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Staff 5 Minutes for Books reviewer Elizabeth is here to share her thoughts on a new book that hits close to home. She received a copy of the book to facilitate her review.
When I was pregnant with twins and had a toddler still under two, my husband and I made a very big decision–to move our family overseas. We went to a place called Mauritania to work with a humanitarian organization in the area of education, and it completely changed our lives and the lives of our children–who were 4 and 5 by the time we actually left. Our family has only lived in 4 countries, although we might rival Global Mom author Melissa Dalton-Bradford for number of addresses. Reading this book plunged me so deeply into my own memories that in some ways, it’s difficult to have the distance to review it. However, although our lives are similar in many ways, they differ in many others.
One thing I loved and admired about this family was how deeply they were able to integrate themselves, again and again, into local culture. This takes a lot of effort, I know, but since we shared a similar goal in our family, I really appreciated their level of success. I groaned in sympathy as Melissa crouched down to learn vocabulary from her young children’s friends, who suspected her of lacking intelligence. I laughed inwardly (with her, not at her) as she began to deal with the incredible amazing amounts of paperwork needed to do anything in France. And I wept with her as she entered a new land where she never wanted to go–the land of grief and loss, after the death of their oldest son in a water accident when he was just 18 and starting college. (Given that’s the exact age of my oldest, that one hit me hard. I have lost both my parents so I know parts of this landscape, but I’m thankful that I couldn’t relate beyond that).
Global Mom is ordered around a table, a langbord or long farm table. When the family lived in Norway, they selected a live pine and had it custom made for them, and it comes to tell the stories of their lives. (We have a chair like this in our family) The book opens with the comic efforts of a group of French workmen to get this enormous 12-seater into an upper-floor Parisian apartment window with a pulley system, and throughout the book the table plays a starring role in family life, from gatherings of friends for impromptu evenings, to homework sessions in new languages, to the author sitting at her laptop writing the book in my hands.
Melissa and her husband Randall took their 2 toddlers first to Norway, where they encountered a country of punishing cold and people that planned their lives around the weather. Melissa plunges in with both feet (after a few days spent hiding out and watching), putting her toddlers in a barnepark, a sort of preschool that mostly involved letting children play outside in sub-freezing weather in a sort of free-for-all. 5 years later they moved to France, where her two oldest went to an American school and her toddler, born in Norway, began learning the joys of French school life, from the manners expected during 4-course lunches at the resto scolaire, to the exacting penmanship expected of 4 year olds. After a year in the US, during which time they bought and renovated a house, it was back to France–this time to Paris, with a new toddler in tow (he was born in France the first time round). After Paris it was Munich for 2 years, then Singapore, then Switzerland, where the book ends but who knows where the family has ended up by now?
The reason for their many moves is Randall’s job, which also has him traveling for months out of the year, leaving Melissa on her own to deal with culture shock and joys. The calls for a new job often seem to come in October, so several times Randall moves and then the family follows him the next summer.
Global Mom gives us real glimpses in how other cultures approach life, whether that be through her son’s participation in a Norwegian parade, where the King and Queen waved at him, which sparked a discussion on what it means to be Norwegian and one’s view of oneself as a part of a larger whole; or her discussion with other French mothers on topics such as beauty or natural childbirth or the kind and colour of shoes one’s toddler should be allowed to wear to matranelle; or her realization after being confronted with real poverty in East Asia that to be white and speak English is to have superpower, yet to feel a real connection and sisterhood with the poorest of the poor.
Melissa Dalton-Bradford is a thoughtful, intelligent writer, and I think that you can enjoy her book regardless of whether or not your life has included more than its fair share of new tongues and an abundance of cardboard boxes. And if it has, if like me you understand exactly how much a new place can become home and simultaneously feel joy and pain at the thought of another move, you’re going to love this one.
Win it!
One of you will win a copy of this book. Just use the rafflecopter below, starting off by leaving a comment telling us “Have you ever lived overseas? Would you want to?”
