Parenting As An Expat

A new book looks at the challenges of raising kids in a foreign country.

- Melissa Steve

  Let’s face it: parenting is tough, whatever your situation. There’s a constant need to make complex judgement calls about what is best for your child. Being an expat adds another dimension to that equation. International school psychologist DR JEffDEVENS understands this as an expat parent himself, and has drawn on his professional and personal experiences to write a book on the subject.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m originally from the US but have spent most of my adulthood overseas; we’ve lived in China, Saudi Arabia and, most recently, Singapore. For the past 22 years, I’ve worked in international education as a school psychologist, counsellor and classroom educator. In 2006, I completed a PhD in School Psychology – my dissertation research focused on depression rates among Third Culture Kids (TCKs). This past December, I published my first book, entitled A Parent’s Guide to Raising Kids Overseas. My wife Nanette and I have two Third Culture Kids (TCKs), Cylas (age 13) and Cora (9). We’re loving the parenting journey!

What led you to write your book?

Very little has been written about the day-to-day experiences parents face when raising kids abroad. My aim in writing this book is to provide real-life, “in the trenches” experiences I’ve encountered during my time working internationally with students and families. I wanted to write something that was practical, authentic and reflective of the realities parents will encounter when raising kids overseas.