Expat Mummy

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What’s it like raising a child in Turkey? Is a question I get asked daily.

I am a 26-year-old mummy married to a Turkish citizen and have a son aged 3 and a daughter just 9 months old. Being a parent in Turkey is the same as being a parent anywhere else in the world, it’s hard work but also the best job in the world.

Here are a few examples of what I find the hardest about Parenting in Turkey.

Everyone has an opinion on how you should bring up YOUR child.

  • Why is your baby drinking formula and not breastmilk?
  • Why hasn’t your child got socks on? ( Its 30℃)
  • Your Baby shouldn’t be outside before 40 days old
  • You shouldn’t sit your baby up like that it’s bad for the spine (winding position)

The hardest part for me has been the language barrier as my husband works 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. My son is with me 24/7 and speaks mainly in English. My Son has recently started nursery and is finding it hard because of the language, he can speak basics like numbers, animals and how to ask for a few things but he cannot have a full conversation in Turkish. Times like this is when I realise we are different. There will be hard times for us to get through but I have hope that one day my children will be bilingual in both Turkish and English.

Turkey also has a lot of benefits living here for example

  • Family is everything to Turkish people
  • Diet is much healthier, everything is organic
  • Freedom of outdoors for children
  • A lot of respect for family, friends and elders
  • Good Weather for most of the year

Turkey is certainly not perfect and there are many faults but as a whole, I feel Turkey is the best and most suitable place for us at the moment, my children will be brought up with good values and ethics.

Do any other mummies out there live abroad and have experiences to share? I would love to hear other stories from expat mummies.


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