The Unknown Traveler, Unknown Mother
When I travel with kids, even teenage kids, I am a mother. All mom. People see us and they think, “Mother and children.” We sit on the ground and play Spot It. We split burgers at airport restaurants....
View ArticleTo My Boarding School Birthday Girl
Dear Birthday Girl, We did the whole cake, ice cream, candles, and gifts party before we left the United States. But it wasn’t really your birthday that day. On your real birthday, your sister will...
View ArticleA Christmas Story about a Surprising Baby Named God (not that one)
Quick link: A Muslim, a Christian, and a Baby Named God This is a story close to my heart because it is about my first friend here, someone who was and remains exceedingly precious to me and my whole...
View ArticleWhen Twins are TWINS
First, they were TWINS. Then, they were twins. Now again, they are TWINS. I have two seniors this year, you guys. Two. Twins. That means 2/3 of my children are launching. I get to play the roles of...
View ArticleTips for Third Culture Kids Going on College Tours
So. You’re going to college. Maybe. Eventually. Somewhere. Where? To study what? Why? Who knows, maybe you do but maybe you don’t. In any case, you might tour some schools before making your final...
View ArticleTips for the Parents of Third Culture Kids Going on College Tours
So. You’re going to college. Oh wait, you aren’t. Your kid is. Except they aren’t a kid anymore. Oh dear. What on earth is happening to your life?! I mean, when did you get so old? I mean, this is...
View Article15 Things I Want Tell My Graduating Third Culture Kid Seniors
Five years ago I wrote a post, 15 Things I Want to Tell My Third Culture Kids. I’ve been writing my kids letters and telling them things for years. When they return to school every three months, they...
View ArticleDear Parents Launching Your Third Culture Kids
Hey you, yes you, the one who just relinquished your child’s passport into their own hands to carry for the rest of their life all by themselves. Yes you, the one who wonders how your child will...
View ArticleNot All Moms Cry at University Drop-Offs
Last week I dropped my oldest child off at University. Said goodbye. The next day I sent my husband and my youngest child back to Djibouti. Said goodbye. Yesterday I drove my second firstborn (twins)...
View ArticleWhen Do You Grieve? Pre, Post, or Present?
(this is a bit delayed, I have good reasons which I’ll keep to myself. In any case, I’m posting it now) When my twins went back to boarding school last April, I was a hot mess. A throwing myself on the...
View ArticleThe 12 Days of Djibouti Christmas
My family wrote and performed this song for our relatives in 2013 as part of our Pieh family talent show (and now, exactly 2 years later, this boy in the middle is the tallest in the family....
View Article4 Ways to Stay Content as an Expat Mom
I believe contentment has a lot more to do with our responses to circumstances than with those actual circumstances. I have seen families living without electricity or running water who ooze...
View ArticlePassages Through Pakistan
Marilyn Gardner, author of Between Worlds, published her second book this week. Passages Through Pakistan: an American Girl’s Journey of Faith is a beautifully rendered story of growing up between...
View ArticleHow Do I Pronounce Pieh?
My maiden name is Rachel Pieh. I write as Rachel Pieh Jones. Lots of people ask me how to pronounce Pieh. For math geeks: think 3.14 For bakers: think apple In other words, pi. Or pie. Not Pee-eh Not...
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