Things you need to do when moving to a new country with kids!

I wanted to share some thoughts that are based on my experiences. I hope it helps someone out there. I’d recommend a high level of empathy on this one.

Moving to a new country, a new city, means a new school, new friends, new neighbors, and a whole different life for your kids. If they cannot handle change well, they’re probably gonna have a tough time fitting in. Their confidence is likely to take a hit. This is especially true if you’re moving to a country where a different language is spoken, in which case language courses will be needed.

If you know your kid’s an overthinker, it’s wise to remind them of all the positive aspects of moving to a new country. Chances are they are already micro-analyzing every negative aspect.

Don’t make them worry about money problems. Worrying about finances is the adults’ problem. If they want to buy or get something expensive or unaffordable, explain to them why they can’t have it, but keep it short. Instead of making it seem impossible, offer them solutions. Maybe they could find a job online and utilize their skills if they have any. If not, they can always try something new, as there are many skills to be learned online.

Check the local community centers for activities that may be held there. Maybe they could play sports, which is a good way to meet new people and learn a new language through a hobby they like.

Always be involved in their lives, but don’t be controlling. If they’ve chosen to isolate themselves, they’re probably going through a tough time and they simply don’t know how to deal with the change. Chances are it’s their first time dealing with a change on such a big scale. If it’s not their first time dealing with change during their childhood, you need to ask yourself twice if they’ve actually navigated well enough through that cobweb before they get entangled in a new one.

Just be there for them. If they come to you with questions, don’t be judgmental. Instead, try to understand their point of view, where they’re coming from, and how they’re feeling, and make them feel safe enough to come back to you for future problems that they may face. The last thing you want is for your kid to be lost in a strange new environment.

Accept the fact that they’ll be different from you because they’re growing up in a much different world from the one you experienced and grew up in. They’ll have different preferences such as any other child but also different values, manners, and even beliefs that are strange to yours.

Being their parent will always come first. However, being their friend is as important. Don’t force things on them. It may sound cheesy but you have to let them make their own choices, their own mistakes and learn to fix them. And lastly, be there when they need your help because trust me, they will and the last thing they, themselves, will want is not being able to come to you for help.

I hope everyone reading this is okay and well. I pray it all gets resolved if things are not going as planned.

On a final note, I want to say that even if a bad thing happens to you, it does not necessarily mean that it’s truly bad, rather, it could be a preventative measure to keep something worse from occurring. In that regard, what you perceive as bad may in fact be good, but you do not yet realize it.

Take it easy.

Peace :)

Things you need to do when moving to a new country with kids!