help your family thrive through the transitions of expat life.

Raising a Family Overseas book cover: family on scooter, Anna Danforth

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Catch Anna Live At These Upcoming Events

Want Anna at your next event?

Book Anna Danforth

International Christian Educator Conference (ACSI)

ACSI

Malaysia

Nov 26-29 2025

TCK Family Conference

Cyprus

July 21 - 25 2025

"I'm grateful for this well-rounded resource!"

“Filled with stories from her own life and those of many other globally-mobile families, Anna weaves an easy-to-read, practical book for families taking children to live outside of their passport country. Not only do I love the practical ideas, but that those ideas are centered around parent-child connection and integrating into the host culture - both of which are so critical for a healthy experience abroad. I'm grateful for this well-rounded resource!”

Lauren Wells

CEO of TCK Training and the Unstacking Company

" This book is a must-read for any parent "

Raising a Family Overseas recognizes the seemingly never-ending chaos of transition and provides proven advice about thriving on mission—not merely surviving. This book is a must-read for any parent searching for ways to empower their kids and thrive in their own God-given calling. Whether you're planning to travel abroad, already on the field, or returning from years of service, this book serves as a reminder that you are not alone in the journey and help is within reach.

David Joannes

Founder of Within Reach Global and author of The Mind of a Missionary

" Incredibly blessed to have the amazing Anna Danforth "

“Our group was incredibly blessed to have the amazing Anna Danforth as our keynote speaker. Her wisdom and insight not only encouraged, but deeply ministered to our families, as she filled us with hope for the future of our Third Culture Kids.”

Raising Healthy TCKs Conference

TCK Training

Media

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BLOG | JAN 23, 2025

Co-Grieving Loss with Your Repatriated TCK

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Anna Danforth and Podcast host on a thumbnail for the podcast Talks with a TCK Friend

PODCAST | OCT 19, 2024

Healthy Risk Taking (ft. Anna Danforth)

Listen Now

Man with curly hair, olive skin and beard kissing his son who has olive skin and curly hair in front of a green garage door

ARTICLE | AUG 26, 2024

Connecting Your Family to Expanded Capacity

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😊😢🥹 The mom-emotions can feel magnified in expat life. Everything is just…more.

What would you add?

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expatmom #livingabroad #expatlife #emotions #worldtraveler #globalfamily #travelingfamily #expatfamily #momlife

🌏 Let’s dive into the world of Third Culture Kids through TCK Training’s ground breaking certification course, Pathways. As a caregiver, you understand the unique challenges TCKs face navigating a globally mobile life.

Our 11-unit course equips you with research-driven methods and best practices, ensuring you provide quality care to TCKs. From understanding foundations of specialized TCk care to educational planning, each unit is designed deepen your understanding and enhance your caregiving skills within your organization.

🌟 As one of your instructors, I’m excited to guide you through unit 4 (Flow of Care) and 8 (Pre-Field TCK Care).

👉 Enroll now! https://www.tcktraining.com/pathways

@tcktraining Learn more in TCK Training’s bio!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #tcktraining #tckcare #tckcaregivers #expatlife #expatmom #expatdad #expatfamily #globalnomads #internationallife #internationalfamily #lifeoverseas #worldtraveler #livingabroad #globetrotter #expat

👋Hey there, I’m Anna!

If you’re navigating expat family life—or dreaming about it—you’re in the right place. I grew up as a Third Culture Kid between Quebec and Africa, and I’ve spent the last 12 years raising my own kids overseas.

As an expat family consultant, author, and international speaker, I’ve listened to thousands of stories from expats around the world—what works, what doesn’t, and what truly lasts in global family life.

And I’m here to share those insights with you.

I’m so glad you’re here!

FOLLOW along for real talk and research-based tools for your global life.

Have questions? DM me- I’d love to help!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #instapassport #travelingfamily #expatfamily #expatlife #atck #speaker #keynote #expatwife #expatmom #expatlife #lifeinafrica #missions #internationaltravel #lifeoverseas #livingabroad #travelmore #adventurefamily #travelgram #travelblogger #familyhealth #pces #worldtraveler

🧳 Getting ready to move overseas? Don’t let the chaos steal what matters most.

