In the season finale, Hayley chats with her oldest sons about growing up in Luxembourg, and what it was like to leave home 3 years ago.
Moving to a new country is a significant undertaking, especially with children in tow. (Pro tip – don't move with a seven month old!) Of course, once you get here, you're tasked with successfully raising third culture kids – which is another challenge altogether.
Our family moved from Southern California to Luxembourg almost three years ago. For the season finale, I thought I'd interview my two oldest boys (who are still in primary school) to check in and hear their thoughts on how it started, how it's going, and what it's really like growing up in the Grand Duchy.
© Hayley Allam
The boys were only 6 and 4 when they moved here. My oldest was excited about the move from the start. He didn't love his school situation back home, and he didn't have any good friends he was leaving behind. For my middle, it was a different story. He did not want to move at all.
He had his best buds (who makes their best buds in preschool??) he was leaving behind. Plus he loved the endless pool and beach days in Southern California. And he was extremely close with his grandparents. We talked about what it was like for both of them, and especially how my middle had a very difficult time at first, but was able to overcome it.
The conversation very quickly moved on to travel. They (along with their mother) love the proximity that Luxembourg has to the rest of Europe. When I asked what they like about their life since moving here, taking the train to Paris and visiting the beaches in Greece were at the top of the list!
For most kids back home, those are dreams or once in a lifetime opportunities. I am glad that they appreciate how lucky they are to have this kind of access to the continent.
I was also really proud to hear that at the top of the list was making new friends from literally around the world. I asked if it's weird to have friends coming from such different backgrounds, and they both said no, not at all. This international camaraderie enriches their perspective and enhances their adaptability. That will only serve them as they grow up. Score one for mom and dad!
We also talk about school, sports and music opportunities in Luxembourg. My oldest very precociously mentions his current school is the only one he’s ever been to where they teach him things he doesn’t already know.
But it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows. We talk about how they started out in local school, but how they both couldn't really cope with the foreign languages. They both immediately call out adults smoking cigarettes all over the place as the #1 worst thing about Luxembourg. Second to the weather in the winter.
Both boys mention they feel equally at home both here and in California. That is a huge relief for me as a parent and something I was surprised to hear. Turns out, the kids are alright.
As always, please give it a listen and let me know what you think. This is the last episode until we come back for the fall. If there's a topic you want to see covered next season, or you're interested in being a guest on the show yourself, please email me at momlife@rtltoday.lu, or reach out on Instagram at @momlifeinluxembourg.
