Raising two daughters across continents has been my most rewarding adventure. At 47, my life as a single father navigating the digital nomad lifestyle while parenting girls aged 13 and 3 has taught me invaluable lessons about balance, cultural identity, and unconditional love.
The beautiful complexity of fatherhood lies in embracing both the joys and challenges that come with raising children from different backgrounds and across geographical distances.
My oldest, born in Bergen and raised in Oslo, carries influences from her Norwegian upbringing and Vietnamese heritage from her mother. My youngest, born in Vancouver, is just beginning to form her identity with different cultural touchpoints.
This fall marks a significant transition as my teenage daughter relocates to Vancouver for school, bringing our family closer together in one location for the first time. As someone with Korean-Canadian roots who has lived in metropolises from Tokyo to London, I’ve learned that fatherhood transcends borders while still being shaped by the cultural contexts we inhabit.
The Essence of Fatherhood
Fatherhood has transformed my life in profound ways, reshaping my identity and priorities while teaching me patience and unconditional love. My journey raising two daughters across continents has been both challenging and rewarding.
Navigating Dual Identities
As a second-generation Korean Canadian raising half-Vietnamese daughters in multiple countries, cultural identity is central to our family dynamic. I strive to help my girls embrace their rich multicultural heritage without feeling overwhelmed by it.
My 13-year-old has grown up primarily in Oslo, absorbing Norwegian values while maintaining connections to her Asian roots. Meanwhile, my 3-year-old is beginning her journey between Vancouver and my various international bases.
I incorporate elements from all our cultural backgrounds into our daily lives. We celebrate Lunar New Year with traditional foods, observe Norwegian Constitution Day, and participate in Canadian traditions.
Language has been crucial—I encourage both daughters to develop multilingual skills to connect with all parts of their heritage. This multicultural upbringing has helped them develop remarkable adaptability and openness to different perspectives.
Embracing the Single Dad Role
Being a single father has required me to challenge traditional parenting expectations. I’ve learned to be both nurturing and firm, developing a parenting approach that works for our unique situation.
The 10-year age gap between my daughters means I’m simultaneously navigating teenage concerns and toddler tantrums. With my oldest, we discuss complex social issues and future aspirations. With my youngest, I’m rediscovering the joy of simple discoveries.
My digital nomad lifestyle has its challenges, particularly maintaining consistent routines while traveling. I’ve developed practical systems to ensure stability despite our mobility—regular video calls when we’re apart, and focused, quality time when together.
Co-parenting across continents requires exceptional communication skills with both mothers. We maintain shared calendars, regular updates, and aligned approaches to major decisions despite different parenting philosophies.
Cultural Tapestries: Embracing Diversity
My journey as a father has been enriched by the unique cultural blend that forms our family identity. This diversity has shaped both my parenting approach and the worldview I hope to instill in my daughters.
Korean-Canadian Roots and Vietnamese Connections
Being a second-generation Korean-Canadian has given me a profound appreciation for cultural duality. I grew up navigating between my parents’ Korean traditions and Canadian society, an experience that prepared me for raising children with multinational backgrounds.
Both my daughters share Vietnamese heritage through their mothers, adding another rich cultural dimension to our family. I’ve made deliberate efforts to incorporate elements from all three cultures into our lives.
We celebrate Lunar New Year with traditional foods and customs from both Korean and Vietnamese traditions. I make sure both girls understand the meaning behind these celebrations, not just participating in them.
Language has been important too. I speak English with them but encourage them to learn phrases in Korean and Vietnamese. My older daughter can navigate basic conversations in three languages, a skill I’m incredibly proud of.
International Living and Its Impact on Parenting
My digital nomad lifestyle has exposed my daughters to a world beyond textbooks. Living in cities across Asia, Europe, and North America has fundamentally shaped their worldview and my parenting philosophy.
When my oldest daughter was growing up in Oslo, we would explore Norwegian customs while maintaining connections to her Asian heritage. I found creative ways to blend these influences, like incorporating Norwegian children’s stories with themes that resonated with Korean values.
The age gap between my daughters means they’ve had different multicultural experiences. My teenager has lived primarily in Norway, while my toddler is experiencing early childhood in Vancouver with frequent travel.
Technology has been crucial in maintaining cultural connections. We use video calls for language practice with relatives in Vietnam and Korea. I also curate children’s books and media from all their heritage cultures.
I believe this multicultural upbringing is preparing them for our globalized world. They’re developing adaptability, empathy, and curiosity about different perspectives that I couldn’t have taught them through traditional parenting alone.
The Teenage Years: Guiding My Eldest Daughter
Navigating my 13-year-old daughter’s adolescence across cultural boundaries has been both rewarding and challenging. Her upcoming move to Vancouver marks a significant transition in our lives.
