Category Archives: Parenting

5 Amazing Perks of Parenting in Costa Rica as an Expat

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

In my previous post, I blogged about the challenges of parenting as an expat in Costa Rica.  As intense as it is to raise third culture kids, these are offset by all the wonderful benefits of being a parent in … Continue reading →

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5 Challenges of Parenting in Costa Rica as an Expat

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

My children tell me I have changed a lot as a parent in a positive way since we moved from Texas to Costa Rica.  I think there are many reasons for these changes that are completely independent of living here, such … Continue reading →

Posted in A Lesson Worth Learning, Family Life, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What Is It Like to Be an Expat Parent in Costa Rica?

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

Kara, my tween daughter, recently confided a story to me recently that made me cringe inside.  The local custom in Costa Rica is to dump organic waste (banana peels, uneaten rice/beans, and other food waste products) outside as compost.  We … Continue reading →

Posted in A Question Worth Answering, Becoming an Expat, Family Life, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

7 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Be Grateful

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

We have all seen ungrateful kids: The child who turns their nose up on a meal served to them.  The child who does not say thank-you after opening their Christmas presents.  The child who throws a tantrum because their parent … Continue reading →

Posted in An Action Worth Doing, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Reflections on Our Trip to the Pantanal, Brazil

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

While traveling to the exotic Brazilian jungle may seem glamorous, the journey was not always perfect.  Not only was getting there painfully long, requiring long flights, layovers, uncomfortable truck and boat rides, but my patience and parenting skills were tested … Continue reading →

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Back to School Woes

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

Kara and Tristan start school at Centro de Educacion Creativa on Tuesday.  Today we spent a few hours at the school helping some of the teachers prepare their classroom.  On Monday we will have an orientation and get our school … Continue reading →

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Unplugged Fun: Forts and Huts

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

Besides bug hotels, the kids have also each built a fort in the yard.  They did it all by themselves.  Kara and Tristan spend hours in their little huts and when it rains I have to force them to get … Continue reading →

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Must Do in Monteverde: The Butterfly Garden

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

We stumbled upon the Monteverde Butterfly Garden by chance.  Chris had read about it in the wonderful, inspiring book “One Year Off”.  During the first week we were here, we stayed at Los Pinos, and we saw a sign for … Continue reading →

Posted in Living in Monteverde/Santa Elena, Travel to Costa Rica, Unplugged Fun | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Unplugged Fun: Bug Hotels

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

I will start featuring “Unplugged Fun” blog posts depicting ideas of fun things for kids to do outside without an electronic device.  Here is the first one. One of the biggest downsides to living in Monteverde, Costa Rica is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Living in Costa Rica, Living in Monteverde/Santa Elena, Unplugged Fun | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

“Is That Man Poor?”

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Noemi Gamel

I woke up feeling sorry for myself this morning. Today is our last day of vacation. After a very early drive back to Quepos, we will be taking the bus to San Jose. We will have about 2 hours in … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, Travel | Tagged | 3 Comments