Bidding - Part 2

image: Natalie Defnall Photography

I previously shared a post about our top considerations for bidding on our next post.  I decided to break them down into multiple posts for several reasons.  Its a neat way to document things that we deem important now to see how we change and grow in this lifestyle in the future.  It's also a good tool to help our family and friends understand why we did or didn't choose that most glamours city in the world to live in as our top bid.  (FYI that's an example... and glamorous is relative).

Today I'd like to share the top consideration in our bidding process....... family.  When we made the decision to join the foreign service we were very well aware that the decision was made for our children.  And while we discussed it and prayed over it with them, Erik and I had the final say.  However, our main goal in life at this moment is raising healthy, well grounded, happy children.  So, they have a little more of a say than they realize.

There are so many factors involving the family to consider when researching posts.  There is the school, the size of the expat community, the safety of the post, and one I will elaborate on now... the housing.

That sounds like a small and maybe selfish issue to consider, but it's a big deal for us.  Our home in Sri Lanka is walled, and as I mentioned earlier, while it provides a measure of security, it can also bring a sense of isolation.  We had such a community in Alabama, even in DC our children ran the neighborhood.  Here, that really isn't possible.  However, several of our bidding options have homes in gated communities.  That means bike riding, and playing in the yard with other kids.  That is truly valuable to us and is a lifeline for our children. 

I will elaborate on schools in another post, it's a whole other ball of wax. 

Colombo has a large expat community.  It is wonderful, it also has a large American Embassy community with loads of kids.  That has been wonderful for us to experience.  While we feel it is important to immerse ourselves into the culture of South Asia, the truth is, our comfort level is best when we are surrounded by others share our home culture.  This wasn't something we would have considered before experiencing the Expat Community in Sri Lanka.  But because of that, it's a priority for bidding on our next post. 

Family is a big deal.  It's our highest calling when we decide to bring children into the world, we decide to put their needs above ours, so while some posts may seem more alluring as far as exotic, or dreamy sights to see, when the day is done, all my children want is to play with their friends, roam on their bikes and get lost in adventures using their imaginations.  Those "wants" mean we choose our next post carefully. 

Any veteran FSOs out there... what are some of your family considerations when bidding?