Being an expat mom
Being an expat mom means you will probably live far away from your extended family and that you will probably miss them more than usual in times of giving birth. One of the most important things, at least for me was, when I became a mother is that I wish I had support from my own family members, but we live now in different countries and it is not always possible for them to come and visit.
Being an expat mom can be hard
Becoming a mom is hard by itself in many ways, but becoming a mom in a foreign country can be much harder for some women.
My husband is Turkish, so his family was right there with much-needed support and I am very thankful for it. My mother in law came to Istanbul, where we lived at a time, from Ankara and stayed with us for about 10 days, which was so great! I was a first-time mom and was clueless about most of the things concerning newborns. Also, my cousin came and stayed with us for some time, which was also a big relief for me, as there was someone who truly “knew” me 🙂  So here in Turkey, if you have that luck that your husband’s family is here, then you will not be left alone, for sure.
Accept the help
Mothers in a law, aunts, grandmothers in Turkey are usually willing and stay with you for some time and help you with the baby. You will be taken care of, if you let them, of course.
Then there is another type of expat moms. The ones where both mother and father are expats and without any extended family members in the country. I don’t have that experience, but can only assume it can be really hard!
Expat moms can help each other
Actually, that is one of the reasons why I started this blog. We can give support to each other, make food, help with a baby and be much-needed support for expat moms in those hard times. In today’s world, there is no need that anyone feels left alone. We are here for each other, we can make long lasting relationships and become a family for each other.
I truly hope more expat women will connect and make living in this wonderful country better.
Please, share your thoughts on this subject in the comment box bellow or contact me directly. How was your experience of becoming an expat mom? Was it hard, did your family come and help you or local people jumped in? You can write your own experience and share with other expats. For more info, go here.
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Hi Ana. I am not an Expat Mom. But I have sympathy with all Expat Moms.
When my beautiful son was born, I lived a mere 270km from my mom and that was bad enough for me that she was “so far away”.
I cannot even imagine what it would be like had she been in another country.
I think it’s awesome that you are reaching out to all those Expat Moms out there to offer help and support to them.
You are an angel, may you be blessed.
Hi Marlene, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I believe women worldwide can understand each other and help. Even when we’re so far away from our loved ones, we should never feel alone. I wish all the best for you, Marlene.
Hey Ana,
Although I am not an Expat Mother, I can sympathize with you. Being a mother a such a beautiful and terrifying thing at the same time. I couldn’t imagine being a new mom in a different country. That is pretty incredible. I am so glad that you had so much support from your husbands family. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to go through it alone. This post is going to be helpful to so many Expat mothers.
Hello Amanda, thank you for your lovely comment. I agree about motherhood being a beautiful and terrifying thing at the same time. Thank God we have good people around us to help us in those hard times. Wish yo all the best in your motherhood experience! 🙂
Hello Ana!
This is an amazing idea to start up! I have lived abroad half of my life or more and I definitely know what it is like living in a unknown territory at the start- you are not too sure how things work; and don´t have that sense of community as you once were settled down in your home country. Doing what you are doing now really brings the community to each other and knowing that there is always someone to help out.
I wish you the best of luck bringing out all those mothers together!
Dear Jeremiah, Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. I came to this idea, because I felt lonely many times in a new country and I don’t want anyone has to go through that again. A community can solve so many things, it is an important pillar that can help in many many things, so I hope this community will grow to become a real supporter for everyone who might need it. Glad you like the idea, thank you so much.
Dearest Ana, First of all, congratulations with this new project. I am so proud of you. As you know, I was an expat mom in Ankara. My two sons were born there. It was difficult since we were foreign but also because being parents is the hardest thing in the world for us. But life is great. We were in Ankara, were everybody was so warm and helpful. Starting with you!There are a lot of activities that moms can enjoy there. It is very important that expats join a community like this. Best wishes!!!
Dear Bea, Thank you so much for your support. I made this virtual place where women can find each other, whether they are moms, business women, single or married. It is always easier when you have a friend and someone to share good and bad moments with, just as we did 🙂 I hope this community will grow every day. Wish you all the happiness in your new home. Love,Ana.