1. Do not underestimate: your abilities - I have often found myself saying to myself that certain things can’t be done, that I can’t make it… but then my determination helps me try everything I want to. Sometimes it is clear that I am not perfect at everything, but I try. I try to learn new things for my graphics work, which is always changing. I try to be a good mom... this is how I discovered I had potential and interests I didn't think I had. Now, after my second pregnancy, I have even discovered I have the potential to learn to love myself, and to be able to love my family even more.

2. Do not overestimate: having to do everything on your own. When my second child was born I thought I could do everything on my own and I would never need help, but then I discovered that every now and then it is good to ask others to do things we would like to do ourselves. Sometimes we too have to concentrate on our needs and our dreams.

3. If you need help: ask for it. Use words to express what you need, even if it is just a coffee. Nobody can enter your mind and understand what you need, not even the people who know you best. Silence and unspoken words breed misunderstandings. Have no fear to express yourself and ask for what you want.  If you need your husband to do something in the house, ask - you'll discover he is not lazy, he simply doesn't know what to do.

4. You won’t manage without: a moment of me-time. In the evening I need to have half an hour entirely on my own, during which I sort out what has happened during the day, I quietly drink a cup of herbal tea and listen to the silence in the house. When everybody is sleeping I write down my thoughts or read a book and the next morning I am ready for the warmth of my family's hugs.

5. My motto for when I are desperate: obvious but true, every cloud has a silver lining.

Do not underestimate yourself: both in terms of resources and limits. Because if on the one hand demanding to much of yourself may be stressful in the long term, insecurity also does not help, in fact it often blocks the right decisions.

Do not underestimate the future. Do not let negative times and difficulties get you down too much. With children, family and work, you will always be faced with phases that pass and give way to new phases. When there's little to be done about a situation, I just sit and wait. Sooner or later something good will come along. And everything always changes.

Do not overestimate the lives of others. From the outside everything may seem easy and perfect, but I can assure you that this is not the case.
Never overestimate the opinions and words of others. People speak from their own experience, way of being and personal life. This will never coincide with your own experience. Do not overestimate your fears and anxieties. They are like shadows, they seem much bigger at midday than they really are.

If you need help look for it and delegate. Don't feel guilty if you need to take time out for yourself. Try to rest every now and then everything will seem easier! Do not take everything on you own shoulders, there is also a daddy in the family, don't discount him, he can learn as much as you did.

Don't be without: everyone will tell you that you can't be without children and I agree that this is really true, but I also advise you to take some time out for yourself every so often. Regenerate the body and mind and relationships!

Her motto for desperate times: Panta Rei

Now Elena has started another activity, WorldWideParty. She makes themed decorations for birthday parties and special occasions. Learn about her creations and “taste” them in the free download section. I bet you'll love them!

1. Do not underestimate your abilities, the little girl inside you who really wants to play and, most importantly, your instinct. It is amazing how, in the end, our instinct guides us in the right direction.
As I moved from place to place from one part of the world to another, I discovered that our resources and inner strength are far more than we realize and expect. Fear is often our limit and we think we can’t do it. Then magically we always succeed.
Love for our children and the survival instinct that makes us fight for everybody’s well-being - that, no doubt, is the most precious lesson I have learnt since I moved abroad!

2. Do not overestimate what you hear, read, what other people “advise” you to do and what other people think. With my first child I was always ready to take notes of everything I was told. I took everything at face value. You later learn that not everything people say is always right. Yes, listen to what people say, then use your brain.

Too bad if somebody doesn’t agree (there is always somebody who disagrees). Your life is your own and you must go ahead with courage and perseverance. In this case, too, moving abroad taught me a lot - partly because living in a foreign country, far away from your family, makes you stronger. You find yourself in the middle of a different culture. You can learn a lot but you can also feel very lonely, so you have to pull yourself together and believe in yourself!

3. If you need help… ASK FOR IT!!! It is amazing how much we women struggle to ask for help. Why? I personally had to learn to manage on my own and I am still working a lot on it. I still have problems managing the kids. I have never had a babysitter because I have never trusted anyone. But this year that the children are a little older I have given in and have started enjoying my husband’s company without little ones around. There is nothing bad about asking for help, quite the contrary. It means accepting your limits and helps you improve. Most importantly you don’t end up exhausted.

4. You won’t manage without… Since I started living in the US I have become American, so my answer is that I couldn't survive without a tumble dryer and a huge refrigerator.
And here is my answer as an expat Italian: in whatever part of the world I live in, I couldn't manage without my coffee machine, Grana cheese and Skype, which allows me to spend some time with my family and that, if you live abroad with children, is crucial.

5. My motto for when you are desperate: “baby steps” is an American expression to say that you should do one thing at a time. You can manage by taking one small step, then another and so on. Problems and obstacles must be dealt with a little at a time - just as unforgettable moments must be truly enjoyed!