Relocating to a new country is already difficult for adults, but adding children into the mix can become even more daunting. You’ll want to be prepared for everything international relocation brings – and our tips for moving with kids can help. This blog will outline all the important guidelines to make moving overseas as smooth as possible for your little ones and you.
When Moving With Kids, Be Honest From the Start About the Changes
When moving abroad, it’s very important to be honest with your young ones. Explaining the situation to them in an age-appropriate way will help them understand what’s happening and make the transition easier for everyone. Honesty is always the best policy, especially when it comes to big changes like this.
Any kind of move can be hard for the children – after all, they’ll need to leave friends behind and start at a new school. However, things are even more complicated when you plan to move overseas because it’s when they need to adjust to an unfamiliar culture. There may be a lot of change all at once, which can be tough to adapt to. It’s important to talk to your children about the move ahead of time and help them prepare for it as best you can. Be their support and let them know that it’s okay to be sad and that you’ll be there to help them through the transition.
Be Prepared to Answer All and Any Questions Kids Might Have
When you announce the move, your children will likely have a lot of questions, such as those about relocation reasons. If you’re relocating for a job or have some other motive to move, present them to your young ones. However, if you have older children, prepare to go into more detail about your reasoning behind the move.
Let them know how they’ll be able to keep in touch with friends. Explain that they’ll be able to talk to their friends whenever they want, through many different apps. Even if you’re relocating across the world, let them know that that doesn’t mean they need to lose contact with old friends and the rest of the family.
Finally, address any specific concerns they might have. If they’re worried about leaving their school or making new friends, assure them that there will be plenty of opportunities for both in their new home.
Include Your Children in a Packing Process
Allowing your children to participate in the relocation process and including them in the relocation day preparations might be a terrific approach to increase their enthusiasm for the move. Additionally, it can aid in easing the transition for all family members – just make sure they are all old enough.
First of all, let them have a say in deciding what to keep when relocating. Whether it’s home decor, furniture, or their stuff, make sure children are involved in the decluttering process. Let them choose which toys they want to bring with them and pack their own belongings (with your supervision). This will give them a sense of control over the move. In addition, it can also be a fun bonding experience for you and your children.
At the same time, don’t focus all your attention on packing and other relocation tasks – especially if you have younger children. Try to keep their routine as normal as possible before and during the move. This will help them feel more comfortable and reduce the relocation stress they may be feeling.
Research Schools and Find the Best Education Options
One of your main concerns while moving internationally must be picking the best foreign school for your children. Therefore, extensive research beforehand is essential. However, before you start opting for a specific school in the new city, you must first decide whether you want to enroll your children in an international, public, or private school.
Public or private schools are a good choice if your move is definite, and you want your young ones to adapt as soon as possible. However, they will need to learn a new language fast (if they’re relocating to a country with a different official language) and adapt to the new curriculum.
On the other hand, selecting an international school that offers the same language and curriculum as your children’s current school is another alternative. It is preferable for older children or in situations where the move is temporary.
Once you opt for a school type, you should ask other parents from expat communities for advice about the best schools in your future area. Find and contact them through apps such as MeetUp, learn from their experience, and get first-hand information on which choice would be the best in your situation.
If You Have Toddlers, Investigate Childcare Options
Childcare options are worth looking into ahead of time to ensure your children will be well taken care of while you’re working.
If you’re relocating to a new country, here are some tips on finding a suitable sitter:
- Ask around – parents in your new community may know of someone who is reliable and trustworthy,
- Check with your consulate or embassy – they may have a list of recommended babysitters in the area,
- Contact a local agency that specializes in finding babysitters,
- Use an online service that connects you with babysitters in your area.
Once you find suitable candidates, make sure to interview them before you make a decision. Be sure to ask them about their experience, qualifications, and references.
Gather All the Necessary Documentation
Of course, a passport is the most important of many essential documents needed to travel abroad, regardless of how long you intend to spend overseas. If you don’t already have one, make sure you get it as soon as possible. Keep in mind that having a passport is a requirement for all children, regardless of age.
