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Holding the Fort AbroadThe podcast for expats with travelling partners Author: Rhoda Bangerter
Holding the Fort Abroad is the podcast for expats with travelling partners. Discover how families find creative ways to maintain relationships when one partner/parent works away more frequently, whilst the non-travelling parent juggles responsibilities at home amid their own pursuits. Through deep and often humorous conversations, my guests - experienced expats, therapists and researchers share their wisdom with us all. Even without a travelling partner, youll find valuable gifts here for your life abroad. Find out more... Language: en Genres: Places & Travel, Relationships, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#89 Travelling Parents: Guide to Building a Connected Family Life - with Rhoda Bangerter
Episode 89
Monday, 23 February, 2026
Synopsis:Travelling Parents: Guide to Building a Connected Family LifePractical strategies for families when one parent works away, and how naming your family structure reduces stress and avoids future regret.Keywords: travelling parents, connected family life, parent away from home, long-distance familyThe first of a 3-episode series: Episode 89 Recognise it for what it isEpisode 90 Reframe as WEEpisode 91 Re-enforce The Bond Across the Distance Episode 1: What Are We Recognising Main TakeawaysYou’re not broken. Your family isn’t unusual. This is a legitimate family form.Different namesSplit Family International AssignmentsMulti location families, Split Location FamiliesNon family duty stationsUnaccompanied PostingsFrequent Business TravelDifferent lengths of timeA few weeks at a timeLiving and working in another countryDifferent sectors, different scenarios, different reasonsSame absence, same toing and froingSimilar challenges, big emotions, hidden loadThe parent at home becomes default parentThe travelling parent fears losing connectionAmbiguous grief for childrenSame potential for regretTwo well-known studies:Impact on Spouses of World Bank StaffAnne Copeland, Interchange Institute, Voices from Home and Voices from the Road2. Why naming and recognising it mattersNot recognising it and ‘just getting on with it’ can lead to regrets later onUnderestimating impact on self and others and self blameCouples often don’t anticipate systemic impact. Recognising and naming it allows to put things in place. It gives structure.3. How do we name it? Importance of not mis-labeling: single parent, absent parent.Labels that undermine the travelling parentAbsent parentNot really therePart-time parentWeekend dad / weekend mumSecondary parent
