44. Raising Kids Abroad — Why I Chose Expat Life as a Mom

What does everyday life look like as an American mom raising kids in Norway? In this soulful episode of The WandHERwild Podcast, I share my 14-year expat journey that began in Kuwait and Angola and eventually led my family to Bergen.I open up about Norway’s 8 to 4 work culture that values balance and family time, my children’s Montessori-style forest school, and the surprising tradition of outdoor naps even in freezing weather. I also talk about the social systems that support families, such as public healthcare, tuition-free education, and government stipends that help balance higher taxes. Through my own experiences with pregnancy, including an emergency C-section, pediatric care, and staying connected to family across continents, I hope to give you a grounded glimpse into what it really means to raise a family. Norway is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world.In this episode, I discuss:* What 14 years of expat life taught me about motherhood and resilience* How Norway’s 8 to 4 work culture supports families* Why Montessori-inspired forest schools encourage independence* The reality of childcare costs and government support in Norway* My personal journey with public healthcare, including an emergency C-section* The unique parenting practices of outdoor naps and independent travel for kids✨ Read my Business Insider feature “I'm an American Raising My Kids in Norway” ✨ Grab A Virtual Coffee with Monica✨ Wand(HER)wild | Digital Events for Moms✨ Wanderwild Family Retreats | In Person RetreatsSubscribe to Wand(HER)wild’s Substack for bi-weekly newsletters or follow our podcast on Apple or follow our podcast on Spotify to never miss an episode. Leave a review to support our work. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wandherwild.substack.com