5 Tips For Moving Abroad With Your Kids

Written by Britannia Movers International

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Moving abroad can be quite a stressful experience in itself, but when you are moving abroad with your children, there'll be additional challenges to face. Kids like stability and are accustomed to their surroundings, friends, school and even their room at home. By removing them from this safe environment, you can make them stressed and depressed if you don't handle the situation well. It is thus important to pay careful attention to your kids' needs when planning the moving process. By involving and encouraging them, you can make the moving process an altogether positive experience both for your kid and the other members of your family. 1. Involve Your Children In The Moving Process It's important to involve your children from the start as much as you can. This way, they'll feel that they have some control over the moving process, and can decide important details concerning them, though this will also obviously depend on the age of your child. To involve your kids, let them organise their own stuff and pack their rooms, and decide what they want to take with them and leave behind. 2. Answer their Questions and Create Excitement It is essential to give your children as much information about the moving process and the destination country as you can. This will make them feel safer about their new life. Different kids and age groups have different questions and concerns, so it's important to respond to your kids' specific needs. Tell them about the new country, show them pictures, and be enthusiastic about the prospect of moving. This will make them excited about the move as well. If they feel sad about the prospect of leaving their friends behind for example, assure them that even though they won't see each other that often now, they can still keep in touch, and make sure that they exchange addresses. If they are older, they will need less of your help, as they can easily keep in touch through Facebook or other social media sites. 3. Teach Them About the New Culture Whether you are moving to France or Japan, there will be some significant cultural differences that your child will have to adapt to. It is thus important to prepare them for these differences, and to try to familiarise them with the new culture as much as you can. If possible, organise a short trip to the destination country and tell them as much as you know. If they are old enough, you can give them books or online resources to read that are relevant to the new country. 4. Prepare Them For the Language Barriers If you are not moving to an English-speaking country, one of the biggest challenges for your child can be the different language that the locals speak. Even if your children eventually go to an English-speaking international school, it will help them socialise and understand the local culture if they have at least a basic knowledge of the local language. Hire a tutor while still in the UK if possible, and once you are in the new country, make sure that your kids get enough support to learn the new language as quickly and easily as possible. 5. Research School and Other Activities Decide if you want to enrol your children in a local or international school and put together a list of suitable schools by the time you arrive. If your children are old enough, it is important to involve them in this decision as well. Once you are in the new country, you can visit all the potential schools, preferably with your children, and choose the most suitable, always listening to what your children have to say as well. It is also useful to look into some extracurricular activities (such as sports, music, theatre or volunteering) your children could be doing once you move abroad, and discuss these options with them. The sooner you create a routine for them in the new country, the easier will it be for them to adapt to the new situation and to find their place.