10. Redefining Home: A Globally Mobile Life with Jessica Wright

Join us as we navigate the “globally mobile” experience with my dear friend, Jessica Wright. In this enlightening discussion, Jessica, a parent coach, professional editor, and spouse to an American diplomat, shares her profound connection to the world of third culture kids (TCKs) and adults (ATCKs), reflecting on the complex blend of identities these individuals often possess. Our conversation unpacks the challenges and nuances of raising a family in constant motion, the cultural juggling act of fitting in, and the profound search for belonging that defines the TCK journey.

Jessica opens up about the subtleties of parenting adolescents in a globally mobile lifestyle. We touch upon the varying cultural norms that shape milestones of independence, from driving to work, and the shifts in identity that come with such a life. Jessica's personal stories of assimilation and re-acclimation bring to light the different markers of identity and the profound sense of 'home' that can be felt when one has roots in many places. We also delve into the complexities of ensuring safety and stability in diverse environments, highlighting the unique parenting challenges and decisions faced by families like hers.

Jessica's journey, though personal, resonates universally with anyone who's faced the emotional rollercoaster of change, whether through parenting abroad or embarking on new ventures. Her path to becoming a coach, while balancing the demands of a diplomatic life, offers inspiration and guidance for those navigating similar paths.

Jessica is an internationally certified parent coach and professional editor with a background in nonprofit management and youth development. She is a third culture kid (TCK) and fluent Arabic speaker, a graduate of Princeton University, and has been co-parenting with her US diplomat husband of their globally mobile family for the past seventeen years in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. She has former experience as a college admissions coach for high school students, and has served on the boards of international schools in the countries where her family has lived, giving her a strong understanding of the particular challenges and opportunities of educating and parenting children in international settings. Jessica founded Equilibrium Parent Coaching to support parents of tweens and teens to resolve challenges and form positive and connected relationships with their adolescent children.

Equilibrium Parent Coaching - www.equilibriumparentcoaching.com
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Lisa’s life coaching website: Lisamcnees.com 

Highlights

• Jessica explains the term "Third Culture Kid" (TCK) and how she is now raising her own TCK children.
• Jessica shares her curiosity about other people and experiences, having lived in many different cultures and constantly adapting to new environments.
• Jessica discusses challenges faced by globally mobile families, including cultural identity and assimilation.
• Parents of globally mobile families grapple with balancing personal ambitions and children's well-being.
• Jessica discusses the challenges of raising a globally mobile family, including managing the emotional impact of constant transitions on children.
• Jessica reflects on her own learning process, recognizing the need for patience and understanding in navigating cultural differences and finding a sense of equilibrium in a new environment.