Supporting Your Kids Through the Big Move Overseas

Find ways to support your kids through the big move overseas and help them adapt to their new environment with ease.

Supporting Your Kids Through the Big Move Overseas

A family move overseas can feel like a never-ending list of to-dos. After all, there will be lots of paperwork to complete, items to pack, and cultural differences to learn about. This can be an overwhelming process, and it can become even worse if your children react negatively to the news.

Some children will be excited about this change, but there will be times when a child feels lost and uncomfortable as they face this new chapter. As a parent, this can be challenging to handle, but you must make an effort to support your children throughout this process, both before and after.

With the help of this post, US families moving abroad can learn how to support their children through a major overseas move.

Tell Them Early and Be Honest

The first step to ensure your children are sufficiently supported during this time is to keep them informed. This means letting them know about the move early on in the process, and you must be honest about it. An early and honest approach can provide your kids with reassurance and a sense of stability during a stressful time, which is preferred over surprising them with a major upheaval.

Moving is a significant change that can cause anyone to experience a wide range of emotions, from sadness to excitement, but this is particularly true for children. An honest explanation about why the family is moving abroad, what this entails, and how everyone should proceed is vital. Transparency will reassure your children that you are a reliable source of information, strengthening the parent-child bond.

Consider how you approach this conversation before engaging. You will need to tailor the conversation to your children’s ages to ensure everyone understands. For example, while older kids may worry more about their friendships, younger children could be more focused on which toys they can bring. Regardless of their concerns, you must address all questions, even those that seem trivial to you.

Throughout this conversation, it’s essential to make it clear that it’s okay to feel angry, sad, or scared about the move. Acknowledging and empathizing with your children’s emotions can help model healthy emotional regulation, rather than dismissing their feelings.

Involve Them in the Planning

After telling your children about the move, you should make an effort to involve them in the planning process. While this approach does address the fear of the unknown, it can foster a sense of control by giving them input on decisions. Even though the children cannot decide on the move itself, you will allow them to make smaller decisions, such as choosing paint colors for their room, which helps prevent feelings of powerlessness.

Involving your children in the moving process can also provide a sense of ownership over the entire situation. This allows them to help with packing their own belongings, planning, and researching the new culture, which can turn a passive and intimidating event into an active and manageable one. They are more likely to feel more comfortable and at home in the new environment, even if their personal items are limited initially.

There are ways to make this process more enjoyable as well. If your children are more visual learners, creating a “vision board” together using magazine cutouts and glue can help them depict their ideal life in the new country. You should also show them their new home and neighborhood through virtual tours or videos, like those available on Google Maps and real estate websites.

Arrange Special Goodbyes

Leaving everything familiar behind can be disorientating and frightening for a child, especially if they do not get to say a proper goodbye. This is why parents should make the time to arrange memorable farewells, which can enable children to process and gain closure from this significant life change. Your child is more likely to transition smoothly into their new life abroad afterwards.

No matter the type, a goodbye can mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Whether you host a farewell party or your children invite their friends for one last sleepover, this gives your kids a concrete final memory of their family, friends, and old home. It is better to do this than avoid goodbyes, which could leave your child with feelings of anger, confusion, and/or regret.

If you do not have the resources to host a party, your family could visit all the beloved spots around your hometown. This might include a favorite park or restaurant, allowing you all to reflect on the good times that were spent there. It can also be special to create a scrapbook with mementos and photos from your child’s friends and favorite places, as this will serve as a tangible reminder of their past life.

 To conclude, moving overseas as a family can be an exciting experience. You, your partner, and your children will be starting a new life in an unfamiliar environment, which can open many doors and opportunities. However, this can also be a scary process, especially for kids. With this in mind, you must try to support your children as best you can throughout the move.