Moving abroad is a hard change for people of all ages. There is a lot of changes to acclimate to, including culture, language, and even the differences in food can take some stomaching! It won’t all be bad, but it will certainly take some getting used to.
Kids tend to take it the hardest. Moving to another country can seem like the scariest thing in the world when the only thing you have to worry about is getting your homework done.
And it is hard to connect with your kids when they do not know what to expect; they might not even be able to tell you they are scared about moving somewhere else. That is why we have put together three great tips for helping them settle in below.
Be Ready For Tears And Tantrums
Kids cry because they are not quite sure what else to do with their emotions. Adults cry for the same reason, albeit less often. Either way, make sure you are ready to deal with tears and tantrums, both in private and in public.
Try to de-escalate these scenarios as soon as possible. Give your kids some room to let it out, do not rush them to stop crying, and try to walk through a few breathing exercises afterwards. Even when you are in the middle of the supermarket and everyone is looking, take your child outside and let them cool off before continuing.
Encourage Their Friend Making Efforts
Don not just tell your kids to make new friends – actively encourage these efforts by being as supportive as possible. Let them know their new friends can come for a sleepover, or you are happy to host a party on the weekend.
On the other hand, if friend making efforts are not going too well, sit and listen when your child wants to vent about it. And remember, do not let them give up hope! There are few friends out there for everyone and you have just got to work to find them!
Decorate The New Place Together
If you want the kids to like their new home as much as possible, make sure they take part in decorating it. When the kids have some say in what the place looks like, what furniture goes in, and they are able to choose everything about their new bedroom, the transition can be a lot easier.
So whether you are moving into loft apartments or a bungalow or a two story classic house, ask your kids what colors they like most, how comfortable the living room sofa should be, and what tiles should make up the kitchen backsplash. When kids feel involved, they do not feel ignored or forgotten about!
Are you moving to another country with a young family? It happens more often than you might think. If you feel alone in your decision, and the kids do not seem to want to talk about it, use tips like these to keep things as light as possible. You can also head online to chat to other parents who have been through it all before!
