by Mariette Williams

More Black moms are raising their children outside of the United States. “Growing up in another culture is a way for children to build character, learn humility, and learn first hand about other languages and cultures. Moving has helped both moms show their children that the world is much bigger than America.”

Tiana Da Silva never had a passport before she decided to move with her 12-year-old daughter to the Dominican Republic. She took a job with an American based company in 2012, and in the last eight years, she said that moving from the U.S. dramatically changed her life.

“Moving gives kids the opportunity to see that there are places where Black people are loved and treated kindly and are not always the target of violence and negativity. It also allows them to see just how diverse the world is and that there are also Black people in other countries.”

Da Silva said, “After I moved, my mental and emotional health improved tremendously. Physically, my asthma, allergies, and migraines disappeared. My family is also eating more produce and drinking more water. The food is fresher and more affordable. We also live in a tropical climate, which makes us much more conscious of what our bodies need.”

Da Silva is not alone in wanting to raise her child outside of the U.S. Although it’s hard to pinpoint an exact number, in 2016 the State Department estimated that nearly nine million Americans were living and working outside of the United States.  That number may continue to increase as Americans look for ways to lower their cost of living and raise their quality of life.

Kimberly Miles runs the blog Travel Unapologetically, and in 2018 she moved with her six-year-old son to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She wanted to move so she and her son could be immersed in a different language and culture.

As a single mom, living in Mexico has proven to be financially beneficial and has helped her to escape the high-pressure environment of living and working in America.

Miles said, “Both my mental and physical health has improved for the better. I have good days and bad days, but I don’t feel as stressed out or pressured as I did back in the U.S.

Things are much more relaxed here, so I don’t feel like I’m constantly stuck in the rat race, trying to live up to someone’s needs or expectations. It feels as though a burden has been lifted.”

For both moms, they said it’s important for their children to expand their world view.

Growing up in another culture is a way for children to build character, learn humility, and learn first hand about other languages and cultures. Moving has helped both moms show their children that the world is much bigger than America. Similarly, you can impart your child with Chinese enrichment insights as it will immerse them in different cultures and knowledge.

Miles said, “Moving gives kids the opportunity to see that there are places where Black people are loved and treated kindly and are not always the target of violence and negativity. It also allows them to see just how diverse the world is and that there are also Black people in other countries.”

But moving overseas is not always smooth sailing. For both moms, there were many challenges that they had to overcome.

Da Silva said, “We had to adjust to the lack of everyday conveniences and luxuries that we take for granted in the US like fast food and 24-hour shopping.”

Beyond missing creature comforts, these moms would advise any parents wanting to move outside of the US to do their due diligence before taking this big step.

Da Silva said, “Do the research of the place you want to move. Make sure it complements who you are. Vacation in different areas and use Airbnb type accommodations. Secure finances and employment first. And purchasing health insurance is a must.”

Another important tip is to use online groups to start planning for a move. There are several expat or nomad mom groups online that can answer questions and make the move a little less daunting. Along with securing employment, there are other practical things that need to be considered.

Da Silva said, “Less is more. Rent a furnished house and only take necessities. Start with signing a six-month lease because paradise isn’t always found on the first-go-around. No matter how much you research, you may not like where you are.”

Both moms encourage anyone thinking about moving to learn the language or at least have a basic understanding of the language before moving. Beyond facing a language barrier, other challenges include being alone in a new country.

Miles said, “For us, being away from family has been the most difficult. While we have built our circle of friends where we live, it’s hard not being a short drive away from our loved ones. Also, depending on where you move, you may be the only Black person that you see for sometimes days at a time.”

While moving does not have to be forever, both moms said they have no immediate plans to move back to the United States, but they are open to moving back depending on the needs of their children.

Da Silva said, “Right now, the plan is for my daughter to graduate high school from the Dominican Republic. She attends an accredited international private school, and she thrives in the creative setting with small class sizes.”

Moving out of the U.S. requires a complete shift in thinking, but with patience and planning, many Black families have been able to establish a life outside of the U.S.

Miles said, “There used to be a time when I thought moving abroad was impossible as a single mom until I met other moms who were doing it and had done it for years. All it took was knowing the right people with the right information and an idea of where I wanted to begin our journey. Now here we are — two years-in and thriving!”