Raising kids is an adventure in itself. When you’re parenting abroad, that adventure comes with a few extra twists, like figuring out how to keep your own traditions alive while helping your children feel at home in a new culture. You want them to know where they come from, but also to feel comfortable joining in at school, making friends, and integrating with the local community.
At Remitly, we know that balancing cultures can feel very personal and sometimes overwhelming. Many of us have been through the same things: teaching our kids our native language, celebrating holidays that our neighbors don’t recognize, or explaining to little ones why our family does things a bit differently. In this article, we’ll share tips to help you preserve your heritage, embrace local customs, and raise children who feel proud of their multicultural identity.
Keeping your culture alive while raising kids abroad
For kids growing up far from their home country, cultural preservation is more than just nostalgia. It’s what helps them feel grounded in their identity while navigating life in a new place.
Why cultural roots matter
Children who grow up with a strong sense of cultural identity tend to feel more secure in who they are. They understand where they come from, which gives them a sense of belonging even if they look or sound different from their peers. Holding onto traditions also strengthens their connection to extended family, like grandparents, cousins, and relatives who may live far away but remain part of their story.
Beyond family ties, cultural preservation gives kids tools for resilience. When they encounter new or unfamiliar situations, they can draw on the values, stories, and traditions you’ve shared to feel grounded. It’s a quiet confidence that comes from knowing they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
Simple ways to bring your culture into daily life
The good news is, cultural preservation doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be fun and meaningful for the whole family. Start with the traditions you already love. Celebrate festivals and holidays, even if it’s on a smaller scale than back home. A handful of sparklers on Diwali, a special meal on Eid, or decorating for Día de los Muertos can all become touchstones your kids look forward to.
Food is another powerful connector. Whether it’s the soup your grandmother always made or a dessert that reminds you of your childhood, cooking heritage meals together creates family bonds.
Stories, books, and music also bring culture to life in everyday moments. Reading bedtime stories in your native language, singing traditional songs on the way to school, or listening to music from back home on weekends makes your culture feel like part of your family’s daily rhythm.
Helping your kids feel at home in a new culture
Preserving your heritage is important, but so is making space for the customs of your new home. Luckily, raising multicultural children doesn’t have to be work: kids often pick up new things faster than we expect, whether it’s learning the local slang or jumping into school traditions.
Everyday ways to explore local life
One of the easiest ways to learn about US traditions is by stepping outside your front door. Community events like parades, school fairs, or neighborhood gatherings are great opportunities to experience how local families celebrate milestones. Attending activities together as a family can spark conversations afterward about what you saw, tasted, or learned.
Building connections through people
Connecting with local families through school, sports teams, or playdates is one of the most natural ways for your children to learn how things are done in their new community. Friendships create safe spaces to ask questions, share experiences, and see differences up close without judgment.
And remember, your kids are watching you, too. When they see you trying new foods at a festival, asking questions about local traditions, or joining in on a neighbor’s celebration, they’ll understand that respect and curiosity are part of how we adapt. That mindset makes it much easier for them to navigate cultural differences with confidence.
Balancing cultures: showing kids the best of both worlds
One of the biggest gifts you can give your children while parenting abroad is the ability to appreciate and celebrate more than one culture. Kids shouldn’t feel like they have to pick a side; they can grow up enjoying the richness of both. By blending traditions and encouraging curiosity, you’re raising them to be more adaptable and empathetic humans in a multicultural world.
Blending traditions under one roof
Balancing cultures in the home can take many forms. Maybe it looks like cooking spaghetti one night and tacos the next. Or decorating for both Christmas and Lunar New Year. What matters most isn’t perfection; it’s that your children see and feel both cultures represented in their daily lives.
Even small gestures go a long way. Try rotating music playlists—one weekend it’s your favorite songs from back home, the next it’s the local hits they hear on the radio. Movie nights can be the same way: a beloved classic from your culture paired with something popular in the US.
Talking openly about differences
Kids are naturally curious, and they notice differences early on. They might ask you why their lunch looks different at school, or why their classmates don’t celebrate the same holidays. Instead of letting them feel confused or singled out, make space for those conversations at home.
