What Should You Consider Before Moving Abroad with Children?
Moving abroad with children requires some prior considerations, such as the difficulties they will face while adapting to a new place, the changes in their routines, having to leave their friends behind, and the basic needs that must be met in the new country to ensure their well-being. Of course, it’s a difficult decision that goes hand in hand with many challenges.
In order to face them, it’s a good idea to carry out a preparation process in order to mitigate the stress involved in the entire move. But what should this include? As several doubts arise in this regard, here are some recommendations.
What you need to know about moving abroad with children
Many things can motivate you to move abroad: Job opportunities, the desire for a better quality of life, the possibility of having access to housing, an interest in experiencing the customs of another culture, and so on. Whatever the case, the decision is a challenge that is accompanied by expectations, fears, emotions, and doubts. How can you prepare to move abroad with children?
1. Basic needs in the new country
The first thing to think about when moving abroad with children is the options that will be available to cover their basic needs. It’s a good idea to investigate what the school system is like and what alternatives are available in terms of health–public or private.
The latter is quite important, not only because unforeseen events may arise that affect your health, but also because children require regular check-ups with a pediatrician. In this regard, you can take advantage of services such as those of Foyer Global Health, which offers international health insurance exclusively for expatriates.
In general, it’s possible to access different types of coverage, according to individual or family needs. In any case, it’s a way to have peace of mind when facing a move abroad with children, as it covers both routine medical expenses and those that may arise due to emergencies.
2. Emotional challenges for the child
At any stage of life, a move abroad represents an emotional challenge. This can be exacerbated in the case of children, as they don’t always understand the reasons for this decision. This is compounded by stress and frustration due to the change in culture, having to say goodbye to those closest to them, and leaving behind places they once loved.
Emotions such as rebellion, anger, sadness, and nostalgia are normal in this process. What can you do about it? First, recognize these emotions and validate them. Help the child to understand what’s happening to them, and also to imagine positive scenarios in the new country. In difficult cases, it’s good to consult a psychologist.
3. Support the child’s preparation
Reviewing some images or videos of the new country, showing interesting facts about the new culture beforehand, and reinforcing the language are ways to prepare the child for this experience.
4. Carry out a farewell ritual
For all family members, saying goodbye is one of the most difficult moments. In the case of children, your need to give them time and space to process their emotions. In any case, it’s good to carry out a farewell ritual with the people closest to them to favor the process of acceptance. A party, a meal, or an outing are good options.
5. Maintain routines
Inevitably, many of your child’s routines will be altered by the move abroad. However, it’s important to try to resume them as soon as possible. You may need to make some adjustments, either to your schedules or activities. If so, try to involve your children in making decisions to make it less stressful for them.
The experience of moving abroad with children
No one says it’s easy to start a new life with children abroad. However, it brings with it experiences and opportunities that can be very rewarding. The important thing is to prepare in advance and put everything in order to take care of any unforeseen events.
