Books, videos, and websites for Third Culture Kids
This book focuses on how to make moving overseas with children a positive experience for everybody. The primary focus of the book is on understanding how living overseas affects your children. It addresses pre-field preparation, transition, establishing yourselves overseas, educational decisions, and re-entry issues. The book is written from a Christian perspective.
This compilation of articles on various MK issues is a great resource. It covers developmental issues that MKs face a various ages, educational issues (including preparation for college), parenting, and MK care. This is book gives one of the best overviews of MK issues, and saves you looking for all the articles yourself.
One Thing Never Changes begins with a list of suggestions for parents moving with children. Most of these apply to moves overseas, though some will need to be modified.
The story follows Jenna who is moving because her daddy got a job in a different city. Relieved at first because she can bring her toys and bed, she then realizes that she can’t bring her best friend and her feelings change. Jenna’s parents assure her that she can write to her friend and call her sometimes. Her Sunday School teacher reminds Jenna that, although moving will mean many changes, one thing never changes: Jesus will always love her, always be with her, and always hear her prayers. This is an “I Can Understand Book” – a series of small booklet-style books written to help children face difficult situations (e.g. the death of a loved one, a parent’s illness, etc.).
Reading level: age 5-8 years.
Don’t Despair on Thursdays! was not written for TCKS particularly but for late elementary kids to process all kinds of grief. It has pictures but it isn’t really a story, more of an informational book about grief. It has funny moments (like sumo wrestlers crying) alongside practical information and suggestions for dealing with loss. It covers how grief can take a long time to process, describes how it comes and goes in intensity, shows the physical symptoms of grief, and then provides tips on how to walk through the process.
This would be a good book to read with older children when a friend moves away or when they leave family or pets behind. Its advice at the end would be helpful for older kids or even adults, though the pictures might put off teenagers.
Age level: age 9-12 years.
TCKs –MKs in particular– can have mixed experiences in US American churches, both in visiting when their families are fundraising in churches, and when they try to find a church home when they’re older. In these interviews TCKs are asked:
This book is designed for use by the whole family. The authors discuss the basic steps involved in moving abroad: deciding to go, preparing to leave, arriving and settling in, working through culture shock, living in the expatriate community, and returning home. They also address major issues such as informing the children and helping them adjust, dealing with servants, keeping the family functioning effectively, and finding social outlets overseas.