We Worried About Raising Kids in Riyadh — Here’s the Truth

We were nervous about raising our kids in Riyadh — new culture, new schools, new lifestyle. In this episode, we share the honest truth about what we feared, what actually happened, and how moving abroad has made our kids more confident, resilient, and culturally aware.

From the village feel of compound life to international schools, new friendships, nannies, travel opportunities, and learning gratitude, we share what life with kids in Riyadh is really like.

Whether you're considering a move to Saudi Arabia or you're already in Riyadh wondering how your kids will cope, this episode is the perspective we wish we'd had before relocating.

⭐ What We Cover in This Episode:

• Our fears about raising kids in Riyadh

• Why moving abroad can be the best thing for kids

• Cultural exposure, confidence, and social skills

• Compound life and the “old-school neighborhood” vibe

• International schools and global education

• Nannies, privilege, and teaching gratitude

• Travel opportunities in Saudi and beyond

• How parenting changes when you slow down

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – We Were Scared to Move 00:09 – The Fears We Had About Raising Kids Abroad 02:33 – Why Moving Abroad Is Actually So Good for Kids 03:38 – Multicultural Exposure & A Bigger Worldview 07:07 – Confidence, Resilience & Social Skills Blooming 12:52 – Compound Life & That ‘Village Feel’ 18:17 – Inside International Schools & Education Abroad 21:00 – Making New Friends in a New Country 21:51 – Real Confidence: What New Experiences Teach Kids 22:37 – Growing Up Multilingual & Culturally Aware 23:41 – School Trips, Travel & Independence for Kids 27:41 – Raising Grateful Kids in a Life Full of Opportunity 32:05 – How Parenting Changes When You Live Abroad 36:55 – Would We Do It Again? Our Honest Final Thoughts