I have no expertise but i knew a kid who spent a lot of time in Australia and Iraq (or Saudi Arabia, or both?? can't remember exactly), went to highschool etc in both countries, and in Australia, in school, we was a bit strange, didn't really fit in or appear to want to, was very hard to get to know.. He often talked about how different the countries are..
I think he was just a quiet, deep thinking person in general, but in my opinion the exposure to any culture that is SO different to Australia (Australia being so peaceful, with full government benefits, no poverty, democracy etc) makes it hard for kids to assimilate in either place. Or they grow up loving one and hating the other..
I also have twin cousins who live in Singapore and Australia half half every year, they are 10 years old and have made NO friends in school in Australia, and teachers have said they tend to isolate themselves.
But your DS is only young! I think it would only really matter at primary school age and then on.
I guess it also depends on your son's father. Is there a chance he will try to keep you overseas? What are the laws in that country in relation to children's arrangements and relocation? I'd look at all that before I made any sort of decision.
Turtlescell - that's one of my big worries, that he'll end up not fitting in anywhere But like you said, he is only young and by the time he is at school I may decide to settle somewhere.
Divvy - I had thought about that but I haven't looked into any legalities yet. I doubt very much that my sons father will try to keep DS there. He is interested and wants to know him but I think he is far too immature and irresponsible to even think about being a proper parent and wanting him to stay. He did mention though getting dual citizenship for DS, but I think that will be very hard to get as he is not named on his birth certificate as his father so we really have no documented proof that he is of Tanzanian descent.
I think it's a wonderful idea.
If it's not working you can always stop doing it. My cousins lived in 5 different countries during their school years and they are very sociable and well adjusted. I have a few friends who grew up moving to whatever country their parents were stationed in and on the whole they were pretty well adjusted.
We've taken our children OS for a long time and intend to do so again.
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But like you said, he is only young and by the time he is at school I may decide to settle somewhere.
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