When you’re raising kids abroad, do you find yourself thinking “I need to do this right” more and more often?
I’m Mizuho, and I live in Canada. On this blog, through everyday meals, daily life and crocheting, I share peace of mind and little moments of calm with moms doing their best abroad.
I’ve struggled with the same things, and I believe that’s exactly why I have something to share. That’s what I write here.
You’re working hard every day, yet somehow your heart can’t settle. Little things leave you feeling unsettled, and before you know it, you’re sighing more often.
There’s no family nearby to lean on, and you have to do everything yourself. Even your kids’ school is so different from Japan, and so much of it is confusing.
I used to feel nervous talking with the other moms at the local school, and some days, even the daily drop-offs and pick-ups felt a little heavy.
Canadian winters are long, cold and dark. It’s hard to even want to go outside, and before you know it, your mood sinks too.
But in the middle of those days, what slowly helped me were small, simple ideas for meals and everyday life.
Table of Contents
Raising Kids Abroad, the “I Need to Do This Right” Keeps Growing
Every day is a rush. The kids, the house, school. There’s so much to do, yet there are so few days when I can say, “I did well today.”
It’s not that I wasn’t working, or spending my days lazing around, but time just kept slipping by.
“What am I even doing?” There was a time when I kept blaming myself like that.
The Hardest Part Was Figuring Out Meals Every Day
What wore me down most was thinking about meals, every single day.
When my kids were little, I just wanted to give them nourishing food. I wanted to keep them from getting sick. That feeling filled my heart.
But every evening, without fail, came the same worry: “What am I going to make for dinner tonight…?”
You can’t find everything here like you can in Japan, and my kids were picky eaters. Even so, there was the pressure to make a proper meal.
I think those small, everyday stresses slowly built up in my heart.
Why I Started This Blog
I started this blog because I thought the things I’ve experienced living abroad might be helpful to someone.
I wanted to help moms who struggle with everyday meals, even a little. I hoped I could support others raising kids abroad, just like me.
But looking back now, I think that by sharing through this blog, I was also sorting through my own worries and doubts, and searching for answers on how to make things a little easier.
Wanting to Gently Be There for Moms Raising Kids Abroad
Raising kids abroad comes with more moments of tension than I ever imagined.
You may not have anyone to open up to, or you push yourself too hard, telling yourself, “This is the path I chose.”
That’s why I want this blog to be a place that gently stays close to the hearts of moms raising kids abroad.
You’re not alone. There are others who feel the same way. If you can feel that here, it would make me so happy.
What I Share on This Blog
Here’s what I mainly write about:
- Japanese home cooking made with ingredients you can find in Canada
- Meals my veggie-hating kids actually ate
- Tips to stop stressing over what to make every day
- Easy food habits that busy moms abroad can keep up
What matters most to me is that you think, “I can do this,” not “I have to get it right.”
Crocheting Gave Me a Calm Time of My Own
Do you have a little “me time” where your heart can finally settle?
Just as important to my life as food, there’s one more thing I can’t do without. That’s Crocheting.
I’d always loved crocheting, and when I picked it up again while living abroad, I found that, somehow, it calmed my heart.
When I’m simply moving my hands, my mind goes quiet, and more and more often I find myself thinking, “Oh well, it’s okay.”
Crocheting for Everyday Life, Starting from Beginner Level
For moms who are curious about crocheting, this blog also shares:
- Easy projects for beginners
- Crochet pieces you can use in everyday life
- More ambitious projects, like sweaters
- How to read Canadian and American crochet patterns
Rather than making things perfectly, I care most about enjoying it and keeping it going.
Toward a Life at My Own Pace, Without Trying Too Hard
It doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to score 100 every day.
Once I started to feel that way, life slowly became a little easier.
At my own pace, adding the things I love, little by little. I believe that alone is enough to keep each day moving forward.
It’s Okay to Feel Unsure. Slowly, at Your Own Pace
Even in my 40s, I still worry about parenting, worry about work, and spend my days thinking about what I want next.
I’m sure everyone feels unsure sometimes.
It’s okay to feel lost. It’s okay to pause.
I hope this blog can be a place where moms doing their best abroad can feel a little more at ease.
Please take your time, and start with any post that catches your eye.
I hope you enjoy my stories and articles, and that you find something helpful here.