56 JUNE 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL child is 18, a legal document must be in place to continue to have access. 10. Social Security Card (original or scanned copy). Communication Matters As parents, we go from seeing and talking to our children daily to being separated by time zones, oceans, and thousands of miles. It can be confusing to figure out how—and how frequently—to chat. Striking a balance between checking in and giving space can be difficult. During the FSI/TC panel discussion, I had the opportunity to ask several TCKs and their parents to share their insights on communication strategies and tips for those embarking on this new journey. Have a conversation before the start of the school year. Set realistic communication expectations that you all can agree on. Be patient and flexible. Remember communication is a twoway street. It’s important to not compare your student with others, as some kids want to share more about their adventures than others. Start the conversation by asking, “Is this a good time to talk?” Tell them what’s going on with you if they seem reluctant to open up, but it’s not fun for them if you do all the talking, so let them initiate sometimes. And remember they may also want some space. Listen, and be respectful. Think about the time difference. One parent said they have the world clock on their phone, with all of the cities their students live in saved, and they check it all the time. The greater the time difference, the harder it can be to communicate. Many of the TCKs I spoke to said when they had a moment and wanted to call, they realized it was the Striking a balance between checking in and giving space can be difficult. EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT (Continues on page 62)
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