Whether you’re embarking on your first international move or heading to your tenth assignment, those final weeks can feel like a whirlwind—full of logistics, last-minute tasks, and misplaced priorities.

📚 Raising a Family Overseas is your calm in the storm. Drawing on hundreds of real-life stories from expat families around the world—alongside my own hard-earned experience—this book helps you:
•Strategically schedule your final weeks
•Keep your sanity amidst the chaos
•Focus on what will actually matter decades from now

You only get one chance to do this transition well. Let Raising a Family Overseas guide you through it with clarity, wisdom, and heart.

👉 Buy it on Amazon today and make this move one your family will remember for all the right reasons.

📚 Raising a Family Overseas
https://a.co/d/f8peXeq

#raisingafamilyoverseas #travelingfamily #movingday #expatlife #movingtips #expatfamily #worldtraveler #globetrotter

😳 Living in the Land of Giants Part 2.

12 years ago, I discovered that I am not built for Afrikaans homes. I took this picture trying to apply mascara with this mirror at my friend’s place.

Today, my height deficiencies won again trying to brush my teeth in a chest-high sink at an Air BnB.

I’ve heard people say that they feel like toddlers when they move abroad and try to communicate in a new language. I feel like a toddler every day just trying to brush my teeth. 😆

👉 Drop a comment with your cross-cultural challenge!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #cultureshock #worldtraveler #globetrotter #afrikaans #short #lifeoverseas #livingabroad #giant #southafrica #homedesign

🏆 IDK what you do at airports but we go for greatness. Sam mastered a 6-stair span on the escalator. Who can beat him?

Only rule- both feet stay planted until you dismount. Film it. Tag me.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #goingforgreatness #escalator #layover #airportlife #airport #travelgames #expatlife #lifeoverseas #worldtraveler #globetrotter #travel

🥰 Picking this lil’ chocolate chip cookie up at the airport in a few hours. It’s been almost a year since I hugged her.

Loving across an ocean is no joke.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expatfamily #lifeoverseas #worldtraveler #globetrotter #internationalliving

🤷‍♀️ Who knows how long it’ll last. Maybe an hour, maybe two days, but FRIDAY NIGHT LAUNDRY PARTY AT MY PLACE!!! 🥳🥳🥳

#raisingafamilyoverseas #runningwater #laundry #expatlife #worldtraveler #globetrotter #southafrica

🗣️ Did you know that language learning was listed LAST by TCKs on a strengths survey?

While a lot of people do learn new language skills while living abroad, it’s not a given. But people back home often expect it to be. Or you had that expectation for yourself. And that expectation might fuel your insecurities.

👇Some very real things that could be impacting your language learning ability:

•Few learning resources in the target language. Sure, you can learn French on Duolingo or a thousand online tutorials, but minority language resources are a lot harder to find.

•Your new friends all want to speak English. It’s a lot harder to learn the target language when everyone around you wants to speak your common major language.

•Cultural practices and beliefs make it hard to connect. This is especially true of women living in certain areas abroad.

•Your brain cannot absorb new information when it’s on overdrive. All of your brain’s resources go to the important parts of survival when it’s stressed. Settling in takes time, which means your brain literally cannot absorb new information at the capacity it did back home. Until life settles a bit.

•Your team has a wide range of expectations for how much time you’ll spend together and how much time you’ll get on your own in the community.

•Your sending agency did not have the funding or foresight to arrange language classes.

To those of you crushing new languages, we’re cheering for you! To you who are struggling- it might not be your lack of ability but some very real challenges.

I’ve lived in South Africa for a decade and I am disappointed by how little Zulu and Afrikaans I understand. Add to that I’m a language teacher by trade. Not a great look for me.

But I can appreciate the fact that I might not be a terrible language learner. I learned more Sotho in nine months with a language teacher in Lesotho than these languages where I haven’t had formal learning opportunities and where more people want to speak English with me.

