In this episode, we welcome special guest Colette Ballew — a Third Culture Kid who went on to raise Third Culture Kids of her own. From navigating interfaith family dynamics to blending French, American, Jewish, and Tunisian traditions, we explore how identity, language, and culture show up across generations.

Join us as we dive into the power of storytelling, the complexity of belonging, and the beauty (and chaos!) of raising multilingual, multicultural children.

🗣️ Note: This is one of our longer episodes — and for good reason! Colette’s story is rich with insight, humor, and heart.

🧭 Topics Discussed:

• Colette’s upbringing across American, Jewish, Tunisian, and Christian traditions and how she raised her children with a mix of influences
• How language connects to memory, emotion, and cultural perception
• Colette’s unexpected immigration story and reflections on citizenship
• Language acquisition, multilingual parenting, and teaching techniques
• The emotional legacy of cultural blending and storytelling across time
   …and more!

📚 Vocabulary Shared in This Episode:

• Third Culture Kid (TCK) – A child raised in a culture different from their parents' or passport country, often blending multiple identities.
• Seder (Hebrew) – A Jewish ritual feast marking the start of Passover.
• Chocolatine vs. Pain au Chocolat (French) – Regional terms in France for a chocolate-filled pastry; a playful cultural divide.
• Nikitu (North African) – A traditional soup passed down through Colette’s Tunisian-Jewish heritage.
• Receptive vs. Expressive Language – Terms used in language development to distinguish understanding from spoken output.

💬 Your turn:

What’s your experience blending cultural traditions in your family? Are you raising Third Culture Kids — or were you one yourself?

We’d love to hear your story! Send us a message at [email protected] or tag us on Instagram @cultureclashparenting!

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We want to hear from you! Share your personal stories of parenting across cultures or suggest topics for future episodes!

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Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @cultureclashparenting
• Email: [email protected]

Culture Clash Parenting is lovingly produced by Astrid and Marisa, fueled by laughter, late-night texts, and a shared passion for embracing the chaos that comes with raising multicultural children. We believe in the power of storytelling to create a more peaceful, patient, and equitable world.

Music and editing by Lonely Heaven Music