Episode takeaways:

• Define Your “Why” — Together: Susana Ortega highlights the importance of being crystal clear on your personal, familial, and professional reasons behind such big life decisions. It’s not enough to move because it’s required; when your “why” is aligned and discussed as a family, it becomes a pillar of resilience during times apart.
• Set Clear Timeframes & Reevaluate as Needed: Open-ended separations can take a toll. Susana’s method—setting boundaries on time apart and regularly reevaluating the arrangement—keeps everyone grounded and allows for easier transitions (and renegotiations) as circumstances change.
• Consistent Communication Anchors Connection: Whether it’s daily FaceTime calls during a morning dog walk or creative “matchmaking” to keep kids and a traveling parent close, finding practical ways to stay in touch can transform how families experience separation. These small habits foster ongoing emotional bonds, no matter the miles between.
• Silver Linings: Susana found an unexpected confidence in managing teenage years and family life solo, realizing she was much stronger than she had thought. Her children, meanwhile, grew up grounded, flexible, and always felt part of a close-knit family, no matter the distance.

Special Offer: Heading home for the holidays? Susana is offering personalized one-on-one sessions to help you prepare, handle tricky family dynamics, and return to your expat life feeling recharged and confident. Connect with her via Instagram at Abroad with Susanna.

About Susana:

Susana Ortega Roig was born in Barcelona in 1969. She lived, studied, and built a life there until a beautiful twist of fate changed everything. In 1997, she married Toru which opened the door to a global adventure that has shaped her for more than 28 years.

From Barcelona to Tokyo, Brussels, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Singapore, and back again, her life has been a rich tapestry of love, challenge, and discovery. Our two boys, Shoh (born in Tokyo) and Daigo (born in Frankfurt), grew up as true Third Culture Kids. And when Toru’s work sent him to São Paulo and later Los Angeles, they made the decision she would to stay in Amsterdam so their sons could finish school — a difficult chapter, but one they navigated with heart and resilience.

Her mission is to support expat spouses and mums who find themselves in a new country, feeling disconnected, lonely, or unsure where to begin.

For direct support, connect with Susana via her website abroadwithsusana.com and instagram @abroadwithsusana

Contact Rhoda: rhoda@amulticulturallife.com

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Buy the book: Holding the Fort Abroad

Your partner's job opportunity in another country seemed like an exciting idea, but lengthy work assignments mean you're holding down the family fort - alone.

OR Your partner is working and living in another country, and you feel like you are shouldering all the home responsibilities alone.

You may be wondering:

• How can we be a family when we're miles apart?
• Can I cope, alone, when troubles arise?

I believe there are answers to the above questions, and the answers start with you. In this context, it's more important than ever to invest in yourself, to care for yourself, to set your own goals and to watch yourself grow. Equally important is to nurture your relationship with your partner and learn to parent together.