For this episode, Clare is once again joined by Katie Sharpe who first appeared on the podcast in Jan 2024 to share her journey from flight attendant to Californian artist. Katie moved to the USA for love and is back today to talk about becoming a mother while living abroad. She explains how waiting for her green card affected the decision to have a baby and how having several cultures at play is influencing the dynamic of her family and new child.

Katie also talks about doctor shopping, the experience of being pregnant in a new country, giving birth, and differences in nursing and maternity leave in the USA. She also covers the cost of daycare and early schooling.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Having to wait a long time to get her green card affected when Katie and her husband started their family.
• In America, racial identity is talked about far more than in the UK. Katie explains how this has resulted in some surprising and tricky conversations she was not expecting to have.
• Katie´s experience of being pregnant and giving birth in the USA was largely good.
• Being honest with each other and talking through things has helped Katie and her husband Andre to get through some tough situations.
• Maternity leave in the USA varies from state to state.
• Realising that your child won´t get to spend much time with one side of their family is hard. But there are ways to stay close, which Katie shares in the episode.

BEST MOMENTS

‘My legal status was kind of up in the air. ´

‘I´ve always felt very much a part of the family.’

‘If you're looking for the positive, you end up in such a stronger relationship.’

‘I don´t necessarily feel the need for all of this stuff.’

 Katie Sharp is an artist from Lincolnshire, England, who currently lives in Benicia, California, USA with her husband Andre, son Peter and dog Annabelle.
www.artbyksharp.com
Instagram @artbyksharp

EPISODE RESOURCES

Earlier episode with Katie Sharpe - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/from-flight-attendant-to-artist-in-california-usa-katie/id1724940782?i=1000641095453

ABOUT THE HOST – CLARE KAY

Clare has moved countries many times throughout her life, from China to Taiwan, Nigeria, Zambia, and the USA. She has also travelled the world for various businesses and now wishes to impart her advice to others to save them time, money, and energy. 

Clare follows three principles central to her endeavours. First, she looks outward internationally, working with people overseas or of different nationalities. Second, she is obsessed with communication, having learned French, German and Mandarin Chinese. She also teaches English and works as an editor for others’ work. Clare is passionate about making a difference through her coaching in the world of personal development.

CONTACT METHOD

www.kayproofreading.com 

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay  

https://www.facebook.com/KayProofreading

Podcast Description

When you move for a new job, to live with someone after a long-distance relationship or to explore the benefits of a new lifestyle, moving countries occurs as an opportunity, but it still might be a bumpy ride. Moving Countries 101 presents a paradox of moving to a new destination, but it being all about the journey: the ongoing experience of having moved countries.

Clare and her guests share the human stories of an ancient undertaking in modern times. Moving countries prompts change, and change provokes being unsettled emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. On all these fronts, moving countries promotes observation, opportunity, and discovery.