Adolescence in Oslo vs. Canadian Culture
My eldest daughter’s teenage years in Oslo have been shaped by Norwegian cultural influences, creating an interesting blend with her Vietnamese and Korean heritage. I’ve noticed significant differences in how teenagers socialize in Norway compared to Canada. Norwegian youth culture emphasizes independence earlier, with teens often navigating public transportation alone by age 10-11.
When I visit Oslo, we discuss these cultural contrasts openly. She’s developed a strong sense of self-reliance that I believe comes from Norwegian society, yet she maintains connections to her Asian heritage through food and traditions I’ve shared during our time together.
Our regular video calls help bridge the distance. I make it a point to understand her friend circle, academic challenges, and the unique pressures of being a multicultural teen in Scandinavia.
Preparing for the Transition to Vancouver
The decision for my daughter to move to Vancouver wasn’t made lightly. We’ve spent months discussing what this transition will mean for her education, social life, and identity. Canadian high schools offer different academic structures than Norwegian schools, so I’ve arranged meetings with her future school counselors.
I’ve created a digital photo tour of Vancouver, highlighting neighborhoods, potential activities, and places that reflect her mixed heritage. We’re also identifying Korean and Vietnamese communities where she can maintain cultural connections.
My parents are excited to have their granddaughter nearby. They’ve been preparing by learning about Norwegian customs she’s grown accustomed to, creating a welcoming space that honors all parts of her identity.
Her concerns about making friends are valid. I’ve connected her with teens from similar international backgrounds in Vancouver through online groups for third-culture kids.
Early Childhood: Raising My Youngest Daughter
Raising my three-year-old daughter in Vancouver presents unique joys and challenges compared to my experience with my teenage daughter. The cultural dynamics and my own growth as a father shape our daily interactions.
Different Journeys from Bergen to Vancouver
My youngest daughter was born in Vancouver, creating a vastly different early childhood experience than her older sister who was born in Bergen and raised in Oslo. This geographical distinction means my toddler is growing up immersed in Canadian culture, while I bring elements of my Korean heritage into her upbringing.
As a digital nomad, I’ve established a home base in Vancouver that allows for stability while maintaining my global lifestyle. When traveling, I make deliberate choices about timing and duration to minimize disruption to her routine.
Her Vietnamese heritage from her mother’s side adds another dimension to her cultural identity. I actively incorporate Vietnamese traditions and language alongside Korean and Canadian influences to help her develop a rich multicultural awareness from an early age.
Learning Through Play and Exploration
My approach to parenting my three-year-old focuses heavily on experiential learning. I create opportunities for her to explore her environment through:
- Nature excursions in Vancouver’s abundant parks and beaches
- Cultural activities that reflect our diverse backgrounds
- Language exposure through books, songs, and conversations in multiple languages
The digital nomad lifestyle offers unique educational advantages. When we travel together, she’s exposed to different environments, foods, and people that broaden her perspective even at this young age.
I’ve noticed her developing remarkable adaptability and social confidence from our mobile lifestyle. Whether we’re navigating Vancouver’s neighborhoods or visiting family across Canada, she approaches new situations with curiosity rather than fear.
Technology plays a measured role in her learning – I utilize video calls to maintain connections with family in Norway, Korea and Vietnam, helping her understand our extended global family.
Balancing Life as a Digital Nomad and Dad
My unique lifestyle requires careful planning and emotional intelligence to ensure my daughters receive the nurturing and guidance they need despite geographical distances.
The Logistics of Long-Distance Parenting
I’ve developed systematic approaches to stay present in my daughters’ lives. My calendar is meticulously organized with time zone conversions for Oslo and Vancouver to never miss important calls or virtual parent-teacher meetings.
I maintain a consistent video call schedule – daily check-ins with my 3-year-old and longer weekly conversations with my teenager. These aren’t negotiable appointments in my schedule.
My work arrangements are structured around my daughters’ availability. I often wake early or stay up late to accommodate their schedules, and I’ve negotiated remote work arrangements that allow extended stays in their cities.
Technology is essential – I use shared digital calendars with my co-parents, educational apps we can engage with together, and secure messaging platforms for daily updates.
Maintaining Close Bonds Across Continents
Quality trumps quantity in my parenting approach. Our video calls involve activities beyond conversation – homework help with my 13-year-old, virtual bedtime stories for my toddler, and cooking the same meal simultaneously across continents.
I create shared experiences despite the distance. We watch the same movies together while video chatting, and I send physical care packages with items that spark conversation during our next call.
Cultural connection is paramount. I ensure both daughters understand their Korean-Vietnamese heritage through stories, language practice, and virtual cooking lessons featuring family recipes.
