A personal account of the challenges and realities of Foreign Service Life. Hundreds of families are being evacuated from the Middle East and we are sharing one story here to support the community.

Please do reach out to us if you have thoughts, ideas and your own stories to share.

Lisa Tilstra: Makelifelessdifficult

Susie Brown: HealthyexpatParent

Angi Solley: Teenlines

Great resources for parents:

The Sex Education Answer Book: By the Age Responses to Tough Questions Kids Ask Parents About Sex: A definitive guidebook to assist parents with answering a child's questions about sex and demystifying sex for both parent and child.

Kids Ask Script-building resource to help tailor conversations for parents/adults towards children around self-esteem, healthy relationships and making informed decisions.

Amaze.org - resources for youth(8-14) and parents about sexuality, bodies, and relationships

https://amaze.org/parents/

Porn: fact or fiction Amaze video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdB2rmGqqNU&ab_channel=AMAZEOrg

Guide to talking about porn:

https://amaze.org/parents/guides/porn/

Culture Reframed - Free self-guided programs on build your child's resilience and resistance to hypersexualized culture and the impacts of pornography

https://parents.culturereframed.org/course/parents-of-tweens/

Sex Ed Reclaimed - Resource for Christian Families https://www.sexedreclaimed.com/

Sex ed tips for Muslim parents - https://resources.muslimkids.tv/sex-education/

How Jewish parents can talk to kids about sex https://mizrachi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/HaMizrachi_Yom-Ha_Atzmaut_Israel_2021_58.pdf

Great Podcasts:

• This is so Awkward puberty podcast (and great newsletter)

• Birds and bees and kids with Amy Lang

Sex Positive Families: Massive database of sex-positive books and resources for every age.

Join me for a conversation with Dr Fae Frederick, about mental health and our FS kids. We talk about tips for families, for every day and also for times of transition, roles and responsibilities for parents, preventative care and getting the support you and your family need, especially while overseas. As always, a great resource, Dr Fae has great supplemental links to share.

Resources mentioned:

Where to find Dr Fae: www.drfae.com

Information about the groups Dr Fae mentioned: www.drfae.com/groups

Resource guide for FS folks and families: https://online-therapy.net/blog-home/mh-guide

Some great books to explore about development and communication:

Body-Brain Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Body-Parenting-Managing-Behavior-Resilient/dp/0063061317

How to talk so kids will listen: https://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Kids-Will-Listen/dp/1451663889

How to talk so little kids will listen: https://www.amazon.com/dp/150113163X

Ages and stages: https://www.amazon.com/Ages-Stages-Parents-Childhood-Development/dp/0471370878

Life Cycle Completed: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Cycle-Completed-Extended-Version/dp/0393317722 Erik Erickson and all his wisdom

Marcelle Yeager is an Executive Career & Job Search Expert — and a fellow EFM (Eligible Family Member). In this episode, she shares practical insights on how EFMs can land high-level positions by tapping into the strengths they already possess. From crafting a resume that tells the story of your impact to reframing your international experience as a competitive advantage, Marcelle offers encouragement and actionable tips to help you own your value and advance your career, no matter where in the world you are.

Contact Marcelle directly at Career Valet:

www.careervalet.com

Need some parenting advice? Sharoya Ham: www.embracebehaviorchange.com

or

Some support in making life less challenging? Lisa Tilstra: www.makelifelessdifficult.com

Considering moving forward to a new position in life? Wondering what the future opportunities are for work? Seeking employment after many years of trailing spouse life?

Sharoya is a welcoming, brilliant and insightful part of our Big Purple Blob community and this is her story.

Get in touch with Sharoya directly:

www.embracebehaviorchange.com

In our episode today, Emily shares her personal journey to sobriety, including her struggles with alcohol and the various resources and support systems she has utilized and continues to utilize throughout her recovery. She discusses her experiences as a sober Foreign Service employee, addressing challenges with medical clearance, navigating social situations, and building a support network within the Foreign Service community. Emily emphasizes the importance of finding community and resources for recovery, treating sobriety as a fragile process, and encouraging open conversations about alcohol use while providing healthy coping mechanisms.

List of Resources:

• https://www.emilycornell.com/contact

SOBRIETY COMMUNITY SUPPORT

• Alcoholics Anonymous/12-step Meetings:
• • Online and in-person meetings. Searching "AA English meetings in [country/place]" will often lead you to the local "intergroup" page with listings. Many areas also have online meetings.
  • There is a Foreign-Service-specific online AA meeting open to USDHs, EFMs/MOHs, and contractors of any agency under COM. Email diplomatic.sobriety@gmail.com for details/questions.
• The Luckiest Club: https://www.theluckiestclub.com/ TLC is a non-12-step, online sobriety support community with meetings on Americas + European timezones.

• Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) For more information email MEDECS@state.gov or call: 202-634-4874. [taken from this Department page]
• The Health Unit or RMOP, if at post

• There are a myriad of recovery-focused and sober-curious podcasts and books. Google "sobriety podcast" or "quit lit" for ideas.

• Int'l Assoc of Professional Recovery Coaches directory: https://www.directory.iaprc.org/home

• https://www.emilycornell.com/contact

The Big Purple Blob is here to discuss the hardships and offer helpful ideas for folks moving to the US this year.

Find out more at The Big Purple Blob.com

www.thebigpurpleblob.com/