Pros and cons of raising a family in Japan: A united team, but an exhausted one

One big pro that I've found while raising my kids in Japan is that without extended family nearby, I've been forced to rely heavily on my husband, and as a result we've become a tight unit. We manage our jobs with the kids sick days, school events, and a myriad of other things without backup. In many ways, I think these kinds of situations can make couples stronger and more aligned.

In saying that, it's also exhausting. There's no easy handover, no casual babysitting, and no one to step in when you're burnt out or just need a break. Everything takes planning, and rest becomes a pipe dream rather than something that is a given.

I think you build resilience, but you also feel the weight of always being on. I definitely get a bit jealous of friends back home who have two sets of reliable grandparents, a laundry list of aunts and uncles, and so forth who can lend a hand at a moment's notice.