Relocating to a far away place can be terrifying for most children. They are being taken away from the comfort of their home, home town, school, perhaps other members of the family and, of course, their friends. The relocation industry has learned over the years that children must be attended to in order for the parents to be successful at their new assignments. “We have learned that you ignore the needs and concerns of your children at your peril,” said David Muir, CEO of Crown Relocations EMEA division. “A relocation can interrupt a young person’s life significantly.”

Human Resource professionals are well aware of the industry trend toward taking care of the “whole” family in order to reduce the stress in a child’s life during a move. Companies now understand that the focus cannot only be on the requests of the transferees and the trailing spouses. Children also have specific needs and if they are not fully addressed the chances of a successful transition is reduced.

Relocation companies are developing dynamic programs that include interactive “kids-specific” websites; children’s guides, partially written and illustrated by children of the destination country, which inform children of where the country is, with a short history lesson, what the weather is like, language differences, places to visit, food to eat and the holidays that the country celebrates; activity kits with maps and coloring books; and companies are also holding contests so kids can express themselves in the forms of photographs or poems and stories all in relation to their move.

“If a relocation is handled carefully and sensitively, it can become a huge opportunity to experience another world for children, and to gain a true global perspective,” said Muir. Relocation companies are also aware that age differences don’t prevent children from having a difficult time – from five to fifteen or eighteen, if a relocation company includes the children then the move can become a very positive experience for the whole family.

Human Resource professionals should reinforce the positive as well; make certain that the relocation company they choose has consultants that began laying the groundwork for the move long before it actually happens. And parents must also reinforce and remain optimistic, setting an example for their children. It is consequential that everything is prepared – familiarization with the new school and community, after school activities and the attitude that this move is a good thing, a new beginning for their children to learn and grow.

By preparing the children for the move, keeping their insecurity at a minimum, the whole process will run smoother and give the transferee a better opportunity to succeed. It is a team effort between the Human Resource division, the relocation consultants and the family. If the team takes the time and effort to treat the family as one equally important unit, then the adjustment will be much easier for the children.