Our girls are dual citizens which is something I felt was important. It could be considered a little bit odd for the fact that I myself have retained only my American citizenship. Even though I am married to a British citizen and have lived here for a decade.
Why them and not me? It’s not that I think that America is better, each country has it’s pros and cons. However, I still even after a decade, refer to America as home. It’s possible to have two homes. One there with my family and one here with the family I made for myself. For them they have family here and there in a more rooted fashion.
It is important to me for them to have the choice of which country they’d like to live in the future. It’s not a decision my husband or I can make for them. Even though I know one day they may live very far away from me.
My parents let me go. Not that they could have stopped me. I am only just realising how hard that must of been for them as the girls get older. Although it could be years before that might happen I’m already dreading it.
One could argue that even without dual nationality they could make that choice as I did, but at least for them it will be a lot easier. One of the pros, the big one, is that they will never have to worry about tedious yet necessary paperwork like I did and will do if we ever make the move back. The cons come really when things are bad. Like if either of the girls become criminal masterminds - different laws and stuff or if another world war rears it’s ugly head - as loyalties could be questioned.
Until they are full grown adults and I know longer have any official say in their decisions I will continue to take them every five years to renew their passports for each country. There will always be non-threating treats to accompany us. Like these Cookies & Cream Rice Krispie Treats or squares. Rice Krispies and Oreos are the same thing in both countries. So, you don’t have to be a dual national to enjoy these!
Cookies & Cream Rice Krispie Treats
75g butter
250g marshmallows
200g (approximately) chocolate sandwich cookies
1 tsp vanilla extract
Line an 9x12 inch baking pan with grease proof paper. Blitz about 150g of the chocolate sandwich cookies aka Oreos in a food processor until they are nothing but crumbs. Place the remaining 50g in a ziplock bag and bash with a rolling pin.
Melt the butter in a saucepan, once melted add 200g of the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Take off the heat and mix in the blitzed cookie crumbs and vanilla until smooth. Add the Rice Krispies and the remaining 50g of marshmallows mix until it’s all covered. Moving fast put in your lined tin and smooth the top with a spatula or large spoon. Sprinkle the rest of the smashed cookies on top and press down. Leave to sit for 2 hours or more on warm days. Cut into squares. They keep up to 5 days in an airtight container not that they would last that long.
What a great combination, the cakes and the children!
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