Move to Europe = Teen Independence

When we made the move to Europe as a family, one of the things we hoped for most was that it would open new doors for our kids — not just academically or athletically, but personally. We wanted this adventure to give them perspective, possibility, and maybe even clarity. For our 19-year-old son Ethan, it has become just that: the beginning of a journey into independence, discovery, and self-direction.

At 19, Ethan is in that unique in-between stage of life — not quite a kid anymore, but still figuring out what adulthood looks and feels like. He finished high school, but like many young adults, he wasn’t entirely sure what the next step should be. Rather than push him down a specific path, we saw our move abroad as a chance for him to figure things out on his own terms.

Europe, as it turns out, is a pretty incredible backyard for self-discovery.

Getting Some Culture

From Vancouver to Amsterdam and Beyond

Right now, Ethan is traveling through Europe with two of his cousins — an experience that feels like the perfect extension of what we hoped this move could offer. They’ve already spent time exploring Amsterdam, Austria, Hungary, and of course, Portugal. He’s navigating train schedules, unfamiliar cities, new cultures, and unexpected hiccups — all while making memories and learning how to move through the world independently.

It’s been amazing to watch from afar — knowing that while he’s seeing beautiful places and having a blast, he’s also developing critical life skills: decision-making, problem-solving, budgeting, and simply figuring out how to be on his own.

Same Kid, New Backdrop

Parenting a 19-year-old — even in Europe — still comes with familiar challenges. Ethan is still Ethan. There are late nights, video games, and lots of socializing. Some days feel like a repeat of life back in North Vancouver, just with better weather and a more exotic setting.

But what’s different is that he recognizes the unique opportunity in front of him. He knows he’s living in a part of the world that many people only dream of visiting. He’s aware that this moment — this freedom to explore, to roam, to take it all in — is something rare and valuable. And that awareness, even when paired with the usual distractions, is something we’re really proud of.

The Summer of Freedom (With Check-Ins!)

This summer promises even more growth. Some of Ethan’s high school friends from Vancouver are planning to join him for a trip that will likely include Portugal, Spain, and maybe a few other countries. It’s a chance for him to not only reconnect with friends but also to keep expanding his worldview. We know he’ll come back with stories, experiences, and a clearer sense of what he does — or doesn’t — want out of life.

Of course, as parents, it’s not always easy to step back and let go. There’s the natural desire to check in, to offer advice, to be involved. But we’re learning that letting Ethan figure things out for himself — even when the journey is a little messy — is one of the most supportive things we can do.

Amsterdam

Creating the Space to Grow

One of the unexpected gifts of this move has been the space it created — physical and emotional — for Ethan to begin making decisions for himself. He’s not locked into a rigid schedule or timeline. He’s not being told what to do next. Instead, he’s been given room to explore, reflect, and hopefully, to land on something that feels like a fit.

It’s not about pushing him to have it all figured out. It’s about letting him be curious. Letting him try. Letting him stumble a little, knowing he has a safe place to come back to when he needs it.

Living His Best Life!

Trusting the Process

We don’t know exactly what’s next for Ethan, and truthfully, neither does he. But we trust the process. We trust that each train ride, hostel stay, late-night conversation, and unexpected detour is shaping him in ways that matter.

And we trust that the decision to move abroad — scary as it was — gave him the launchpad he needed.

Europe is his backyard now. And while he explores it, we’re cheering him on from the sidelines, grateful for the chance to witness this chapter of independence unfold. Because sometimes, the best way to support your teen is to simply step back and let them fly.