👉 Any other challenges to add to the list?

#raisingafamilyoverseas #languagelearning #polyglot #bilingual #languages #expatlife #worldtraveler #globetrotter

Lavish. This is not a word on the tongue of many empty nesting moms when silence thunders loud where giggles, hot tears, dad jokes, and stories once filled the rooms of her sacred castle.

But the silence of launching you has left me reflective. All year.

God heard my prayers- those twisted gut utterances that us mothers make when we send children off, knowing all too well that there are no guarantees. Not that we’ll see them again, that their hearts won’t be broken, that they won’t fall through the cracks, or experiment with things that take them far off course.

We’re not guaranteed that they’ll still want or love Jesus, that their minds and bodies wont be broken and bruised, that they’ll eat their veggies, or remember to be assertive, honest, kind, and loving. These are the things we are not guaranteed. And so we pray.

I prayed that you would know how deep and wide is God’s love for you. That you would find your people, that you’d be loved well, and that you’d love well. I prayed that Jesus would keep you, but oh, that he would open your mind to think and wrestle deeper than you ever have - and that you’d still believe. I prayed for friends- great friends- who would support, challenge, grow you in Jesus.

I was not guarenteed these things. Not one of them. But God gave them anyway. And then he lavished. Il a ajouté encore plus.

*continued in comments.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #emptynest #lavish #prayer #launched #atck #expatfamily #thirdculturekids #inhishands

🥘 Nothing like Nani and Priti’s home cooking and a potluck of bhajiya, mutton curry, biryani, masala tea. I’ve missed this!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #indianfood #southafrica #bhajiya #curry #cooking #expatlife #worldtraveler #masalatea #biryani

Sitting with this simple invitation from Jesus today.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #abideinme #john15 #abide #invitation

🤪 Been there?

*No, the Danforths are not moving. But this made me think of all you parents out there crushing international life with young kids! 💪🏼

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expatliving #lifeoverseas #movingabroad #internationaltravel #worldtraveler #globetrotter #expatfamily #packing #movingday #funnydogs #lordhelpme #patience #gsp #rescuedog

“Should I go to South Africa?” Your hesitation is understandable. But let me paint a fuller picture for our partners with Genesis Hope and for the region you’ll serve.

We need you now more than ever.

Made in partnership with @genesishopesouthafrica in KwaZulu Natal.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #southafrica #genesishope #missiontrip #kwazulunatal #visitsouthafrica #worldtraveler

👋 We became certified debriefers. Here why.

1. Everyone goes through hard stuff. Without support, that hard stuff turns into even harder stuff, affecting you and your family. We know. Because we’ve been there.

2. We’ve seen the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual toll that unprocessed hardship takes on a person. We know. Because we’ve been there.

3. The “stuck-ness” you feel is trying to tell you something. We know. Because we’ve been there.

4. The tenderness and intimacy that vanished from your marriage can be revived. We know. Because we’ve been there.

5. There is so much more to ministry than the emptiness you feel from doing all the things for God. We know. Because He’s shown us.

The journey that led us to the point of wanting to help others has been a deep dive into learning about God, life, love, ministry, family, boundaries, sacrifice, resilience, health, honesty, and a thousand other things that you’re also experiencing. Our heart is for you and for you to know sweet restoration by the One who makes life in desert places. 🌵

Our story isn’t done yet and we want to hear yours.

👉 More to come on how to connect with us for debriefing through @tcktraining

#raisingafamilyoverseas #debrief #processing #stress #resilience #mentalhealth #ministry #livingabroad #lifeoverseas #restoration #tcktraining #unstacking

Ever feel like you have a powerful story but you’re not sure how to share it? You don’t have to keep missing powerful connections with potential ministry partners, business partners, donors, and opportunities. You have the story inside of you about how God is at work through your ministry, you just need help crafting it.

My “Telling Your Story for Impact” workshop helps you harness your story and share it for impact!

