Perks of Having Dual Nationality Kids

I have two dual nationality kids. They were both born in London to a British/Welsh Mum and a British/Australian Dad, meaning they automatically qualified for two passports each. Inter-National marriages can be a nuisance, extended families spread to the edges of the map can make life complicated. Paying for all those passports is certainly expensive, but on the whole, it’s a bonus.

Their childhoods have been enriched by spending some-time-here, some-time-there. I’m very glad they’ve had the experience of living in both their parents’ cultures, meeting people of both nationalities and finding out what makes two nations tick.

Some of The Perks of Having Australian/British Children.

We Can Live Where We Like.

We have the choice of two countries to live in. In fact, more, as Europe is open to us too. I do not hold an Australian passport but it was very easy to obtain an Australian permanent resident’s visa entitling me to live there. Being the Mum of Australian kids opens those doors very easily. Now that I have lived in Australia for 2 years I’m eligible for Australian Citizenship, should I choose to apply.

We can visit the UK whenever we like and stay as long as we like, maybe we’ll move back there when we tire of our present travel lifestyle.

The Boys Have Rich Heritages To Learn About

My boys, far more so that normal Australian children, know all about being British. They know about British history, values, geography, society and traditions.

Australia is a country with an over abundance of national holidays, many shared with the UK, but we add our own special days. St David’s day, the Welsh national day, is celebrated in our house, along with Bonfire Night, the 5th November, when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. We made sure we were in the UK for Bonfire Night last year, it was great for the kids.

At the same time they know about the uniquely Australian traditions of Anzac Day and Australia Day. They are learning all about Australia’s rich Aboriginal heritage and the early arrival of the Europeans. They have experiences rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef and the outback. It makes a change from British chalk downs , coniferous forests, wetlands and village greens.

Educationally, we take elements of the Australian, British and American curriculums and work them into our own learning plans. I want their education to be more global than one nation’s curriculum allows.

They have seen the traditions of both countries and can pick which suit them best in later life. Will they pick prawns on the barbie for Christmas Lunch or the full British winter wonderland?

Multiple Passports Make Travel Easier

Visa regulations sometimes differ for Australian and British passport holders. For example, a visa for India is a lot cheaper for Australians. We always have a spare passport should we lose one and we have that extra bit of security.

There Is More Happening On Their Dinner Plates

Any blended family will have a mix of traditional recipes. In our family Welsh rarebit, Welsh cakes and Laver Bread from my native Wales sit alongside traditional British roasts, game, fresh fish, amazing cheeses and puddings. At they same time they experience the Aussie specialities, prawns, oysters, kangaroo sausages and crocodile pies. We can mix it up whatever way we like.

Britain has a huge abundance of Indian food, in our part of Australia Indian food is almost non existent. Mum learnt to cook Indian-style a long time ago, the boys will have no problem in India nor in the Great British Curry House.

They Have More Options in Their Futures

The kids can remain nomadic Australian homeschoolers or slot back into the British education system. They can choose where to go to university and start their careers. Their father came to London as newly qualified chef to give his career a boost, that’s how we met. They can pick which country will best suit their educational or professional needs.

So Which Nationality Do My Boys Choose?

My younger son says he’s London-ish.

My elder son says he’s Welstralian.

It will be their choice. It’s always good to have choices.