Moving to a new country is one of the most exciting adventures a family can have. But there’s no denying that it is a huge deal, and can be a massive challenge, especially when you have children. Uprooting your life and starting fresh in a new place can be daunting for everyone involved, from the youngest to the oldest members of the family.
The beginning of the year is a time for new beginnings, and whether you are searching for popular destinations to retire like Panama or Costa Rica, or moving to a new country for work, planning a major move requires careful preparation.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to help ease the transition. The guide below will help you make moving abroad a much easier prospect for both adults and kids.
Research and Preparation
The most important part of relocating is research and prep. Before you embark on the move, it is essential to conduct thorough, detailed research into your new home, so you are ready for anything. If you’ve got a solid handle on the culture, climate, cuisine, education system, healthcare facilities, and overall lifestyle, then any surprises that come up will be far easier to handle. A great way to help your kids with the transition is to involve them in this research, as it will make them feel included, give them agency, and spark excitement about the change.
Open Communication
Keeping your kids in the loop is a huge part of a smooth transition. It is really important to talk openly with your children about the move and to encourage them to ask questions and express any concerns they might have. It is important to be honest with them about the challenges, but also to highlight the things they can look forward to, like new friends, new experiences, and new places to explore.
Visit the New Country
If you can, a trip before you move can help familiarize you and your kids with your new home. Whether you drop in for a weekend, take a road trip across the country, or explore the wonders of your new country by taking a cruise, a pre-visit is a great way to build excitement and reduce anxiety. It is also a great chance to do more practical things like visit potential schools and explore the neighborhood.
Stay Positive and Supportive
Your kids will take their cues from your behavior, so it is important to be positive and upbeat about the move. This can be a challenge as relocating is stressful at the best of times, and more so when it means moving to a new country! But providing emotional support and good vibes to your children will make everything flow smoothly, so it is worth it in the long run.
Cultural Orientation
One of the biggest challenges of moving to a new country is adapting to a different culture. Luckily, you can get a headstart on this process with your children with a little cultural orientation before the move. If they speak a different language, get your kids to start learning a few helpful phrases. Encourage them to read books and watch movies from their new home, and even try cooking some traditional recipes to get them used to the new flavors. This will make the culture shock far smaller when it is time to move.
Moving to a new country as a family is all about adaptation and adjustment. There will be challenges, but by embracing the change in a positive and supportive manner, and keeping your kids involved throughout, you can make this huge leap into an exciting adventure!
