Home Is Where the Family Grows : Expat Moms Share Their Mauritius Journey

For many mothers, family is an essential source of support. But for expatriate mothers raising children in Mauritius, that support often lies thousands of kilometres away. On this Mother’s Day, three expatriate moms open up about the joys and challenges of motherhood abroad, the moments when they missed home the most, and how Mauritian family values and community spirit helped them build a new sense of belonging.

Reneeta Sandhu: “Mother’s Day is a time of reflection on the unique journey my daughters and I share in this foreign land”

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For many expatriate mothers, building a life abroad comes with both rewards and sacrifices. For Reneeta, originally from Singapore, the decision to settle in Mauritius after marrying her Mauritian husband was driven by a desire to offer her children a different kind of upbringing—one centred on balance, well-being and personal growth rather than relentless academic competition.

Today, Reneeta is a mother of two daughters aged 9 and 13 and works in an international school. While Mauritius has become home, the journey of raising children far from her own family has not always been easy.

“I moved to Mauritius after getting married to my husband,” she explains. “I decided this was the right place to raise my children because it offers a more relaxed lifestyle compared to Singapore, where competition is fierce and grades often overshadow the overall development of children.”

For Reneeta, Mauritius presented an opportunity to give her daughters a childhood that prioritises more than academic achievement. “I believe that Mauritius could offer them more, a better quality of life that emphasises balance, well-being and personal growth,” she says.

Yet choosing Mauritius also meant leaving behind the support network that many parents take for granted. “I find myself missing my family every day while raising my children in Mauritius,” she admits. “Their absence becomes especially palpable when my children are unwell; managing everything on my own can feel overwhelming without the support of extended family.”

The challenge extends beyond moments of illness. School holidays can also be difficult for a family where both parents work. “My husband and I are both working, and I often wish I had family nearby to help with childcare,” she utters.
The absence of grandparents and close relatives is felt most strongly during important milestones in her daughters’ lives.
“I particularly feel the void during significant moments in my children’s lives. These are the times that truly highlight the importance of family,” she confides.

Watching her nieces and nephew grow up surrounded by grandparents back in Singapore often reminds her of what her own daughters are missing. “When I see my nieces and nephew thrive with the support of their grandparents, it underscores what my children are missing out on and deepens my awareness of the unique challenges we face.”

Festive periods are especially emotional for our expat mom. “I tend to miss my family back home the most during the festive season when everyone gathers to celebrate together. Here in Mauritius, we celebrate very low-key, and I often think about the traditions and the love of family that my children are missing out on. It’s a time when family and togetherness matter most, and the absence of my loved ones during those occasions weighs heavily on my heart,” she declares.

Despite these sacrifices, Reneeta remains convinced that Mauritius offers an exceptional environment in which to raise children. “Mauritius offers a peaceful and all-rounded environment, where children are encouraged to grow without the pressure of a rat race,” she says. “It’s refreshing compared to Singapore, where competition can be overwhelming.”

She believes the island’s strong family values and community spirit play a major role in creating a nurturing environment for children. “The emphasis on family values and community life creates a supportive atmosphere for children to thrive,” she notes.

Mauritian Family Values and Culture

Living in Mauritius has also reinforced values that were already important in her own upbringing.

“Mauritian families are quite similar to my own, emphasising togetherness and community support. I’ve learned how important these values are in raising children. The sense of unity among Mauritian families resonates with my upbringing, reinforcing the idea that family bonds are vital,” she says. 

Over the years, her family has embraced many aspects of Mauritian culture. Her daughters have developed a taste for local cuisine, with ‘mine bouillie’ and ‘dholl puri’ becoming firm favourites.

“They also enjoy celebrating Holi, a festival we don’t have back home, and the vibrant colours bring excitement to our family traditions,” she says.

At the same time, preserving her Singaporean roots remains important. “We appreciate both cultures in our home. My daughters are encouraged to embrace the diversity around them. We all come together to call Mauritius home, and it’s essential to honour and integrate with the local culture,” she explains. 