The second required document is a visa, which enables you to settle down in a foreign country. When getting a visa, check with the consulate of your future country for which one you should apply – countless visa types are different from one country to another. If you intend to live in another country for more than 90 days, obtaining a visa is necessary for all members of your family.
As for the other important documents, make sure you don’t forget to bring the following:
- Medical records,
- Tax documentation,
- Student records,
- Professional licenses,
- Financial documents,
- Important receipts,
- Marriage and birth certificates.
Hire an International Moving Company to Help You While You Are Taking Care of the Kids
It can be difficult to juggle taking care of the children while also trying to plan an international move. Hiring an overseas moving company can help take some of the stress out of the situation. If your financial situation allows it, get as much of the movers’ help as possible.
An overseas shipping company can help you with many relocation tasks. Team if international movers can handle packing and shipping overseas, and even customs clearance for you. With their help, you can focus on your family and make sure the move goes smoothly.
Still, when you are looking for an international relocation company, be sure to check their credentials and reviews. You want to make sure you are working with a reputable company that will take good care of your belongings. Ask for quotes from multiple companies so you can compare prices and services and choose the best team for the job.
Get as Much Help as You Can
Besides basic international moving services, you can also choose to get packing services and ease the whole experience. It means that all of that time you would spend on packing and taking care of your belongings can be used for bonding with your children and making sure the move isn’t too hard on them. As a bonus, your items will be packed by professionals who know all the best ways to prevent things from breaking and getting damaged.
Additionally, you can choose professional overseas vehicle shipping. In most cases, it would be the only way of transporting a car to a new destination abroad. Cars are a significant convenience for any family – even a necessity. Therefore, choose a company that can offer this service as well.
Prepare the Kids for Culture Shock
Culture shock is a common experience for anyone who travels to a new country or culture. However, it can be especially overwhelming for children, who may not understand why things are different from what they’re used to. When planning to live abroad, you can help your child prepare for culture shock and make the transition to a new culture easier – and here is how:
Talk to your child about what to expect
Explain that in a new culture, things will be different from what they’re used to. This includes the way people look, dress, speak, and behave. Knowing what to expect will make young ones adjust to a new country faster once they arrive.
Help them learn about the new culture before you travel
Read books, watch movies, or look online together to learn about the customs and traditions of the place you’ll be visiting. This way, your children will get a better picture of what awaits after the move, but will also start understanding the other culture sooner.
Encourage them to be open-minded
Remind them that people in other cultures are just like them, even if they do things differently. Seeing different cultures and ways of life can be a real eye-opener for them and help them appreciate just how diverse the world really is, so make sure you nurture this view of life in them.
Pack familiar items from home
Bring along your child’s favorite toy, blanket, or food to help them feel comfortable in a new environment. That way, they will have a part of their old and familiar world in entirely unfamiliar surroundings.
Be patient
Culture shock can be challenging for everyone, so give your children time to adjust. Try to keep things as normal as possible, show your children all the relocation benefits, and provide plenty of love and support. Don’t expect your children to adjust immediately, but be by their side every step of the way.
Ensure They Start Learning a Language in Advance
Learning a new language in advance will provide greater cultural understanding, but there are many other benefits to learning a new language, including:
- Improved academic performance – studies have shown that children who learn a second language tend to perform better academically than those who don’t.
- Enhanced cognitive skills – bilingualism has been linked with improved problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Enhanced career prospects – being bilingual can give your child a competitive edge when it comes to future job opportunities.
- Improved social skills – children who learn another language tend to be more outgoing and confident and have better social skills overall.
But that is not all – if you want your children to adapt faster, learning a new language even before the move is a good idea. Take a look at the video below for some useful tips on how to teach your children a foreign language:
Tackle the Moving Abroad Process as a Team, and It Will Go Smoothly
Relocation to a new country can be a stressful experience, but it’s important to stay positive throughout the process. Keep your family’s morale high by focusing on the excitement of the move and all the amazing new experiences you’ll have. However, don’t forget – it is a team effort, so make sure you’re supporting each other every step of the way. If someone is having a tough time, be there for them. Offer help and encouragement when needed, and celebrate each other’s successes. That way, moving with children will become a much more positive experience for everyone involved.
