How to Successfully Move Abroad with Children
Moving is never an easy task. It comes with uprooting your life and your routines and starting anew in a different place. If you are suddenly facing the big move abroad, the main tip to avoid unnecessary stress is to turn to some international removal companies like Blissmoving for example, that will carefully and professionally handle your things and deliver them to your new address intact and on time. It is difficult enough to transfer your life to another place, so you don’t want to face disheartening issues regarding the transportation of your properties. Transferring to another city or town is truly taxing but it doesn’t compare with moving to another country, especially when you have kids to think about. Here are some ways to make moving abroad with children a smooth process.
Be conscious of your children’s specific needs. Moving is not only a stressful thing for parents; even children suffer. As such, it is necessary to adjust your moving to fit your child’s needs. While babies and toddlers are much easier to deal with, there are situations that call for reflection before moving. Don’t suddenly pull out your children in the middle of the school year as it can affect their emotional state. If possible, do it during holiday months when they are more relaxed and in a playful mood. As such, they will take the whole experience like an adventure. Teenagers might have a more challenging time adjusting to the idea but once you make them understand the situation and you make them feel assured, they will get used to the situation. You just need to give them time to adjust to the idea on their own pace while respecting their needs and dealing with their issues and concerns.
Plan the whole move. Never surprise your kids with a sudden announcement of moving to another country, if you can avoid it. Doing so will get you a hostile response especially from older children as they do not like their routines and lifestyle suddenly disrupted. Make them understand the reasons by approaching them in a calm and supportive manner to make them slowly accept and adjust to the whole idea. Prepare them for the move by giving them information regarding the culture of the new place. It would be great to start learning the language with your kids if the country you are moving to uses a different one. Make sure that the place where you are moving will provide a good environment for the entire family so everyone can easily settle down. Choose a new house that will provide a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere where it will be called home. The neighborhood should also provide an environment where they can make new friends, go to a good school, and find positive opportunities for fun and entertainment.
Make your new place like home. It would be easier for everybody to settle down to the new environment when you see things familiar. You can start hanging family photos or placing around objects that make everybody reminded of growing up together. Don’t drastically change routines where everybody has to scramble to adjust. Utilize old routines in your old homes if possible so you and your children will have an easier time getting used to your new place. Be a constant presence in your kids’ daily challenges so they will always feel your support which will help them to easily accept and continue on with the new situation.
Article written by Mary. J. I hope you find this information helpful.
You have made some valid points there. If you can involve your child as much as possible about the move the whole prospect wouldn’t be so daunting to them. Also, don’t take for granted just because your child is still young that they wouldn’t need a lot of support and reassurance. I remember moving from the Philippines to the UK at the age of 10, and it was very hard! Unfortunately, I didn’t have the support of my parents, as it was an ‘adult decision’ it would have been nice if they involved me in the whole process!
I also agree with ‘Make your new place like home’. Whether its photos or their favourite foods from back home, the small details are important! 🙂
Great post Meg! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this Ria. I too remember moving quite a few times when I was a child – leaving friends and having to start all over again in new schools in a new State. I also know that was hard on my mother too who had to also try to make new friends and fit in with new people and make a home for us all in a place she didn’t know. Moving is not an easy thing to do on both a practical and an emotional one too. Even though I sometimes really like the idea of moving our family to the States so my children can experience life in the USA, I know how hard it would be on them – especially on my older two who are at the high school age. I know that sometimes moving to another country with children is unavoidable so doing all you can to involve them in what is happening can make it easier for everyone. Thanks Ria! 🙂
From our most recent moving experience, we had no choice but to relocate in the middle of the school year. Yes, it was tough leaving a well loved school, but the kids all agree that it was actually a good experience joining a new school mid year! Everybody wanted to get to know the new kids and they were almost celebrities! So it’s not always a bad idea/experience to move mid school year. Just wanted to give a positive experience on that aspect 🙂
Brilliant. Thanks so much for your comment Pam. Of course, sometimes it’s not possible to time a move with school years so it just has to be done and everyone has to make the most of it. I have a British friend who moved to USA for a short period of time mid school year with middle school and high school age children. They also said it was a challenge but worked out fine in the end. I think as long as parents talk about what’s going to happen and not let it be a surprise or something negative then that will really help.