Moving can be a difficult process, but if you add that it’s to another country and with a whole family, it is completely normal that this big change brings stress and worries.
Depending on the country or new destination to which you are moving, this will involve adapting to a new environment, culture, or perhaps a different language. Including having to find a new home and school for your children, and say goodbye to family and friends.
Deciding to live abroad is not easy. And if the reason for the move is a job assignment, a priority should be that your partner and children adapt to the change. Therefore, we share with you these tips that will help you ease the pressure and perhaps improve your family's experience in this relocation, allowing them to enjoy the process and get excited about meeting new people, their country and culture.
1. Make decisions as a couple
In a change as important as moving to another country, the decision should be considered as a couple. Keep in mind that if your spouse supports and accompanies you in the foreign job assignment, it does not mean that they should completely abandon their current life. If your husband or wife has a stable job, take the time to investigate the possibility of working for the same company in the new destination. If this is not possible, be sure to discuss it in advance so that you can look for a new job well before you move.
2. Research the new location thoroughly
Before making a decision and involving your children, it’s important to research everything about the country or city in question. From its culture, lifestyle, and economy to its traditions, entertainment, and cuisine. Since the future is uncertain, children, like anyone else, can feel fearful and anxious, so being informed and presenting them with a clear picture of where they will be moving to will make them feel more secure.
Nowadays, there is the technology that helps research the country and observe the streets, their next school, or even home. This can help them become more familiar with the environment and understand the reality of the situation.
3. Involve your children as soon as possible
As soon as the decision to move is made, introduce the topic to the children. They may pick up on it if you begin to withhold information. Encouraging and opening up the conversation about what are their fears or opinions will be the basis for creating a healthy family environment. Encourage them to research the new country or city and try to get excited during the process, deciding what belongings to take with them and packing them.
4. Take a trip beforehand to get to know the place
If possible, take a family trip to the destination where you will be moving. If it's a place with a lot of tourism, you could travel a few days in the low season to be in contact with the citizens or locals. This will help them get used to the idea and to better visualize their next life, the work reality, and the food, among other aspects that may calm the anxiety that such an important change can provoke.
5. Apply for language courses or intercultural training
(Find out more about expatriate benefits)
The company that asked you to work abroad will likely include benefits. Make sure that these benefits, such as language courses or cross-cultural training in the new country before you move, are also available to your family members. They, like you, will be in an unfamiliar place and it will be easier to adapt if they can learn to communicate in the local language.
6. Prioritize your children's education
You must take the time to evaluate where your children will attend, be it school, high school, or perhaps university. As a recommendation, moving at the beginning of the school year may be the key to facilitating their adaptation during the relocation. This since they can integrate better by not being the only new classmates entering.
In terms of language, you should consider enrolling them in a bilingual school, offering them the security of speaking a familiar language and integrating them into the cultural experiences of the new destination. Likewise, it is recommended not to decide on a house or apartment before selecting the school, since transit or transportation may be part of the adjustment for the whole family.
7. It's important to have quality family time
Before the move to the new destination, you may be focused on legal aspects, paperwork, or packing your belongings. However, you should not neglect how your children are feeling. Make sure you give them time to say goodbye to their home, school friends, or relatives. They can even visit their favorite places or restaurants or organize a farewell party with their friends. Anything that helps to bring closure and excitement for the new beginning.
Once you are settled in the new home (before starting work or on weekends and off hours) it is recommended that you spend as much time as possible with your family. You can explore the city to get to know the surroundings better, meet neighbors or visit recurring places in the city. In all of this, it's helpful to maintain an enthusiastic attitude, which will have a positive influence on the children.
8. Maintain a stable routine and old traditions
Sticking to the family routine and maintaining some traditions can be a great way to generate a sense of stability in the face of so much change. As soon as you arrive in the new country, you should try to keep doing everything the children are used to. It can be things as rudimentary as watching an episode of their program every night or having a particular breakfast on weekends.
9. Keep in touch with family and friends
Nowadays, and thanks to technology, keeping in touch with our loved ones is very easy. Whether by video calls, chats, or other means, it's important not to neglect communication with family and friends left behind in your old home. Take care of these relationships so that children in particular don't associate this change with losing closeness with their loved ones.
10. Contact other expatriates
A good suggestion would be to look for an online forum or group of expatriates living in your next destination. As it comes from their own experience, they can give you the most valuable information and advice to support your family's adaptation. Even once you are in the new place, you can meet more expats, being an excellent way to socialize and create friendships in similar processes as yours.
11. Engage with the community and get involved with the country
When you're settled in, it's important that you also start to socialize with the locals and not only with other expatriates or people of the same nationality as you. It's also necessary to get to know the new culture, customs, language, and even festivities, partly to learn how to communicate and not to offend by mistake.
It's likely that in your job you will be able to create relationships with local people. However, your family will have to resort to other tools to do the same. Some options to meet people would be to practice a sport for the children and a course, work or studies for your partner.
12. Select a place to live and build a home
To select the new apartment or house, take into consideration what your family members are used to and the most common type of construction in the destination country. Be sure to consider the safety or accessibility of the surroundings and ask for photos or even a virtual tour (a common service in real estate agencies) if the company you work for is in charge of finding housing for you.
As mentioned above, it's essential to continue with family traditions and always do what you can to form not just a house, but a home. It can be as simple as placing family memorabilia, family furniture, or photographs.
13. Remember to create a patient and empathetic environment
The search for a job, school, and the whole relocation process requires a lot of physical and mental energy and can generate stress for your partner and children. To alleviate this pressure, the key is to be empathetic and show your understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices they made as a family. Also, settling in after the move and adjusting to the changes may take time, so be patient and try to support them in whatever they need.
The key to coping with changes, such as a relocation to an unfamiliar place, is to stick together as a family and listen to each other. Yes, adjusting to a new culture, language, food or climate takes time and dedication, but it will always be worth it in the end.
âś” You can visit our article for more tips on what to do before moving to another country.
If you’re preparing your move to another country, discover the 9 things that can happen to any expat in our next article.