As Mother’s Day approaches, Reneeta reflects on the unique experience of raising children abroad.

“Being a mother abroad on Mother’s Day is a time of reflection on the unique journey my daughters and I share in this foreign land,” she says. “It’s a reminder of the milestones we’ve conquered together and the experiences that enrich our lives.”

While she continues to miss her family in Singapore, she has found a sense of belonging in Mauritius. “I’ve embraced the journey, learning to cherish both our Singaporean roots and our experiences as a family immersed in Mauritian culture.”

Diana Neenooth: “Motherhood Abroad Has Taught Me to Be Strong, Brave and Independent”

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For Diana Neenooth, an Indonesian expatriate living in Mauritius, motherhood has been a journey marked by resilience, adaptation and gratitude. A wife, mother of two sons and self-employed pastry entrepreneur behind Fusion Cakes, she has spent the past 15 years building a life far from her homeland while raising her family on the island.

Like many expatriates, it was love that first brought Diana to Mauritius. “I’m married to a Mauritian, and that’s what brought me here to stay,” she says. Over time, she became convinced that Mauritius was the right place to raise her children. “I saw through my in-laws’ family that the education level here is good. That’s how I trusted Mauritius to raise and pursue the education of my children.”

Leaving Indonesia, however, meant leaving behind her family and support network—a reality that was particularly challenging during the early years. “Fifteen years back, everything was very hard. But with the development of technology and multimedia, the distance has become shorter because we can keep in touch with family abroad much more easily,” she utters. 

She is also grateful for the support she received from her Mauritian relatives. “My in-laws always made sure I never felt the absence of my own family too strongly. They helped me feel that I was not lacking despite being far from home,” confides Diana. 

Despite finding a second family in Mauritius, there are still moments when the distance weighs heavily on her heart. “Definitely, I have those moments,” she admits.

Festive periods are particularly emotional. Growing up in Indonesia, celebrations were large family gatherings filled with relatives and shared traditions. Living abroad has changed that experience considerably.

“When festive occasions come around, I remember celebrating with lots of family members back home,” she says. “Here, my children and I don’t always have close family around us to celebrate with, and those moments can be difficult.”

While Mauritius offered stability and educational opportunities for her children, Diana believes that parenting challenges have evolved over the years.

“At the moment, Mauritius is not necessarily the ideal or unique place it once was to raise children,” she says candidly. “Everything comes back to guidance from the family first. Otherwise, children can easily be influenced in the wrong direction.”

The key role of parents

For Diana, the role of parents has become more important than ever in helping children navigate modern-day challenges.
Her years in Mauritius have also taught her valuable lessons about parenting and family life. “One thing I’ve learned is not to rely on anyone and to be independent,” she says. “I’ve also learned the importance of respect—respecting people from different beliefs and backgrounds.”

Education remains another value she strongly promotes. “Learn as much as you can and aim for higher education,” she advises.

Over the years, integrating into Mauritian society has come naturally. Diana says she has adopted local customs, traditions and foods into her family life almost effortlessly.

“Yes, automatically,” she says with a smile when asked whether Mauritian traditions have become part of her household.

At the same time, she has sought to preserve her Indonesian roots while allowing her children to develop their own identities.

“My approach is to walk the talk,” she explains. “I don’t impose things on them. I give them the freedom to choose while teaching them the values that matter.”

As Mother’s Day approaches, Diana reflects on what motherhood abroad means to her after all these years. “Gratitude and blessings,” she says simply. “I am grateful to be a mother and grateful for the family we have built together.”

Her experience has shaped a message she hopes other mothers—particularly those who may feel isolated or dependent—will take to heart.

“Always be strong, brave and independent,” she says. “Especially for mothers who stay at home, never rely completely on anyone else. Keep yourself active and keep learning something new.”