Sue Hull says
I’ve never lived anywhere but California. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else but here. My daughter went to London for 10 days with her fiance and his family. She said it was beautiful in England and London but she was happy to be home. This book sounds like a great read. Thank you 🙂
Nancy says
Although I have traveled overseas, I’ve never lived there. It would be an adventure!
Melissa B. says
I have never lived overseas. But, if I did, it would have to be somewhere that speaks English.
Kerrie Mayans says
I have never lived overseas but think it would be a fun adventure to do so!
Daniel M says
never have and don’t want to
Debbie R says
I’ve never lived overseas but I think I would love it.
jennifer aikens says
never but would love to try it!
Jessica T says
I lived in London for 4 months before I met my husband
Laura says
Yes, I lived in the West Bank for two years and I loved it! I hope I can live abroad again if I have the chance.
Vicki Esh says
I have lived overseas as a young college student, but never with my family. That would be another challenge altogether, I’m sure!
Wehaf says
I have never lived abroad but I would absolutely love to!
Christine Derrel says
Wow, this looks like a cool book!!!! Way to go and good luck to the winner!!!
Brandy W. says
I never have but sometimes I wish I did. But I know how scary & dangerous it would be and I’m not ready for that!!
Grant Emery says
I have lived in France twice. The first time is when I met hte author.
Emmilie Whitlock says
I have never lived overseas, but hope to one day. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to add my own international parenting tips someday.
linda says
yes. loved it. would certainly do it agaiin. samoa and hawaii were the best!
linda says
yes. several times. would certainly do it again. samoa and hawaii were the best.
Jennifer says
Currently living in Ethiopia with three kids. Always interested in other moms that are as crazy as me!
marilyn Lisenbee says
Sounds like a great book.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Marilyn
Louise S. says
Being that my husband was raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, his San Francisco office moved us to Rio de Janeiro when my two girls were ages 2 1/2 and 6 months. I learned Portuguese fairly soon, because I was already fluent in French and because I just imitated what he would say to others in Portuguese.
Within a few months I could understand why MANY people there were poor — the country has a constitution similar to that of the U.S., but they have no “anti-trust” laws so powerful cabals control their economic lives.
We stayed there about 4 years (through 2 more pregnancies) and then moved to Detroit, Michigan, “which is the blackest country this side of Johannesburg.”
Sabine says
Unfortunately I never did, but I would love to !
Malia says
Yes! I’ve lived overseas where I met Melissa! Would love to live abroad again.
Rebecca says
I have lived overseas and loved it! I would do it again if given the opportunity!
Melissa Dalton-Bradford says
Dear Jennifer-
Sitting at my farm table, laptop perched on my knees, I’ve read your beautiful review of Global Mom with tears in my eyes and a smile crackling across my face!
What a precise and generous reader (and writer) you are, and what an honor to have had you trace these pages. You have understood what I’ve tried to share, capturing both the big picture as well as the subtleties I wanted to convey.
So thank you, Jennifer. Wish I could meet you in person. I have a feeling we’d have some great war stories to swap.
–Melissa
Julie says
I’ve never lived overseas, but I’ve traveled to Europe a few times. I would love to move to England if I had a chance!
Idaho Jill says
I have never lived overseas but I would LOVE to (if I had money!). We have researched different countries and would love to move to Chile, but don’t have the finances for it at this point. Maybe someday!
Caroline B says
I have not, but I would love to live in Paris.
Linda Kish says
I have never lived overseas and I really don’t think I would want to either.
riTa says
Wow! Amazing, a book about our lives as MKs or TCKs.
i grew up in another country and later had my own missionary career, even lived on a ship for five years with husband and three children going around SA three times and Europe twice.
LaRae says
I’ve never lived overseas. I have visited Germany. I would love to live overseas for a season!
Jana says
I grew up in Papua New Guinea.
Anne says
I have never lived overseas. Italy would be lovely and France.
Liza Glick says
I never have but I would love to live in France or Italy!
betty says
I’ve never lived overseas but I think I would love it.
Sue says
I have never lived overseas. Only been out of the country if you count Canada!
Sue says
Sounds like an interesting book!