In this episode I sit down with Clinical Health Psychologist Anita Balázs-Miklovicz to talk all about the challenges couples face when moving abroad.
Mom Life in Luxembourg is a new parenting podcast made for all English speaking parents here in Luxembourg. From crèches to crémant, we'll cover everything you need to know about raising kids and living your best life in the Grand Duchy.
Please note that even though the podcast is called Mom Life, dad’s are absolutely welcome!
Anita relocated to Luxembourg two years ago from Hungary with her husband, and recently had a baby. As an expat herself, she understands the challenges of moving and living abroad firsthand and she is passionate about helping others thrive in their expat journey.
Anita and I discuss why there are challenges, what to do with them if and when they arise, as well as how you can be proactive in your approach either before you make the big move, or after you’ve been here for a couple years but are noticing that you’re drifting apart.
This is kind of like a free couples therapy session in a quick 30 minute podcast in the privacy of your own earbuds. I highly recommend it if you’ve moved here as part of a couple as an investment in your relationship. Moving abroad is a huge undertaking.
You’re essentially turning your life upside down and inside out. You leave behind your social and familial support system and possibly (probably) one partner’s job or career too. Not to mention the logistics of getting up and running in a new country.
Things that were no big deal at home like knowing where the grocery store is, shopping for a car, looking for a handyman, navigating public transport, or automated phone systems become huge deals. It is a stressful situation all around, so it’s no wonder it can have an impact on a relationship!
Anita says problems often arise when the couple is so busy setting up their new life that they neglect the partnership, or if they chose to hide behind the day to day struggles rather than take a head on approach to where the relationship is heading.
She says the key to getting back on track is planning ahead and managing expectations, open communication, and active listening. We talk about how to set time aside to make your relationship a priority, when it’s time to consider couples counseling and when it’s time to call it quits on your partnership. She also discusses the guilt adult children can feel when leaving their parents behind and what to do about that as well.
Please give it a listen and let me know what you think. In addition to offering individual psychological counseling and coaching, Anita also works with couples, supporting them in building stronger, healthier relationships.
She is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and fostering well-being. To learn more about her services, visit www.anitapsychologist.lu and follow her on Instagram at @anitapsychologist_luxembourg.
If you have a topic you’d like to see covered, or you want to be a guest on the show, please email me at momlife@rtltoday.lu Or you can find me on social media @momlifeinluxembourg.
