1. You end your sentences with oder or richtig.
2. You answer with genau.
3. You close the doors even when no one is in the room.
4. Traveling with the train is not an experience; it is how you get around,
5. You rarely ever plan anything on Sunday evenings as you need to be home by 20.15.
6. You don't expect people to say I'm sorry when they hit your grocery cart.
7. You buy a 20 kilo bag of potatoes from the local door to door salesman.
8. You have correct change when you pay for something without anyone asking you first.
9. You look forward to a 2-hour walk on a Sunday afternoon. And coffee and cake afterwards.
10. You sweep the remaining snow away after you've first shoveled.
11. If you blow your nose, you really blow your nose. In public, too.
12. You say JA to someone asking you if you want a coffee, the first (and only) time they will offer it.
13. You are unsure what or who you mean when you say "wir".

Often times, kids feel they are not as involved in an international move as they would like to be and their opinion has not been taken into consideration. It is important kids feel a sense of ownership about the move. A positive way to illustrate the ownership they can have in the move process is by creating a collection of various sized clouds.

Moving involves several large and small decisions.

Exercise: Moving Clouds
1. Illustrate the decision to move as the largest decision, with the word MOVE appropriately placed in the largest cloud.
2. Draw several smaller clouds to illustrate the several other decisions kids can still be a part of.
3. Remind them to speak up and voice their opinion. Keeping the lines of communication open is key to a successful move for kids and parents.

I recommend a few other resources to support kids moving abroad with their families.

Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds
In this 3rd edition of the ground-breaking, global classic, Ruth E. Van Reken and Michael V. Pollock, son of the late original co-author, David C. Pollock have significantly updated what is widely recognized as The TCK Bible. Emphasis is on the modern TCK and addressing the impact of technology, cultural complexity, diversity & inclusion and transitions. Includes new advice for parents and others for how to support TCKs as they navigate work, relationships, social settings and their own personal development. S

TCK World is dedicated to the support and understanding of Third Culture Kids (TCKs): Military Brats, Preachers' Kids, Foreign Service and Corporate Kids, and others who have lived as children in foreign cultures. This website provide resources for the parents and teachers of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) who are dealing with the many challenges of cross-cultural transitions, and Adult-TCKs (ATCKs).

Culture Shock! Successful Living Abroad: A Parent's Guide by Robin Pascoe
Robin Pascoe, author of Culture Shock-A Parent's Guide, knows what it is like to be a traveling wife and mother. Her children have been on the move since they were born, and her family has lived in a community of traveling families. The advice in this book is the result of her cumulative experience, as well as consultation with child psychologist.