Single Mom Trades Idaho For Dubai Adventure In Bid To Revive Family Ties

As a single mom of three, Jennifer Kusch made the bold decision to leave her life in Idaho behind and start anew in Dubai. The move was met with resistance from her teenagers, who felt like they were being “ruined” by their mother’s career ambitions.

Kusch’s journey began when her company offered her a job in Dubai last year. Despite initial reservations about leaving behind her home and family, she ultimately decided to take the leap. Her teenage sons, aged 15 and 13 at the time, were less than thrilled about the prospect of moving to a foreign country.

One of them said, echoing his brother’s sentiments, “You’re ruining my life.” But Kusch was determined to make the most of this opportunity. She explained to her children that they would be going on an adventure together and that they would have the chance to experience new things and broaden their horizons.

As she prepared for the move, Kusch realized that she wasn’t just doing it for herself – but also for her kids. She created a bucket list of things they wanted to do in Dubai, from visiting Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi to trying traditional Emirati cuisine. They planned out their adventures and tracked their progress on a wall covered in sticky notes.

The months passed, and Kusch’s sons began to thrive in their new environment. They attended an American curriculum school with students from all over the world, giving them a unique opportunity to make friends and learn new skills. And with their newfound independence, they were able to explore the city on their own, using taxis to get around.

As Kusch watched her children grow and change in ways she never could have imagined, she realized that her decision to leave Idaho had not only been good for her career but also for her family. The experience had brought them closer together, and she was grateful for the opportunities they had had to grow and learn in this new place.

Kusch’s 14-year-old son, who had initially been resistant to the move, now seemed to love Dubai and the freedom it offered him. “I’m so grateful that you moved us here,” he told his mother on Thanksgiving last year – a moment that warmed Kusch’s heart.

Despite the challenges of expat life, Kusch has no regrets about leaving behind her old life. As she looks to the future, she knows that Dubai will always be home – a place where her children have thrived and grown, and where she has found a sense of purpose and belonging.