I document everything to share with them. My travels generate photos and stories that become educational moments about geography, cultures, and history that we discuss together.
Educating My Daughters in a Multicultural World
Raising daughters across continents presents unique educational opportunities and challenges. My girls are growing up between different educational philosophies while navigating multiple cultural identities.
The Role of Education in Multicultural Identity
I’ve always believed education extends beyond textbooks. For my 13-year-old, schooling in Norway emphasized independent thinking and outdoor learning—quite different from my Canadian upbringing.
We maintain Vietnamese language lessons for both girls through online tutoring. This connection to their maternal heritage is essential for their identity development.
Korean traditions also play a role in our learning environment. I teach them basic Korean phrases and celebrate Korean holidays when possible, creating a bridge to their paternal ancestry.
Digital tools have been invaluable. We use language apps, cultural documentaries, and video calls with relatives to maintain connections across their diverse heritage backgrounds.
Schools Around the Globe: Adapting to Diverse Systems
The Norwegian education system offered my older daughter a strong foundation with its emphasis on equality and social development. Classes were small, and the approach was less competitive than North American schools.
Vancouver’s educational environment will present new challenges for her this fall. We’ve already begun researching schools with strong ESL support and multicultural programs to ease her transition.
For my 3-year-old in Vancouver, I’ve chosen a preschool with a diverse student body and multicultural curriculum. Her teachers incorporate cultural celebrations from around the world.
When traveling, I schedule our trips to minimize disruption to school schedules. During longer stays, I arrange temporary enrollment in local schools or supplementary online learning to maintain educational continuity.
Anticipating Changes: Both Daughters in Vancouver
The prospect of having both my daughters in Vancouver represents a monumental shift in our family dynamic. This transition brings opportunities for them to build their relationship as sisters despite their age gap and different upbringings.
Reuniting Siblings Under One Roof
My daughters have mostly known each other through video calls and occasional visits. At 13 and 3, they’re at vastly different developmental stages, but I’ve noticed how my teenager shows remarkable patience with her little sister. I’m preparing both for this new chapter by discussing expectations and changes.
I’ve secured an apartment with separate bedrooms for each of them in a family-friendly neighborhood with excellent schools nearby. The location offers easy access to parks, libraries, and community centers where they can participate in activities together and separately.
Their grandparents, who live nearby, are excited to have regular time with both granddaughters. This support system will be invaluable as we navigate this transition together.
Our Future Together in Vancouver
Vancouver offers the stability my nomadic lifestyle hasn’t provided. I’ve arranged my work schedule to be present for school drop-offs and pick-ups, establishing a routine that both girls can depend on. While I’ll still travel occasionally, these trips will be shorter and less frequent.
I’m excited to introduce them to my childhood haunts – the trails of Stanley Park, the beaches of English Bay, and the multicultural food scene that reflects our own diverse heritage. We’ll explore their Korean and Vietnamese roots through local cultural centers and communities.
My older daughter will attend an international school that accommodates her Norwegian educational background. My younger one will start preschool where she can make friends her age.
I’m creating a home that honors all parts of their identities – Norwegian, Vietnamese, Korean, and Canadian. Through this reunification, we’re building a new chapter together.
Reflections on Fatherhood
Fatherhood has transformed my life in profound ways, challenging me to grow while offering immeasurable rewards. The journey has shaped my identity and priorities in unexpected directions.
The Rewards of Raising Two Daughters
The joy of watching my daughters develop their unique personalities is incomparable. My 13-year-old shows remarkable independence, blending her Norwegian upbringing with her Vietnamese heritage in fascinating ways.
My 3-year-old brings fresh energy and perspective into my life. Her curiosity about everything reminds me to slow down and appreciate small wonders I might otherwise overlook.
Despite the geographic distance, technology has enabled me to maintain meaningful connections. Our video calls, though not replacing physical presence, have become treasured rituals that bridge continents.
I’ve learned to listen differently to each daughter, adapting my parenting to their individual needs. This autumn’s reunion in Vancouver will mark a new chapter in our family story.
Challenges and Growth as a Single Father
Balancing work responsibilities with active fatherhood across different time zones tests my organizational skills daily. I’ve developed systems to ensure I’m present for important moments despite my nomadic lifestyle.
Cultural navigation presents another layer of complexity. I work consciously to help my daughters embrace their multicultural identities—Korean, Vietnamese, Canadian, and Norwegian influences all shape our family experience.
The absence of a co-parent in the home means I must fulfill multiple roles simultaneously. I’ve learned to be both nurturing and firm, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing, but always learning.
My support network has become essential. Friends, family members, and even fellow digital nomad parents provide advice and encouragement when challenges arise.
