New beginnings are two words that have become my middle name over the past decade.

Israel, Poland (Krakow), Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland (Warsaw), Serbia, and New Jersey. My family and I have lived there for less than ten years. A journey that began with two kids and continued with three.

New beginnings came with adjustments to so many new things: locations, languages, cultures, food, mentality, currency, people, educational systems, and the list goes on and on….

Having so many new beginnings and adjustments in a person’s life is like sailing the ocean. Some days, the waters are calm; others are stormy. The only stable and clear thing was my understanding that I have an essential and central role in my children's lives. I was the key figure in their daily routine, from the moment they woke up until bedtime, especially in countries and periods where it was more challenging to find educational frameworks suited for foreign children, particularly in places where the local language was not their own.

Being part of the international community, it was beautiful to see that no matter what country kids came from, Spain or Poland, South Africa or India, Nigeria or the USA, the play was a common language to all kids. They communicated through shared play even when they didn't share a common language. In the playground, the absence of verbal communication never limited their connection. Through games, whether kicking a ball, building with blocks, or pretending to be superheroes, they found a way to interact, collaborate, and form bonds. In these moments, language barriers faded away, and the universal nature of play emerged.

Interactive play became a tool that connected them, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging despite the differences in their backgrounds or mother tongues. It reminded me that, at their core, children are united by their need to play, to express themselves, and to connect with others.

Technology is a powerful resource for our development, and there is no doubt that it has some downsides. But it can’t replace our educational and physical needs as a species. Children’s essential regulatory development is only possible through interactive experiences. The outward progress of our world cannot change that.

Making adjustments and staying up-to-date doesn’t mean leaving behind all the beauty of the past but finding a straightforward way to create an effective balance between these two worlds.