Marie-Laure Blaise: “Motherhood is not always easy, but it is one of the most beautiful journeys”

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When Marie-Laure Blaise left France eight years ago for Mauritius, she did not expect the island to become much more than a professional opportunity. Yet over time, what began as a career move evolved into something far deeper: a place where she would build a family, raise her daughter and create a new sense of home.

Today, the marketing consultant describes Mauritius not as a temporary destination, but as a country where her family has found belonging.

“At first, Mauritius was mainly a work opportunity. But over time, I really came to appreciate the island’s peaceful rhythm, the warmth of the people and the quality of life. Today, Mauritius truly feels like home for our family,” she states.

For Marie-Laure, one of the island’s greatest attractions is the environment it offers children. “It felt like a safe and balanced place where children can grow up close to nature and strong family values,” she says.

Like many expatriate mothers, however, building a life abroad has come with sacrifices. Chief among them is the distance separating her from her loved ones in France. “It has definitely been one of the hardest parts of being an expat mother,” she admits. “There are moments when you wish your parents or siblings were nearby for support, advice or simply to share everyday memories.”

Motherhood, she says, has taught her to adapt. “You learn to become stronger and to build your own support system abroad.”

Although technology has made it easier to stay connected, certain moments cannot be replaced by a phone call or video chat.

One memory remains particularly vivid. “When my parents met their granddaughter for the first time, she was already one month old,” she confides. “She was their first grandchild and the first girl in the family. It was a very emotional moment for all of us.”

The experience highlighted both the joy and the heartbreak that can accompany expatriate life: celebrating major milestones while being separated from those who matter most.

Yet despite these challenges, Marie-Laure believes Mauritius offers a unique environment for family life.

“I think Mauritius offers a beautiful balance between simplicity and quality of life. Children can spend time outdoors, enjoy nature, beaches and a slower lifestyle compared to many big cities,” she declares.

She also appreciates the human dimension of life on the island. “There is a strong sense of community and kindness that makes family life feel more connected.”

The importance of togetherness

Over the years, living in Mauritius has broadened her understanding of parenting and family values.

“Mauritian families taught me the importance of togetherness and generosity,” she explains. “I admire how family bonds remain very strong across generations and how people naturally help each other.”

For her, these lessons go beyond raising successful children. “It reminded me that raising children is not only about achievement, but also about love, respect and community.”

One of the aspects she cherishes most about life in Mauritius is its multicultural character. Her daughter is growing up in an environment where different languages, traditions and cultures coexist naturally.

“Absolutely, we have adopted many aspects of Mauritian culture. My child enjoys Mauritian food, and we have picked up Creole expressions in everyday life like ‘Mo bien content’ and ‘Ayo’,” she shares.

She believes such exposure enriches a child’s development. “I love the multicultural spirit of Mauritius, and I think it is enriching for children to grow up exposed to different cultures.”

At home, however, maintaining her French roots remains equally important. Rather than seeing the two cultures as competing influences, she views them as complementary.

“I try to keep our traditions alive through language, food and stories from our home country, while also encouraging my child to fully embrace Mauritian culture and friendships,” she says.

Her philosophy is simple: children do not have to choose between identities. “I believe children can grow up with multiple cultural identities, and that’s actually a strength.”

As Mother’s Day approaches, Marie-Laure reflects on the lessons she has learned since becoming a mother abroad. “Being far from my own mother has taught me resilience, gratitude and independence,” she says.

It has also deepened her appreciation for mothers everywhere. “It makes me appreciate even more the sacrifices mothers make around the world.”

Her message to fellow mothers, whether Mauritian or expatriate, is one of solidarity and self-care. “To all mothers in Mauritius — whether Mauritian or from abroad — thank you for the strength, love and care you give every day,” she says.

“Motherhood is not always easy, but it is one of the most beautiful journeys. Be proud of yourselves, support one another, and never forget to also take care of your own happiness.”