Emigrating abroad with a family is a very involved process and will take a lot of consideration and planning. It can be an incredibly exciting time but for children it can also be a period of considerable upheaval; moving to a new house, a new school and a new culture is a big step. After many years of moving families to destinations across the world, we’ve put together some top tips to help ease the process of organising an international move with children:
Really research the schools that you want to send your children to. It’s easy to be caught up with impressive websites and brochures but you’ll need to see beyond the promotional materials and find out if the school is right for you. Factor in the practicalities of travelling to and from the school. Is it a reasonable distance and will it fit into your daily routine? If you’re opting for private schooling and relocating for an employer, it’s worth discussing this with your company as some will contribute to educational fees as part of the relocation package.
Be excited about the move. Moving internationally is a big upheaval and as adults we can become caught up in the stresses, strains and worries of it all, but if you project the negatives of the situation all the time, children pick up on it and it becomes a negative experience for them. At its worst this can be quite anxiety inducing for the child, because they will start to think that there is something to worry about- that something bad is going to happen.
Hobbies are important. If your children have a hobby, encourage them to take it up once they are in the new destination. It will not only provide a sense of continuity as you move from one country to another but it will also open up the opportunity for them to meet other like-minded children, make friends and ultimately foster a greater sense of belonging.
Involve them in the moving process. When it comes to deciding on what you want to take with you and what to leave behind ahead of the international moving company, try to make your children feel that they have an involvement and have a say in what’s going on. Even for younger children, allocating a box to them for them to fill with their favourite toys that they want to take with them, will make them feel involved and help them to understand the process more. Feeling more involved is important to make them feel that they have a greater degree of control over what is happening rather than feeling that everything is happening to them and without their input.
If you’re planning an international move and would like to speak to our experts about the process of moving your household effects overseas, then please don’t hesitate to contact us on sales@burkebros.co.uk or via 01902 714555. Updates on international moving can always be found on our social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) so check out our pages and follow us.
