Moving Abroad with Kids: How to Make Relocating Easier for Them
Sometimes parents have to move abroad and take their family with them. There are many reasons people move away from home. Some adults need to relocate because of work while others do so because the area offers a better quality of life.
Whatever the reason, taking kids abroad can be quite a difficult venture to navigate around. Parents often wonder if their child or children can cope with such a drastic change. If you’re thinking of moving abroad with your kids, read on and learn a bit more about how to make the journey easier for them.
2010 photo/Lasse Fuss
Preparing Your Kids for the Big Move
1. Inform your kids about the move ASAP
They can’t prepare themselves mentally if they don’t know about the move. Make sure to inform them about your relocation abroad several months in advance to give them ample time to get used to the idea.
2. Help them learn the traditions and cultures in their new home country
Do some research about your potential new home with them. Learn about the culture and traditions in the new environment.
You could also enroll them in a language class. Communication is essential when moving to a different country, especially for kids. They need to be able to express themselves to others, like their classmates, to create bonds and friendships. Building good relationships with the people around them in their new home will help them adapt easier to the relocation.
3. Make sure they are involved
Talk to the kids about the move and figure out ways they can be involved. For instance, put them in charge of packing some of their belongings.
Helping Your Kids Adjust to Their New Home
Take note that the adjustment period, especially for older kids, might take time. However, you can help make it smoother if you keep the tips below in mind.
1. Find the right school
School is where your children will be spending the majority of their time when they aren’t home. So it is crucial to find an excellent educational institution that will challenge your children (so they don’t get bored). It is also valuable to find one with after-school activities or summer camps that could pique the interest of your child.
If possible, do some research on schools in the area around your new home before the move. There are providers of international moving services that can do more than just safely transporting your possessions abroad. Some removal companies do offer school and education packages in which you can see a professional consultant who can help you find the right school in your city of choice.
2. Fill your new home with familiar items
A different country with new people, cultures, and traditions can be a lot to take in for a child. It helps to be surrounded by familiar items or remembrances of their old life for comfort when they get too overwhelmed.
Make your new home that place of comfort. You could decorate it the same way you did your old house. Cook the same dishes (if you can find the ingredients), too. The familiar delicious aromas could soothe your kids and help them associate their new home with good memories of their old one.
3. Explore your new surroundings
For the first couple of weeks or even months, take the time to explore the new surroundings with your family. Start with signing up for tourist activities, even if you and your family aren’t just visiting. Then later, dig a bit deeper and visit spots that only locals would know.
The more you explore,the more exposed your child will be to their new environment. They’ll be able to learn and observe the people and culture which will help them understand how things work in that country. Once they have a better idea of the new society they’re surrounded with, they’ll be able to adapt.
Advantages of Growing Up Abroad
There are advantages to being a third culture kid (as they are aptly called). It is widely believed that third culture kids develop specific characteristics, like good observation skills, higher adaptability, and linguistic skills that make them well-rounded individuals. They also develop a more comprehensive view of the world and tend to think out of the box.
So if you want to take that leap and move abroad with your kids, do it. Just take things slow and always be there for your child or children to help them adapt. Talk to them about the change. Be involved. Learn with them and grow with them in your new home.
AUTHOR BIO
Robert Wise, Sales Administration Manager at Nuss Removals, has been a respected figure in the removals industry for over 20 years. His attention to detail and the ability to truly understand the needs of the customer have ensured the successful relocation of thousands of satisfied individuals and families. For moving and storage across Australia and around the world, Robert’s wealth of experience ensures his customers are in safe hands.
