If your kid decided to become an expat...

[Wanderista]

I'll definitely try to support my child in whatever they want to do. I have changed my mind a few times about long term plans based on how life circumstances played out. I was an exchange student when young like most of the people here have mentioned. Then I lived abroad for years while studying. I thought that I would stay abroad but then for a number of reasons, I moved back to the US. I then started to think that I would stay in the US indefinitely.

I was dating an American for several years and I was strongly considering moving with him to another American city for good. However, our relationship collapsed and then I became involved with SO and suddenly Europe came back into my life as I learned all about an area of European culture that I was unfamiliar with. I could stay in the US or more likely go abroad which is what he wants too. I'm a flexible person and as long as I can go somewhere that my career can thrive and be with the person I love, I will be happy.

So, I am saying that I have gone back and forth about my future as life changed. My mom has been really supportive over all. She can be a little difficult at times but I love her and she totally "gets" me. My dad and I are just not close for a number of reasons. He has always wanted to dictate my life, he's the opposite of the kind of parent I hope to be ... someone who loves their child unconditionally especially when that child is just acting in honest, good faith (I'm not a criminal, I just chose a different life path than he wanted). My dad is definitely someone with a very narrow view of how people should live their lives and I do not think he is a happy person. None of my extended family travels much. They are very "typically American". I get excited when I find out that someone has actually gone to the Caribbean on vacation because seriously, they barely leave the area they are from.

So eh, that's a long answer but I will love my child whether they decide to go abroad a lot or to settle in one city. I know that I love to travel and odds are that I may be moving around as much as they do. Also, I agree that it would give me a reason to travel and explore where they go. I'd just want them to be happy and for us to stay emotionally close even if physically we aren't always.

[dottieganda]

My son will have the ability to have dual Australian and American citizenship, as will any future children DH and I have (I plan on keeping my citizenship). DH's family is far too cosmopolitan for my son to stay in one place. His cousins are half-Filipino, one of his aunts is Japanese, and he has an American mum . Also, DH speaks incredibly beautiful, fluent Italian, and I hope that my son will do the same.

I want him to be able to travel, to live where he wants, but to know that he always has a place with us if he needs it.

[idris]

We are in the process of trying to move overseas. I am a teacher, and I have been trying to get overseas. So far those attempts haven't been successful. It has been my dream to go abroad. My oldest is completely excited about the idea of going somewhere different and learning a new language.
My parents are devastated. My mom can't fly due to medical issues. They are this way mostly because of the grandchildren. I'm the only one with kids in my family so far. They see our children on a daily basis. My sister studied abroad for 6 months at one point. She traveled all over Europe during that time. My parents had little issue with that. They sent her and paid for EVERYTHING. I guess the main issue for us is the kids.
Now if it were my kids, I think I would be sad they wouldn't be immediately reachable, but I also think it's such a great opportunity.