Moving house is often cited as one of the most stressful experiences we go through and children are definitely not exempt.
How much a child is aware of the process and the implications will largely depend on their age. Toddlers will be more concerned with their immediate surroundings and perhaps changes in carers whereas for older children leaving family and friends and potentially changing schools are often the key causes of anxiety.
Add moving country to the mix and the situation can be amplified further with additional hurdles to navigate. At Premier we have extensive experience moving families and have some top tips up our sleeves to make the transition for children as smooth as possible.
Our five top tips to getting it right
Tip 1: Getting to know a new country
Ahead of moving, watching films and reading books as well as YouTube videos of the new destination, will make it all more familiar, less daunting and more exciting. Once you’ve arrived, take the time to get to know your new country and neighbourhood. Spend time exploring all the things that will be important to children such as parks, libraries and shops. If one child has a passion for something such as dinosaurs then look at what a new city has to offer e.g. The Natural History Museum in London.
Tip 2: Minimise the stress
Children are perceptive, and very good at picking up on emotional cues and signals. Moving house can be stressful moving country even more so, therefore have the process managed by an experienced team who know what they’re doing and will make the whole process as easy as possible for the whole family.
Tip 3: An adventure for the whole family
Moving home signals the start of a new chapter in the family’s life, and the opportunity for children to live abroad even for a brief time can be an exciting adventure that shapes their lives. If the parents are enthusiastic, the children are also likely to see this as a positive step and be excited.
Tip 4: Navigating the cultural divide
Changes in language, food and customs can potentially be difficult to navigate. It helps if parents can speak to expats who have already gone through the process or locals on the ground to find out where these cultural divides may exist. For example, if your child loves Marmite on toast every morning and the new country is unlikely to sell it then pack a supply with you! Don’t underestimate how important something so simple can be.
Tip 5: Last out first in
To minimise disruption, pack up the children’s rooms last and make them the first rooms you set up in the new home. When moving country, there can quite some time between moving out of one property and into the next, so it makes sense for the children to be able to keep a few of their favourite things with them. If your air or sea freight takes longer than expected at least the children will have their special clothes, electronic gadgets or cuddly toys to hand.
If you are looking to relocate talk to us about how we can make this a smooth transition for the whole family. For more information about any Relocation requirements contact the experts Premier Corporate Relocation,
Please contact Barbara on + 44 (0) 1962 793100, / +44 (0) 7770 815325 or via email.