5 Tips for Easing the Transition
You’ve made the decision to move your family abroad — congratulations! This is an exciting time, and your family is in for a big adventure. While there are many benefits to living overseas with children, the initial transition can be difficult. Following are five tips to make the move abroad a bit smoother for both you and your children.
#1 – Include your children in the conversation.
Moving abroad is a big life event. Your children will likely have lots of questions and may be uneasy about moving far away. Younger children may not understand what it means to move abroad. For example, if the concept of moving is new, they may worry they won’t be able to take their favorite items with them or wonder if they can still have regular play dates with their friends back home. Older children will likely have anxiety about leaving their friends and starting at a new school.
One of the best ways to help ease your children’s anxiety is by having open, honest discussions. While the ultimate decision to move is yours as the adult, allow your children to have input on certain decisions, such as how to decorate their new rooms and what type of school they’d like to attend. Talk about how they’re feeling, and work together to navigate whatever challenges arise as you plan your move.
#2 – Bring some familiar items with you.
Bringing some familiarity with you on your move can help children feel at home sooner. While you will likely need to ship most things overseas, consider carrying some key items with you. For example, you may want to bring your children’s bedding from home so that they immediately have a familiar place to rest.
Also, consider packing some familiar non-perishable foods with you. Learning to eat the local cuisine can be difficult for children, but having some familiar food available can help ease the transition.
#3 – Make plans to stay in touch with friends.
It’s especially important for teenagers to maintain relationships with their friends from home as they transition to life abroad. If you’re comfortable giving your teens access, social media can be a great way to stay in touch without the challenge of navigating multiple time zones. Email can also be a great solution. And, of course, phone calls and video chats are always effective ways to keep in touch.
#4 – Start learning the language.
The sooner your kids are able to communicate in the local language, the more comfortable they’ll be. Make learning the language a fun family activity by taking a class together or using an app such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone.
