Preparing Your Children For an International Move
For any family moving overseas with children, all help is usually gratefully received. Relocating anywhere in the world entails huge adjustments for everybody in the family, however, depending on their age, children may feel more emotional and powerless than adults considering they often have less say in the matter.
The good news is: children are often more resilient and open-minded than grown-ups, which can help the whole family make moving as painless as possible.
The team at Allied UAE can certainly help relocate your children out of the Emirates and we’re a great resource of knowledge if you get stuck along the way.
Here are some things the team at Allied has learned about moving with kids.
Keep Talking
The most important part of making any domestic changes with children is to communicate properly. In some ways, moving to another country creates an exciting diversion because the whole family has a lot to talk about. There could be very good reasons why any family needs to move from Dubai. By involving your children in the decision-making process you gain allies.
One of the most important things for your children will be friends. They will probably be anxious about losing the friends they have and be concerned about how to make new ones in their new home.
Reassure them that it’s not the end of the world and make sure they have everyone’s contact details before the big move. Children love socialising with other children, so research what’s available in the way of playgrounds, indoor activity centres and other entertainment for kids in your new country.
Smooth Transition
Moving from the UAE with children will need a lot of documentation and preparation. Make sure you have a checklist so nothing is forgotten. Help your child also make a moving checklist, which may involve saying farewell to certain friends and carers.
Your children will need their own passports and depending on where they are moving, you may need to renew the passports before you go. Take nothing for granted. If there are visa or other requirements for your move, make sure your children are properly catered for, otherwise you may not be able to board your flight.
Give your children the choice of what to pack for your move. It will probably not be possible to take everything with you. Choosing what to take and what to leave behind helps children process the move they are about to make.
If your child enjoys a hobby or interest in the UAE, do some homework and find somewhere in your new region that provides the same activity. Go on the internet and download information and brochures. Share this information with your child and show them you care about what is important to them. This will give them something of their own to focus on and will help them feel less alienated.
On the day of your move from the UAE, your children will need closure. They will need to have said goodbye properly to all their friends, teachers and anybody else involved in their lives. Make sure your kids know what luggage to take with them and what is being shipped, so nothing gets mixed up and essentials aren’t held in transit.
Be Optimistic
With the right preparation, moving to a new country can be an adventure your children will relish. There is no shame in asking for help. To talk to the experts at Allied UAE about moving overseas with children, visit our website or give us a call on (971) 4 818 0400.
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