Letters from Readers

This is where our community shares their stories, struggles, and victories. Every letter reminds me that none of us are alone in our journeys, and that sharing our experiences creates connection across continents.

247 Letters Received
23 Countries Represented
89 Expat Mothers
156 ADHD/PCOS Warriors

Share Your Story

Have a story to share? A question? A moment of recognition? I'd love to hear from you. All letters are treated with care and published only with permission.

Motherhood
I read your post about raising bilingual kids and actually cried. I'm Brazilian-American living in London with my British husband, and our 3-year-old is refusing to speak Portuguese. I felt like such a failure until I read your words about being patient with the process. Thank you for reminding me that language is love, even when it's messy.
Maria, London November 2024
Alexandra's Response:
Oh Maria, first of all—you are NOT a failure. You're a mother navigating something incredibly complex while trying to honor multiple cultures. That's not failure, that's heroism in everyday clothes. Our kids will come back to their heritage languages when they're ready, and in the meantime, they're absorbing so much more than we realize. Keep speaking Portuguese, keep sharing your culture, and trust the process. ❤️
ADHD Life
Your Swedish minimalism + ADHD post was like reading my own thoughts! I'm American living in Denmark and struggling with the same thing. How do you balance the need for visual cues with the cultural pressure to keep everything hidden away? My Danish friends are so polite about my "organized chaos" but I can tell they think I'm a mess.
Sarah, Copenhagen December 2024
Alexandra's Response:
Sarah! The struggle is SO real. I've learned that function comes before form, even in Scandinavia. Your Danish friends might be quietly impressed by your systems if you frame them as "intentional organization." Also, get some beautiful clear containers and call it "transparent minimalism." Sometimes it's all about the presentation! 😉
PCOS & Health
I just got diagnosed with PCOS at 28 and I'm terrified about fertility. Reading your posts about managing PCOS while having kids gives me hope, but I'm also scared about the Swedish healthcare system. Did you have to fight for treatment? Any advice for someone just starting this journey?
Anonymous, Gothenburg November 2024
Alexandra's Response:
Sweet anonymous friend, first breathe. PCOS is manageable, and fertility is absolutely possible. Yes, the Swedish system requires patience and self-advocacy, but the holistic approach actually served me well long-term. Document everything, learn the magic phrase "this significantly impacts my quality of life," and don't be afraid to ask for referrals. You've got this, and you're not alone. ❤️
Moving Abroad
My husband got a job in Sweden and we're moving from Canada next year. I'm excited but also terrified. Your posts about the cultural adjustment help, but I'm worried about making friends and fitting in. Any practical advice for the first few months? What do you wish someone had told you?
Jennifer, Toronto → Stockholm December 2024
Alexandra's Response:
Jennifer! How exciting! My biggest advice: join things immediately. Mom groups if you have kids, hobby clubs, language exchanges, anything. Swedes are wonderful but friendship takes time here—don't take the initial reserve personally. Also, embrace the seasonal rhythms and learn to love fika. You're going to do great! Feel free to email me when you arrive—I'd love to connect you with other expat moms.
Cultural Identity
I'm half Korean, half German, grew up in the US, and now live in the UK. Your writing about not fitting into neat categories really resonates. Sometimes I feel like I'm too much for some cultures and not enough for others. How do you handle the constant "where are you from" question? It's exhausting.
Kim, Manchester October 2024
Alexandra's Response:
Kim, I feel this in my soul! I've started saying "I'm from the in-between spaces" when people ask where I'm from. It usually confuses them enough to start a real conversation about identity rather than just trying to categorize me. You're not too much or too little—you're perfectly complex, and that's a gift, even when it doesn't feel like one.
Motherhood
Your post about the 7 AM reality check made me laugh-cry. I'm a single mom in Stockholm (moved here for work) and some mornings I feel like I'm barely surviving, let alone thriving. Thank you for being honest about how hard it is. It makes me feel less alone in this beautiful, lonely city.
Lisa, Stockholm November 2024
Alexandra's Response:
Lisa, you are not just surviving—you are doing something incredibly brave every single day. Single motherhood in a new country is heroic, full stop. Please know that those chaotic mornings don't define your parenting; your love and persistence do. Stockholm can feel lonely, but you're stronger than you know. Sending you so much love and solidarity. ❤️