Moving countries can create a lot of stress and confusion for you and your family. Financial stressors are a big part of that stress, changing cultural norms can cause your children to forget their origins too.
From the clothes they wear to the foods they want to eat, children may feel the pressure of wanting to fit in and choose to lose the traditions of their home country to do so. It can be painful to see that happen. We want you to know that it is completely normal to get angry at our children for forgetting where they come from. It's also normal to not be sure how to move forward without putting our children at risk of negatively rebelling.
Here are some tips on how to integrate the traditions of your home country and your new environment:
Food: Preparing our children's lunch can be complicated when they ask for foods that we are not used to. Many times we want to package leftovers as a way to shorten preparation time. However, our students may feel uncomfortable opening a full traditional meal, including tortillas! Instead, try preparing foods that can be transformed into simpler lunches. For example, if you make chicken, leave some aside so you can make a sandwich that they can take to school the next day. That way, you can still prepare your traditional home-cooked meals and also provide a nutritious lunch for your children.
Clothing: Depending on the school your child attends, brand name clothing may be important. This may be difficult to achieve depending on your financial capabilities. Try making thrift shopping an exciting event that you and your kids can do together! Thrift stores offer a wide variety of brands at a lower cost, making your child's wishes much more affordable. Shopping together can also be a great time to connect with your child and help you both adjust to your new surroundings.
Community Events: It's hard to make friends when you're an adult, and even harder when you move to a new country. When possible, attend community events specific to Hispanic communities. The month of September presents many opportunities to participate in local events that celebrate our Hispanic heritage. Attending these events can be a great way to continue teaching your children more about where you grew up and participate in activities you haven't seen since you moved.
It is difficult to adapt to our new environment. These tips can be helpful in ensuring that the relationship between you and your children remains healthy and happy.