👉 DM me to find out more.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #storytelling #fundraising #missions #ministry #expat

Thoughts?

👉 If you’ve read Anxious Generation, tell me your takeaways. It’s on my reading list!

🎙️
@jonathanhaidt
@ezraklein

#raisingafamilyoverseas #genz #mentalhealth #smartphones #socialmedia #attention #attentionfragmentation #EzraKlein #JonathanHaidt #anxiousgeneration #genalpha

🙋🏼‍♀️ Tell me I’m not the only one occasionally needing to

•change the scenery
•try new foods
•go on a road trip
•work with a different view
•sleep in a different bed
•switch up my style
•speak in a different language

👉 What things do you like to switch up?

Craving change isn’t bad. Switching little things up adds spice and vibrance to life. But a word of caution- chasing too much change can go south with big stakes things, like constant shifts in relationships and jobs. Learn more in @tcktraining free research on how your globally mobile childhood may impact adulthood.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #thirdculturekid #globalnomad #expat #worldtraveler #globetrotter #change #tcktraining

❤️ Story Telling Workshop one-on-ones have been a huge source of joy. We’re unleashing stories of God’s greatness along the coast through @genesishopesouthafrica - from breaking the mold of how we reach kids through music to salvation breakthroughs while providing drinking water to undeserved families.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #storytelling #workshop #cleanwater #music #missions #contentcreator

🌏 How’s your family doing with life abroad? Through the pages of Raising a Family Overseas, you’ll gain tools to foster family health during vulnerable seasons of change. Whether it’s scheduling your last few weeks at home, navigating travel, settling in, or dealing with disillusionment, you’ll learn from expat families all over the world what works and what doesn’t in globally mobile life.

📚 Get your copy today!
https://a.co/d/f8peXeq

✍️ And don’t forget to write your review on Amazon!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expat #expatlife #expatfamily #expatmom #expatdad #lifeoverseas #livingabroad #movingabroad #internationallife #globetrotter #thirdculturekids #worldtraveler

To the ones who made me a mom and who are my moms- you have been the gift of love and joy this side of Heaven that I don’t deserve and for which I am deeply grateful. Thank you for being my tribe. Thank you for making motherhood beautiful.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #mothersday #mothersday2025 #expatmom #moms

👂 You know you’re an Adult TCK if your ears perk up hearing a language you grew up speaking and you’ll do anything to join the conversation.

Whether it’s Tagalog, Lingala, or French, you’re just a sprint away.

🌍 Drop a comment with the language(s) that make your ears perk up!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #minority #language #atck #thirdculturekid #lifeoverseas #expat #expatkids #interpreter #bilingual #polyglot #internationallife #multicultural #crosscultural #worldtraveler #globetrotter

🌺 We can get caught up in the hardship of expat life because that’s what takes a toll.

Today, let’s pause. Let’s get caught up in the beauty.

What’s been your beautiful moment since you moved abroad? I actually really want to know.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expatlife #beautifulmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lifeoverseas #livingabroad #expat

🥲 And for TCK moms, they’re not just a roadtrip and chocolate cookie recipe away. They’re thousands of miles away, across oceans and passport borders.

Breathe, lil’ mama, and give them back to Jesus. He sees and loves too.

Tear-jerker reel @chelseycarele

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expatmom #thirdculturekid #expatfamily #momlife #momlifebelike #momhumor #relatablemomreels #memories #missmykids #emptynest #worldtraveler #emptynesters

Howdy from South Africa with my bestie. 🌊

#raisingafamilyoverseas #southafrica #kzn #expatlife

😏 Checkered sweaters, skater pants, white t-shirts paired with long skirts- I’m loving the late 90’s comeback in fashion these days. Red Hot Chili Peppers and Weezer on the radio. Now if only Bath and Body would bring back Freesia lotion…

#raisingafsmilyoverseas #90sfashion #weezer #midlifemom #bathandbody #90skids

Deeply fulfilling moments from Telling Your Story for Impact Workshop One-on-Ones:

•Hearing the heartache and resilience of our social justice team as they work toward restoration and renewal of broken people and wounded families.

