Guidance whenever you need it
Guidance for International Families Living in the United States
Practical help understanding schools, healthcare, college preparation, housing, insurance, taxes and everyday life in the U.S.
- 25 yrs
- living and parenting in the U.S.
- 8
- areas of family life covered
- Any moment
- whenever you need guidance
Our mission
Answers when you need them
Every family reaches these decisions at a different moment. Our mission is to be there at that moment — with clear guidance, before the deadline passes.
The school system, health plans, college admissions, housing, taxes, workplace benefits and the small details of daily life: each one arrives on its own schedule. Whenever yours arrives, you have somewhere to turn.
About me
I have been exactly where you are
I am a Brazilian mother who moved to the United States 25 years ago and had to figure everything out alone — adapting to daily life, decoding systems, finding the right services and making countless decisions along the way.
And it never really stopped. Years in, already settled and fluent, I found myself learning how college preparation works from scratch — and discovering that some of it should have started much earlier. That is the part no one warns you about: the questions keep coming long after the move is over.
The internet and artificial intelligence help — but they do not always have the answer your family needs.
Every move to the United States involves different circumstances. Much of the information available online is generic, outdated, or does not consider your family's profile, priorities, and moment.
iParent USA turns questions into practical, personalized guidance, helping you understand your options, avoid mistakes, and make decisions with more confidence.
That is why I created this service: to give families the guidance I wish I had — at whatever stage they need it.
Services
What you can get advice on
Guidance for the decisions that show up at every stage of family life here — whenever you need it.
School system
From daycare to 12th grade
School zoning, private vs. public, enrollment, the academic calendar and breaks, gifted programs, AP and Honors, VPK, ESOL, accommodations, extracurriculars, tutoring, parent involvement (PTA), daycare, preschool and elementary school.
Learn moreCollege preparation
Start in 8th–9th grade, not senior year
When should we start? Should we open a 529 savings plan? What are the ACT and SAT, and which suits my child? Do high school credits count for college? Does my child need a tutor? What do I need to know to help them prepare?
Learn moreReal estate
Renting now or buying later
How renting and buying differ in practice, how cash and financed purchases compare, what families typically look at when choosing a home or a city, and which property tax benefits exist. Educational overview — we refer you to licensed realtors and lenders.
Learn moreHealthcare
Every open enrollment
How PPO and HMO plans work, what deductibles and copays mean, how primary care and specialist referrals work, FSA, concierge physicians, urgent care vs. the ER, maternity and other leave, vaccinations, and how to research a doctor's record. Not medical advice.
Learn moreInsurance
Before you need to file a claim
How auto, home, liability and umbrella coverage work, and what the claim process generally looks like after a car accident or damage to your home. We explain the system and vocabulary — we do not sell insurance or handle claims.
Learn moreTaxes
Every year you live here
How sales, income and property taxes work at the local, state and federal level, and what to expect each year. General education only — we do not prepare returns or give tax advice.
Learn moreCorporate World
New job or new benefits season
What a 401(k) and employer matching are, how PTO works, employee stock purchase plans, FSA and HSA, what is optional versus required, and how to read a W-2. We explain how benefits work — not which investments to choose.
Learn moreEveryday life
Whenever something new comes up
Document authentication and apostilles, credit score, driver's license, community services, money transfers at home and abroad, online grocery and pharmacy orders, kids' screen-time controls, roadside assistance, traffic tickets, driving lessons, summer and sleepaway camps, youth sports and school transportation.
Learn moreContact
Let's talk about your specific needs
Send a message and we will get back to you with next steps and a time for your free consultation.