“It takes a village to raise a child.”
It’s such a popular and evocative quote, but how many of us can lay claim to actually experiencing life in this village?
For working mothers, in particular, the daily responsibilities can feel like a Groundhog Day-like cycle of never-ending tasks that involve inhabiting different roles, in different and often diverse settings, and adapting accordingly. How many of us have had to pivot from leading an important business meeting to navigating the school run? All of these often conflicting priorities are tackled with the superficial appearance of swan-like serenity whilst re paddle furiously beneath the surface just to keep up.
If we are lucky enough to have family or friends on-hand (some ‘villagers’) to lean upon, we get some respite and a moment to breathe. But what happens when you combine remote work abroad with your family, and your usual support network is thousands of miles away? It’s easy to imagine your normal daily routine simply lifted and shifted to a new location but, now, without the safety net of your nearest and dearest. It’s daunting right?! It’s easy to imagine the challenges would be insurmountable and the risk of loneliness and isolation too high.
These are legitimate concerns and the likely reality for many remote-working parents. However, there is another way. There is, in fact, a village!
“Boundless Life unlocks infinite possibilities for families to live, work and connect while exploring the world. Enjoy the freedom of exploring the world where community, experiences, and local culture come together to make you feel at home while your children learn through a forward-thinking education programme that follows them wherever your family wants to go.”
Boundless Life has now welcomed over 100 families of all shapes and sizes since its launch in Sintra, Portugal in February 2022. Many of the mothers joining Boundless Life are working professionals and entrepreneurs who expertly navigate all of the challenges mentioned above - some of them solo. But what happens when things drift off course and the unexpected happens? Something beautiful happens - and we’ve had the privilege of witnessing it time and time again. Our wonderful community - our village - spontaneously rallies together to form a safety net, a backup system, or just a warm embrace. To give you just one example, if someone mentions they are feeling poorly it is only moments before one of their Boundless neighbors appears with homemade soup. Another offers to get groceries. A third arrange to collect their children from the Education Centre.
It’s easy to sound overly effusive when describing the significance and impact of these acts of kindness. In a world where people are becoming increasingly isolated, these very human interactions - these connections - are all the more treasured.
It doesn’t take something unexpected happening for Boundless Life’s own village to support the health and mental well-being of the parents it welcomes. Our community programming is designed to encourage moments to pause, to breathe, to reconnect with oneself - something that Moms so often de-prioritise.
From twice-weekly yoga classes to trips to the local spa and Mom’s Lunches - there are so many opportunities for reflection and decompression. Such activities are further supplemented by community-led sessions such as Conscious Parenting Workshops and ‘Coffee Chats’ - where no topic is off the table and there is always someone to listen to if you want to talk, laugh, rant, or even cry.