• Seeing undeniable passion in the eyes of women called to selfless service for neglected, abandoned, and abused babies placed in our El Roi Baby Home through social services. And seeing their delight pour out in victory stories of health restored and families reunited.

• Watching generational ministry fruit in stories starting with, “I’m a product of Wave of Hope and here’s my story”.

• Witnessing God’s provision of healing, transformation, jobs, and better futures for so many who braved their stage fright to tell me how they came to be here today.

• Being moved by young men who are dedicated to being the father figures they never had to at-risk youth.

• Learning that two young women are single-handedly changing the literacy rates of 380 kids every week where 80% of students cannot read for understanding.

Come visit us at @genesishopesouthafrica and see how God’s at work.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #storytelling #impact #genesishope #missions #socialjustice #education #southafrica #missionstrip

🌴 Grateful to Jesus for a decade of friendship with these lovelies and for adding new friends every year.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #kzn #girltime

Is your teen acting out or feeling frustrated? They may be running into a very common frustration for TCK teens- obstacles to growing in independence.

Growth toward greater independence is a very natural and important process during the tween and teen years. Safety concerns, living situations, and local laws may become barriers to their ability to grow in responsibility and freedom like their local and passport country peers.

Ask your teen how they feel about this. Create an open dialogue before it becomes a problem, or brainstorm solutions together if it already is.

💡 If local laws don’t permit them to get a job, could they start their own small business to make pocket money? In high school in Cameroon, I washed cars and started a healthy smoothie business for the missionaries in my area to gain some independence. My husband and his friend had a Saturday morning donut-making business.

💡 If they can’t get a driver’s license, could they learn to ride a scooter or gain more independence with the local transportation system? Many TCKs I know in Asia learn to ride scooters and those in Europe learn to navigate the metro.

💡 If they live in a walled in compound for security reasons, could they join a soccer team or dance lessons to get out on their own for a few hours each week? Some TCKs I know in Africa formed a running club so they could get outside together with safety in numbers in a big city.

👉 Drop a comment with creative things you’ve seen exists do to help their kids grow in independence.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expatmom #expatfamily #expatdad #expatkids #independence #lifeoverseas #teenmentalhealth #thirdculturekid

To say I’m deeply moved by what God is doing through these Genesis teams would be an understatement. What I thought would be a simple training session on how to tell your story has turned into a meaningful display of God’s glory as they tell testimony after testimony of his work along the coast.

I did not know that one woman following the Holy Spirit’s leading to share food with a child would shape the child’s entire family ethos when they entered adulthood.

Or that a cleaner would feel seen and loved for the first time when a visitor listened to
God’s voice and gave her a gift.

Or that a gym instructor’s kindness to a desperate young mom could be so pivotal that she is now a member at our church.

Or that kids could go from reviling someone so much to asking him to baptize them because God’s drastic change in his life was undeniable.

Or that a cantankerous man who nobody liked would become a beloved soul because of God’s transformative work.

Or that a young man would turn from drugs and alcohol because he found hope in Christ in our gyms.

If you come to @genesishopesouthafrica on a mission trip, make sure to ask these people their story. Everyone from our food service staff to our drivers to our gym instructors have something powerful to say and they can’t wait to share with you.

Thank you for meeting with me, Hospitality, Transportation, and Gyms! I look forward to hearing from the rest of the ministries tomorrow.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #genesishopesouthafrica #storytelling

✅ Clear signs you’re a TCK in a Midwest college. 🇿🇦

School culture code switching can be tricky, especially for younger TCKs.

“Am I supposed to look my teacher in the eye or not?”

“Is being assertive a ‘bad’ thing here?”

“Will I be punished or praised for completing work ahead of schedule?”

“Will I lose points for British spelling?”

And, 💯 true story, “Will I have to write the number 7 on the board 500 times during recess because I keep writing it the French way?”

