Moving Overseas With Kids: New Routines, Isolation & Language Barriers
Moving to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with our two young children has been a big move for our family. As we planned moving overseas with kids, we anticipated the excitement of new experiences and the chance to immerse ourselves in a new country and culture. But our first two weeks in Kinshasa have been surreal in ways we didn’t quite expect. Our early days here have been humbling, with challenges that remind us that we’re in an unfamiliar place, still finding our footing.
Adjusting to Life in a Hotel
For our first two weeks, our “home” has been a hotel in Kinshasa. While it’s comfortable and secure, staying here feels isolating, especially with young children who are used to more space and outdoor play. Kinshasa isn’t known for its walkability, and there are limited places within reach for a casual stroll or a safe playground. We’re realizing that adapting to a new city, especially one with different infrastructure than we’re used to, requires patience and flexibility.
Without the freedom to explore easily, our days have been spent mostly inside, balancing work and family time in close quarters. With no clear place to take the kids to burn off energy, we’ve had to get creative. For instance, we walked up and down the 9 flights of stairs simply to burn off some energy and keep my 5 year old from bouncing off the walls (there was an extreme amount of bouncing on beds too!).
Navigating Language Barriers in a New City
Another challenge we’re facing is the language barrier. Although we’ve studied some French, we’re quickly realizing that language learning takes time, especially when trying to communicate in real-life situations. Simple interactions, like talking to hotel staff or figuring out how to get around, are more complicated than we anticipated. Not being able to communicate fully adds a layer of confusion and sometimes even frustration. For instance, at lunch the other day, even with Google translate and D’s 6 months of French language training, we were simply baffled at what the waiter was asking us. He proceeded to fully mime something to do with the salt shaker, but we still left confused.
The Complexity of Kinshasa Traffic and Transportation
One of the first things we noticed is Kinshasa’s is the intense traffic. You can read about our 5 year old’s first impressions of the traffic here. Roads are packed with cars, taxis, and motorcycles, creating an environment that feels chaotic at times. Taxis are the approved mode of transportation here, but figuring out how to navigate them feels daunting, especially when they sometimes take an hour to arrive and communication barriers are plenty. We’re learning that traffic patterns and driving customs are very different (basically there are no rules to driving) and it will take some time to feel confident about getting around.
Feeling Isolated but Looking Forward to Stability
Living in a temporary space, there’s an undeniable feeling of being in limbo. We’re living out of suitcases, waiting to transition into a home where we can settle down and make a space for our family. For now, we’re trying to stay grounded, finding comfort in the small routines we can control—like family meals together or playing simple games in the hotel room.
Moving overseas with kids has been humbling and the isolation of not having familiar connections around makes it easy to feel unsure of ourselves. But we’re hopeful that these feelings are temporary. We know that once we’re in a home of our own and have established routines, we’ll start feeling a bit more settled.
Moving Overseas with Kids: Grace in this Transition
In our first two weeks here, we’re learning an important lesson: adjusting to life abroad is a process that takes time and grace. Each day brings small steps toward feeling more comfortable here, but it’s a slow, gradual journey.
Our goals for now are simple—embrace the small wins, laugh at our language mishaps, and take things one day at a time. There’s a lot we don’t know yet, and that’s okay. We’re here to learn, to grow, and to appreciate the unique experience of living in the Congo.
These two weeks living overseas with young children have been humbling, challenging, and, at times, overwhelming. As we adjust, we’re finding that giving ourselves patience and grace is the best way forward. We’re looking forward to sharing more about our journey, our discoveries, and how we make Kinshasa feel like home.
If you’re a family living abroad or have tips on adjusting to a new culture, we’d love to hear from you! Share your insights or advice in the comments—we’re grateful for all the encouragement as we settle into this new chapter.
