Emigrating in 2019? How to Help Your Children Adjust

Moving to a whole new country is both a scary and an exciting experience. You can find a vast world of new opportunities and experiences there. However, it is bound to incite a whole lot of opposing feelings in both parents and their children. So, in order to make the move truly the best possible solution, you have to deal with these emotions, and spend time with your children. Depending on their age, it may be easier or quite difficult for them to accept the big change.

The good and the bad

Your children can feel quite differently in terms of moving to a whole new country. Quite often, they focus on the negative side. This is because they are often forced to leave their old friends behind, and along with that, the feeling that they belong somewhere. In their new home, it is inevitable for them to go through the phase where they are going to be newcomers who are going to have to adjust to the new environment and its rules. Furthermore, when they leave their previous school behind, they might also be dropping out of certain activities that matter to them, such as a drama class or a sports team.

If this is the case, you must pay special attention to preparing them for what is to come. Try and make them see the positive side as much as possible. After all, they are going to be living in a whole new country where they are going to have a whole lot of new experiences, and learn about a different culture. After adjusting to the new surroundings, they are going to have new friends, and new activities to look forward to. Basically, let them know how all of you are going to do better after you move.

However, there are also those kids who have had a negative experience in their previous place of residence. Maybe they have had a lot of trouble with the school and its curriculum, or the other children in their class rejected them. In this case, you should encourage them by letting them know that their new home is going to be a clean slate, and a whole new opportunity to get things right, and hopefully find a more favourable environment. Just make sure that you don’t build up exaggerated expectations.

How to deal with younger kids?

If you have a younger child, the task of making the move more convenient tends to be simpler. Start getting them familiar with the whole idea of the place you are moving to. Try finding a cartoon character, or anything of the sort, that the child can associate with it. If your child is really young, they will really love the idea of moving to a place where a fictional character that they love “resides.”

Don’t pack things in front of them, and make sure that the child doesn’t see or feel almost any of the tension involved. For young kids, security and control go hand in hand, so make sure that things change as slowly as possible for them. Talk to them about the new friends that they are going to meet, and help them gain a positive perspective of the big transition.

Once you’re there, find ways that you can introduce them to other kids as soon as possible. Women can join local groups for moms, where such a thing is very easy. Also, make sure that the child’s room is set up first, so that they can begin adjusting as soon as you get there.

How to deal with older kids?

Dealing with older children, especially teens, can be a lot more difficult. This is because they take more time to accept the big change, and become a part of the new environment. Furthermore, it is very important to note that emigration at this age most often has long-lasting effects on their lives and futures.

However, you shouldn’t be disheartened by this fact. It is crucial to understand how teenagers need to rebuild their identity after leaving their old school, friends, and activities behind them. Quite often, they will not be willing to do this, and you will have to face some difficult arguments. Make sure that you don’t allow them to attempt to manipulate you. They will often insist that if they do not like their new home, you will all move back to where you used to live. This, however, is a sort of trick, because it will enable them to do their best to make things go wrong after you have moved. Instead, try incentivizing them with big positive rewards.

It is very important that you show how excited you are about moving. It will spark their interest, and they will become curious about whether the new place can actually offer something better to them. However, you do need to encourage them to learn as much as they can about it before you go. They are no longer youngsters, so a cartoon character certainly won’t work, but getting to know as many possible things about where they’re going just might.

The legal side of moving

Of course, the immigration process has a legal side that you have to take care of. For example, if you are moving to Australia, you can make use of the Skilled Migration Visa classes. With them, the person applying will be able to get the Permanent Residency Migration rights for their spouse and kids as well. Not only that, but such a visa will enable your kids to have free education.

If you want your children to go to the University in Australia, they will not be categorized as International Students, which means that they won’t pay any extra fees. However, in order to get everything right, it would be wise to get legal help. If you’re in or around Sydney, this is going to be an easy job. It is quite simple to find the best migration agent, a Sydney based professional.

Final words

It is crucial to make the move a family event. All of you will be experiencing big changes, and this is an opportunity to bring everyone closer together. No matter how hard it is for your children to accept it, you have to let them know that you are there for them, and that you are going to help them with any problems that they might have.