As they get older, or at least gain more experience code switching, they’ll become more comfortable choosing THEIR unique style, come what may with praise or punishment, and it will probably be a gorgeous cultural blend of their globe trotting experiences.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #industrialdesign #iowastateuniversity #britishspelling #colour #thirdculturekid #tcklife #expatkids #expatfamily #crosscultural

It’s hard to balance to drive to hustle with being fully present during these precious years. That’s why we need reminders like this- time is limited and connection with our kids is the greatest reward.

🎙️ @drchatterjee
@sahilbloom

#raisingafamilyoverseas #intentionalparenting #expatfamily #herodad #momhero #connection #securerelationships

It’s been deeply meaningful to work with Genesis Hope South Africa to unpack their stories of how God is at work changing hard hearts, breaking harmful generational cycles, unleashing his power for good, and using the ministries here to serve our underserved community. Thank you, Jesus for these dedicated people.

Telling Your Story for Impact workshop had incredible participation from everyone and I’m excited to work one-on-one with each ministry!

@genesishopesouthafrica

#raisingafamilyoverseas #genesishope #storytelling #ministry #missions #southafrica

Could God Be Preparing TCKs to Meet the Deepest Needs of This Generation?
by Anna Danforth

excerpt from https://www.alifeoverseas.com/could-god-be-preparing-tcks-to-meet-the-deepest-needs-of-this-generation/

I believe today’s TCKs are uniquely positioned to minister to Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s challenges with a clarity of the gospel that is a direct result of their global upbringing. TCK Training’s 2024 survey of 1,643 adult TCKs representing 92 nationalities uncovered exciting information about the third culture kid experience. Their strengths align remarkably well with the skills needed to meet future challenges:

93% of adult TCKs report having a broad worldview — a crucial skill in addressing complex spiritual questions in an information-saturated generation.

83% see themselves as bridges between cultures — a critical capability in holding the core truth of scripture in tension with an increasingly polarized culture.

83% report compassion as a strength — a necessary trait as Gen Alpha is projected to be more deficient in meaningful face-to-face contact than previous generations.

82% report adaptability — an essential skill as Gen Z and Gen Alpha face complex issues with unprecedented access to information.

78% report open-mindedness — an important tool in an increasingly globalized world.

When I consider the reported strengths of TCKs, I can’t help but wonder if God is purposefully building Gen Z and Gen Alpha TCKs to minister to the wounds of their own generation. Is it possible that God will use their upbringing between cultures to bridge the gap and equip them with a profound clarity of the lived gospel? Might this powerfully shake the world and bring healing to our spiritual sickness?

But here’s the caveat. This only holds true when it’s done well.

Happy Easter from South Africa. He is risen and we are grateful! 🇿🇦

#raisingafamilyoverseas #easter2025 #southafrica #hiking #expatfamily

I wish we could have coffee and talk about that Easter week that changed my life. You’re never the same after spending months in a recovery program.

The eating disorder that had hollowed out my body by age 19 became the mental squatter I couldn’t evict. If you’ve ever numbed yourself to the brink of death, you know the stench of hell that soils everything real- your closest relationships, your self-understanding, your view of God, your joy and health, and anything resembling grace.

That Easter week, desperate for recovery, I sat down to do the prescribed daily journaling. What I wrote scared me. Because there were no feelings. No sense of wonder. No awe. Nothing. In burying the hard things, I’d buried it all. As I thought about Christ’s death and resurrection in my place, my emotional disconnect became a marked moment I never wanted to revisit.

God’s recovery plan for me was not a spontaneous miraculous event. It was one in which he carefully mended my life through months of specialized care. The miracle was his daily bread grace in the form of excellent staff, caring parents, the man who became my husband, and countless breakthroughs of seeing God’s love for me as his child covered by Christ where I had previously assigned his disapproval.

It’s been 24 years since that 19 year-old girl sat in a sterile clinic with a sterile heart. This week I’m reminded of the numbing that so strongly appeals to our common brokenness. I’m reminded to step back from the noise. To make space for my Life-Giver. And to withdraw to quiet places with him.

