Planning an international move with your family can be a stressful experience. As well as organising your household items, moving documents and accommodation you will want to ensure your children are comfortable with the idea of moving to a new country.
If you make moving fun and involve your children as much as possible, this will help make the transition easier for them.
Fun places to visit
By using Google maps, you will be able to find key attractions and activities in the new area such as parks and museums. Print out the map and ask your children to place stickers on the map for all the places they want to visit. This can be a really fun experience and get them excited about all the interesting things they can do in their new area.
Leaving party
Host a leaving party for your children so they have the opportunity to say good bye to their friends properly. Give them a note pad that their friends can put email addresses and contact numbers in for them to keep in touch. Take lots of pictures so that you can take them with you to the new location.
Personalised travel case
Allow your children to get their own personalised travel case and let them pack a few of their favourite items or toys to travel with on move day. Allowing them to have a few of their favourite items will provide comfort and keep them occupied during the journey.
Decorate the new house
If possible take your children to see the new house before you move in. If you aren’t able to because the location is far, then take pictures and show them the house. Visit a furniture shop and allow them to choose the colour scheme and the items they would like to have in their new room.
Minimal disruption to term times
Move during a time that is going to cause minimal disruption to their education. The best times to move are when a school year has finished or during term time. This way, they will be starting a new year with everyone else. International schools are a good option if you want them to continue with a similar curriculum.