Raising Global Citizens: How to Address the Question “Where Is Home?”

For many families who live abroad, travel frequently, or relocate often, the concept of “home” can feel fluid, complicated, and even elusive. This is especially true when raising global citizens. For families who travel frequently, or relocate often, the concept of “home” can feel fluid, complicated, and even elusive. This is especially true when raising global citizens.

Raising children in a globally mobile lifestyle—commonly referred to as Third Culture Kids (TCKs)—have a unique perspective on the concept of home. Children like yours, who have already lived in multiple states and countries by their first birthday, often find themselves grappling with questions like, “Where am I from?” or “What is home?”

As parents, helping your children understand and define their own sense of belonging while navigating the complexities of a nomadic life is crucial. Drawing from early childhood development principles, this article offers insights into the challenges and opportunities of raising global citizens and provides practical strategies to guide your child through these conversations.

The Challenge of Connection & Belonging for Global Families

In childhood, the concept of “home” often provides a sense of stability, comfort, and identity. But for children growing up in globally mobile families, home may be less about a physical place and more about the relationships, memories, and experiences they collect along the way.

This ambiguity can sometimes leave children feeling unsettled or unsure how to answer questions like, “Where are you from?” These feelings may emerge at surprising times, such as during school introductions, family gatherings, or when meeting new friends.

For parents, the goal isn’t necessarily to provide a single, definitive answer but to help your child feel secure and confident in their unique story. This means embracing the fluidity of “home” and celebrating its many dimensions and definitions.

A young boy walks down an airport runway, wearing a green backpack. Raising global citizens means frequent travel and conversations around what is home. — C walks down onto an airplane with such confidence. He’s been traveling often since he was just a few months old.

Early Learning Perspectives on “Home” and Identity

From an early learning perspective, children begin forming their sense of identity through consistent experiences and relationships. Stability doesn’t always have to come from a permanent address; it can also be built through routines, connections with loved ones, and a shared family narrative.

Young children thrive when they feel secure in their attachments to caregivers. For globally mobile families, this means emphasizing the relational aspect of home rather than the geographical one. Parents can create a sense of stability by focusing on traditions, routines, and the stories that bind their family together.

Practical Strategies for Parents to Navigate “Where Is Home?”

Here are several ways you can help your child develop a strong sense of self and belonging, no matter where your family’s journey takes you.

1. Focus on Relationships, Not Geography

Rather than associating home with a physical location, emphasize the idea that home is where your family is together. This perspective fosters emotional stability and helps children feel secure even during frequent moves.

Use language like, “Home is wherever we’re all together,” to reinforce the relational aspect of belonging.
Celebrate the unique people your child has met and the connections they’ve made in different places.
Activity Idea: Create a family map or collage with pictures of loved ones from various locations. Highlight the people, not just the places, that make each spot meaningful.

2. Build Traditions That Travel with You

Establishing family rituals or routines that remain consistent no matter where you are can provide a sense of continuity and familiarity, which helps children feel grounded and can help families grow closer.

Examples include Sunday pancake breakfasts, bedtime stories, or a “first day in a new house” scavenger hunt.
These rituals offer a comforting thread of consistency amidst change.
Pro Tip: Involve your children in selecting or maintaining these traditions to deepen their connection.

3. Help Your Child Tell Their Story

Encourage your child to see their global upbringing as an exciting, unique narrative. By framing their experiences as a story, they’ll feel empowered and proud of their journey.

Help them craft a simple explanation for when people ask, “Where are you from?” For example: “I’ve lived in a lot of places! My family moves often, but I love that I get to experience different countries.”
Activity Idea: Create a “My Story” book with your child. Include photos, drawings, and descriptions of the places you’ve lived. Let them add to it as they grow.

4. Celebrate the Concept of a “Global Citizen”

Introduce your child to the idea that they belong to the world and can find home wherever they go. Celebrate their adaptability and unique worldview.

Read books or share stories about other global citizens, both fictional and real, to normalize their experience.
Recommended Books:
- This Is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe
- My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald
- Third Culture Kids by Ruth E. Van Reken, David C. Pollock, Michael V. Pollock (I’m currently reading this one)
Encourage them to learn simple phrases in the local language to help them feel connected to their new environment.
Connect with the greater global community through Facebook groups, expat groups and more.

5. Encourage Open Conversations About Emotions

Recognize that transitions and relocations can bring up a mix of emotions, from excitement to sadness. Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings.

Let your child express feelings of loss or confusion when leaving a place behind. Validate their emotions with statements like, “It’s okay to miss [place/person], and it’s also okay to love where we are now.”
Teach them coping strategies like journaling, drawing, or talking with a trusted adult.

A young boy in a green shirt stares at a fountain with green water. He is gazing at a fountain at Buda Castle, connecting to local culture and history is an important aspect of raising global citizens. — Gazing at a fountain at Buda Castle, connecting to local culture and history is an important aspect of raising global citizens.

Using Travel and Change as Opportunities for Growth

Globally mobile children often develop unique traits like adaptability, resilience, and cultural empathy. By focusing on these strengths, you can help your child view their lifestyle as a gift rather than a challenge.

Developing Resilience

Teach coping skills for managing change, such as deep breathing exercises, storytelling, or creating a comfort box.
Model flexibility and positivity during moves or major transitions. Share your own challenges and how you’ve overcome them.
Check out The Top 7 Building Resilience Activities for Children While Traveling for more ideas on building resilience

Fostering Empathy

Encourage your child to learn about and respect different cultures and traditions. Take them to local festivals, museums, or cultural centers to deepen their appreciation of diversity.
Teach them to value diversity by participating in local customs and connecting with people from various backgrounds.
Read Building Cultural Connections with Kids: 10 Questions to Spark Curiosity for specific conversations starters to have with your child.

Strengthening Identity

Reinforce that their experiences make them unique. Use affirmations like, “You have such an interesting story, and that makes you special.”
Help them recognize the strengths they’ve developed, such as adaptability and cross-cultural understanding.

When Your Child Struggles with Belonging

Despite your best efforts, there may be times when your child feels lost or disconnected. Here’s how you can support them:

Listen Without Judgment: Let them express their feelings without minimizing their concerns.
Seek Professional Support: A counselor with experience working with Third Culture Kids can provide additional tools.
Stay Patient: Identity formation is a lifelong journey, and your child’s understanding of “home” may evolve over time.

A young boy in shorts and t shirt strolls through a museum in Budapest. There are ceramic busts on display and walls are blue. — C walks through a museum at Buda Castle. Learning about history and culture in a child friendly way can help a child feel connected to their community.

Final Reflections on Raising Global Citizens

Raising a global citizen is both a challenge and an opportunity. While your child may not fit neatly into traditional ideas of “home,” they will grow up with a rich tapestry of experiences, relationships, and perspectives that will shape them in extraordinary ways.

By focusing on stability through relationships, fostering open communication, and celebrating the beauty of a global lifestyle, you can help your child embrace their identity with confidence and pride.

Remember, home doesn’t have to be a single place—it can be a feeling, a story, or even the people you love most. For your family, home is wherever your journey together takes you.