Talk about why your family celebrates certain traditions or holds particular values. Share stories from your own childhood that connect those customs to real experiences. This gives kids the language to explain their background proudly when friends ask.
All over the US, families are finding creative ways to blend cultures in ways that feel authentic—whether that means celebrating both Thanksgiving and Diwali side by side, or making tamales for Christmas then joining in with the local holiday parade.
Helping kids thrive in two languages
Language is more than just words. It’s how kids connect to their family, their roots, and the community around them. For children growing up abroad, knowing both their heritage language and the local tongue can open doors to belonging in both worlds. It’s not always easy to juggle, but it’s one of the most valuable gifts you can pass on.
Why bilingualism is such a superpower
Being bilingual involves living in two cultures at once. Kids who grow up bilingual can chat with grandparents back home on video calls, switch effortlessly between friends at school, and often develop sharper problem-solving and memory skills along the way. Most importantly, it helps them feel proud of who they are, rather than feeling like they have to choose one identity over the other.
Making bilingual parenting part of daily life
The secret to raising bilingual kids is to be consistent. Speak your heritage language at home—even if your kids answer back in English sometimes, they’re still absorbing what you say. Bedtime stories, songs in the car, or Saturday morning cartoons in both languages all add up. If you have access to bilingual schools or after-school programs, that extra reinforcement can make a big difference.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. What matters most is that your children see both languages as a natural part of daily life—something to enjoy, not just something to study. Over time, they’ll build the confidence to move between languages with ease.
Creating a community and leading by example
Parenting abroad can feel overwhelming at times, but you don’t have to go through it on your own. Building a supportive network with local friends or fellow expats gives you a sense of belonging.
Just as important as community is the example you set at home. Kids notice everything, and the way you navigate cultural differences teaches them how to do the same.
Finding your people
In most US cities, there are countless ways to connect with families who share similar experiences. Parenting groups, cultural associations, or even casual meetups can give you a support system you didn’t know you needed.
And if you don’t see the community you want, you could try to create it. Hosting a meal where everyone brings a dish from their culture, or inviting neighbors to join a holiday celebration, is a fun way to foster friendships and build bridges. Kids thrive when they see diversity reflected in their community.
Modeling the balance at home
Children learn from what you do. If you show patience, curiosity, and openness when navigating differences, they’ll mirror those behaviors. That might look like talking positively about both cultures rather than elevating one over the other, or calmly explaining the differences in discipline, school expectations, or holiday traditions.
It’s also okay to share your own struggles. Letting your kids know that you sometimes feel caught between cultures can be powerful. It teaches them that it’s normal to feel conflicted, and that finding balance is an ongoing process.
By modeling respect and curiosity, you give your kids a powerful message: being multicultural isn’t a challenge to overcome, it’s a strength. When they see you embracing both your roots and your new surroundings, they’ll feel more confident doing the same.
Raising multicultural children
Balancing your own culture with local customs isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of parenting abroad. Children raised in multicultural households grow up with empathy, adaptability, and a global perspective.
If you’re just starting this journey, begin small: choose one family tradition to preserve and one local custom to embrace this month. Over time, you’ll build a family culture that’s uniquely your own.
FAQs
What are the benefits of teaching your child about your cultural heritage?
Cultural preservation when living abroad helps children gain a sense of identity, belonging, and pride in their heritage. It also helps them connect with extended family and broadens their worldview.
How can I learn about local customs in a new country?
Start by attending community events, engaging with local families, or reading about the history and traditions of the US. Joining multicultural parenting groups can also provide valuable insights.
How do I handle cultural clashes as a parent abroad?
Raising multicultural children means approaching cultural clashes with respect and curiosity. Use them as opportunities for open conversations with your children, helping them understand different perspectives.
How can my children become fluent in both our heritage language and the local language?
Introduce your heritage language at home through daily conversations, books, or movies. At the same time, encourage local language proficiency through support at school or one-on-one tutoring.
Can celebrating local customs dilute my own cultural identity?
Not at all. Embracing local customs enriches your life and can be perfectly compatible with keeping your traditions alive. It’s about balancing cultures in a way that works for your family.