Life as an Expat Family in Germany during a Global Pandemic
2020 - what a year, eh? A global pandemic is not easy on anyone, but it posed some interested struggles on expat families.
Expat families typically have to rely on each other more than others - that is the nature of being an expat. You are an outsider navigating an unknown country so your spouse/family become even more important.
But this year of being in literal lockdown / quarantine in our tiny Nuremberg apartment away from relatives definitely made us stronger (and crazier) as a family.
15 Months of Parental Leave as an Expat in Germany: How to Make the Most of Every Month
Living in Germany as an expat can sometimes feel.. lonely… and then spending a year out of work on maternity leave can feel even more alienating. Don’t get me wrong - I am grateful for my year of maternity leave. But - I loved my job, I loved working with my team, I loved working out at Crossfit every morning. And all of that came to a halt, and I was home alone every day with my (adorable) little baby girl.
Between Andrew and I, I am the more ‘social-needy’ one in the relationship. I love being around people, making new friends & working on projects in a group. So I was honestly worried that I would be jealous and spiteful when Andrew would come home from work telling me about his day.
So here are some of the ways I navigated through those fears, and made some of the most amazing memories (and friends) on that year off.
The Pros & Cons of a Road Trip Through Europe with a Baby
With our combined parental leave we decided to do a 23 day road trip through Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia & Austria.
Yes, a 23 day road trip with a 3 month old.
You have no idea how many times people told us “you are so BRAVE for traveling with an infant!”, and I am here to tell you… this was the BEST time to travel with a baby!
Obviously traveling with a baby will never be as easy as traveling before having one, but that should never stop you from continuing to travel and experiencing the world!
Here are some pros & cons to road tripping through Europe with a baby!