I’ll see you next week.

@biblesketches

#raisingafamilyoverseas #resurrection #easter #recovery

The “floating tribe” of TCKs was the 5th largest population on the planet in 2013. That number has only grown.

Parents- you are raising an incredibly powerful nation- one with skill sets and contributions the world no longer ignores. The game changers of tomorrow are the ones who build bridges, consider multiple perspectives, easily adapt, and express empathy. These are listed among the top characteristics of TCKs according to research released in 2025.

But these qualities don’t appear out of nowhere. It starts at home. It starts with healthy parent-child bonds.

Be part of raising tomorrow’s world changer.

👉 FOLLOW for expat parenting tips.

🎥 Watch Pico Iyer’s Ted Talk, “Where is Home?”

#raisingafamilyoverseas #thirdculturekids #expat #expatmom #expatdad #expatlife #adaptability #empathy #lifeoverseas #livingabroad #travelingfamily #worldschool #globalnomad

You know it’s a fruitful workshop when engagement is high, a few tears are shed, and people jump to volunteer. What a fantastic experience with the Genesis staff for my workshop, “Telling Your Story for Impact: Communicating with Donors and Partners”.

Praise Jesus- the work here is entirely his story.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #storytellingworkshop #storytelling #expatlife

These Red Flags Could Be Your Child’s Silent Cry for Help

Emotional distress in children doesn’t always scream-it often whispers through subtle changes. Look for warning signs like sudden shifts in behavior, withdrawal from family, unexplained emotional outbursts, trouble focusing, persistent tummy aches or digestive issues, excessive screen use as a way to numb or escape, academic struggles, or unexpected changes in friendships.

As parents, we may not always know what’s happening beneath the surface. We don’t see the hidden hurts-like the quiet loss pf saying goodbye to a best friend, the sting of a bully’s words, the confusion of getting lost in a crowded marketplace, or the sadness of a teacher overlooking their hard work. But these moments leave a mark.

TCKs are especially vulnerable. One of the most significant risks they face is feeling emotionally unsupported during difficult times. This isn’t usually intentional-often, it’s because we as parents are stretched thin. We’re adjusting, too-juggling our own transitions, stress, or exhaustion. But when we’re too distracted or overwhelmed, our kids can begin to carry their pain alone.

Connection is the antidote.

It starts with self-awareness: How do you handle your own stress? Do you numb out or disconnect?

Being present doesn’t mean being perfect. It means noticing, listening, and showing up even when it’s hard.
Because in the expat world where everything changes, connection with your child is their lifeline.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #familyconnection #connectedparenting #thirdculturekid #expatfamily #redflags #expatlife #expatmom #expatdad #distress #expatkids #genalpha #screenfreeparenting

Not gonna lie, I was taken aback the first time it happened. Then I realized this was the beautiful culmination of my child’s hard work to grow into an incredible individual and my hard work to create the safe space as a parent. The power of this transformation washed over me with an unstoppable force.

This was the reward I wanted but hadn’t expected.

It takes courage to call out a parent. It takes courage to accept confrontation. It takes courage to say, “I’m sorry” and it takes courage to forgive. But it makes the safest spaces and the strongest children with the healthiest outcomes later in life.

“I refuse to let my children think that they don’t deserve an apology and I never do anything wrong.” Thank you for sharing, @kaitlingreen_1

#raisingafamilyoverseas #safespace #connectedparenting #parentingteens #parentingtweens #mentalhealth #emotionalhealth #apologize #ownyourmistakes #proudparent #advocacy #securerelationships

🤩 Looking forward to this workshop tomorrow!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #ministry #missions #storytelling #storytellingworkshop #partnershipdevelopment #fundraising #tellyourstory

“Why am I losing followers?!”

This is probably why.

This is super helpful to know if you are living abroad with an entrepreneurial edge or you’re trying to share your missional work. Gaining followers and losing a few shortly after probably has nothing to do with your content and everything to do with their trashy approach to growing their own presence.

