Moving abroad with children means starting over – trough documents, school, healthcare, adaptation and emotions. Here, you’ll find practical guidance and real experience to navigate this journey with more clarity.
life in portugal through the lens of an
immigrant mother
This is space is for you – if you are a mother who…
- Is considering moving to Portugal with children
- Has already arrived and finds the adjustment more challenging than expected
- Worries about schoool, healthcare, and her children’s well-being
- Carries feelings of guilt, fear, or loneliness – even knowing she did what felt right
Here, you don’t have to pretend everything is fine.
Where to begin
Moving to Portugal with Children
A complete guide for mothers
Everything you need to know before taking this step. A practical and honest guide, built from real experience, to help you navigate this journey with more clarity and confidence.
The person behind this space
Hi! I’m Cristiane, creator of the Jornada da Mãe Imigrante. I’m Brazilian, a mother, a professional, a wife, a daughter and immigrant. Jornada da Mãe Imigrante was born from my own experience as a Brazilian mother who moved to Portugal.
When we decide to move abroad with children, we often talk about opportunities, safety, and quality of life. But very little is said about the emotional impact of that decision — especially for mothers. Over these past eight years in Portugal, I’ve experienced school adaptation, a new pregnancy, navigating the healthcare system, cultural differences, rebuilding my professional life, loneliness, and also the quiet grief that many mothers feel when leaving their home country behind.
This blog was not created to romanticize immigration, nor to suggest there is a single right path for every family. It exists to offer practical guidance, support, and reflection — so that each mother can make more conscious choices and feel a little less alone.
A practical checklist for this journey
A practical guide, built from real experience, to help you navigate the steps before, during, and after moving abroad with children. If you’d like to keep it with you, you can download it below.