Raising children is one of life’s greatest joys—but when you’re a migrant parent doing it in a country different from the one you grew up in, it can also feel incredibly complex.
You want to give your kids the best of both worlds. You want them to speak your language, know your traditions, love your food—and at the same time, you want them to feel like they belong here in Australia, to grow up confident, safe, and accepted.
It’s a balancing act that many of us do every day, often quietly, and sometimes with a heavy heart.
The Challenges We Face as Migrant Parents
Being a parent is already hard enough. Add the challenges of migration, and it becomes a whole new world.
Here are some of the common struggles migrant parents share with me in counselling:
🌍 Raising kids in a culture we didn’t grow up in
Many of us are learning “how things work” in Australia at the same time our kids are growing up in it. From school systems to social norms to parenting expectations—it can all feel unfamiliar and sometimes even conflicting with our own upbringing.
🗣️ Language barriers and identity gaps
Maybe your child prefers English while you speak your native language. Maybe they roll their eyes at traditional customs, or don’t want to bring cultural food to school. These small moments can create painful gaps between generations.
🤝 Parenting without a village
Many of us don’t have family around to help. No aunties, grandparents, or neighbours to call on when we’re overwhelmed or just need a break. It can feel lonely and exhausting.
😔 Feeling judged—from both sides
Sometimes, we feel judged by mainstream society for being “too different,” and also by our own communities for “not being traditional enough.” It can feel like we’re never doing it quite right.
Strategies to Cope with These Challenges
Even though this journey is hard, we are not powerless. Here are some gentle strategies that can help:
❤️ Open conversations with your kids
Let them ask questions about your culture—and ask about theirs too. Be curious, not critical. Say things like, “Tell me how things are at school,” or “What does this mean to you?”
🏠 Create shared traditions
Blend your culture with theirs. Maybe it’s having tacos on a Friday night while watching Aussie footy. Or teaching your child your language through songs or bedtime stories. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be yours.
🌱 Be kind to yourself
Parenting across cultures is not easy. Give yourself permission to learn as you go. You’re doing something brave and beautiful—and it’s okay to make mistakes.
👩🏽⚕️ Seek support if you need it
Talking to a culturally sensitive counsellor can give you space to reflect, release the guilt or pressure, and explore your parenting values. You’re not alone, and you deserve support too.
🤗 Find or build your community
Look for migrant parent groups, multicultural playgroups, or online forums. Even one conversation with someone who “gets it” can make a world of difference.
The Gifts of Being a Parent From Overseas
Yes, there are challenges. But there are also so many beautiful strengths we bring as migrant parents.
We raise kids who are open-minded, adaptable, and empathetic. They grow up speaking more than one language, understanding more than one way to see the world. They learn resilience from watching us rebuild, from hearing our stories, from seeing us love them fiercely through it all.
We give them culture. We give them roots and wings.
So if you’re a migrant parent reading this, please know: you are not alone, and you are not failing. You’re raising your children with so much heart, across borders and barriers. And that is something to be deeply proud of.
With warmth and understanding,
Jesica Lule
Migrant Mum, Multicultural Counsellor, and Mental Health Advocate
Jesica Lule Counselling | Brisbane & Online