👋 Ciao to them and carry on posting your valuable content!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expatfamily #socialmediatips #contentcreator #igfollowers

This may be controversial, but this writer gives voice to the minority, and largely misunderstood, TCK experience as “hidden immigrants”. Parents of TCKs- read this.

“Many TCKs in universities struggle to balance manifesting the unseen pieces of their cultural backgrounds for fear of offending or being ‘canceled’ by people in the student body.”

👉 What are your thoughts?

https://amongworlds.interactionintl.org/navigating-cultural-appropriation-as-a-tck/

@interaction_international

#raisingafamilyoverseas #culturalappropriation #culturalappreciation #thirdculturekid #expatkids #expatfamily #growingupglobal #tcklife

Co-regulation is using your “calm” to calm another person’s nervous system. It’s the way we help each other feel safe and grounded—especially when things feel out of control.

We’ve come so far in understanding the crucial role of co-regulation with children as they develop skills to identify and calm their own emotions. But this need doesn’t disappear when we become adults. While an emotionally healthy person will learn to regulate themselves, we all still have times when we need one another, as this moving moment shows between Survivor contestants, Eva and Joe.

Earlier in the show, Eva took a step of bravery and identified Joe as a safe person to help her navigate a complex side of her autism- difficulty self-regulating.

Be brave like Eva.
Who is your “Joe”?

@joehunterucla @eva.erickson

#raisingafamilyoverseas #coregulation #survivor #compassion #relationalsafety #parenting #evaandjoe #emotionalintelligence #ineedyou #emotionalsafety #safeperson

With every cell of my being, I’m grateful to start my 43rd year exploring this green earth and discovering God’s goodness in the sweet, the hard, the ugly, and the sacred places. Thank you all for the birthday wishes. As I read each message, I thought of your face with a full heart.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #oribigorge #birthdaygirl #expatlife #lifeoverseas #livingabroad #travelsouthafrica #expatliving

😏 Sorta like Two Truths and a Lie-
Which chapter in Sam’s Roommate Disaster is 💯 fiction? There’s only one!

The rest are based on true stories. Ooooo, I can’t wait to hear what you think!

🐍 If you don’t own, time to get it!
https://a.co/d/9xl76G6

#raisingafamilyoverseas #tcklife #thirdculturekids #thirdculturekid #worldschool #expatlife #expatkids #expatfamily #expatbookclub #congo #middlegradebooks

🤫 If I told you there was a communication hack that will change your most difficult relationships, you probably wouldn’t believe me. A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed me either.

But instead of being triggered and reactive in difficult situations, it’s turned really hard conversations into opportunities to build trust, understanding, empathy, and intimacy. Even when the other person is triggered.

Check out the link in my bio. I can’t believe this miniseries is free.

👉If you’re left wanting more, DM me and I’ll recommend other workshops that dive deeper.

https://www.tcktraining.com/course/safe-spaces-miniseries

@tcktraining

#raisingafamilyoverseas #safespace #healthycommunication #empathy #buildtrust #triggered #communicationskills #raisingteens #traumainformed #activelistening #expatfamily

🌍 If you live abroad, STOP SCROLLING! Check out the goodies just for you in my bio!

•Workshops
•Courses
•Podcasts
•Books
•Articles
•Blog posts

All for your best expat journey!

#raisingafamilyoverseas #expatlife #livingabroad #lifeoverseas #contentcreators #thirdculturekid

If you haven’t been to a sporting event in your country of service, it’s time to change that.

#raisingafamilyoverseas #southafricarugby #sharksrugby #expatlife #livingabroad #lifeoverseas #getpluggedin

Want to keep the 🔥 alive? Figure out their love languages that aren’t in the book. 😏

The five love languages are:
👂 Words of affirmation.
🕰️ Quality time.
🤗 Physical touch.
🛠️ Acts of service.
🎁 Receiving gifts.

And evidently biltong in South Africa. 🇿🇦

#raisingafamilyoverseas #biltong #lovelanguage #lovelanguages #southafrica #keepthefireburning

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