When thinking about moving to a foreign country with your family there are many pros and cons to consider. We have set out some positive and negative impacts moving abroad can have on your children.
Having a job that suits you better than the previous one is already a plus for you and your family since your well-being and satisfaction affect all your family members. If you feel comfortable in a particular environment, so will your children.
Finding a better work-life balance is one of the popular reasons to move, and more than half of expats worldwide say that they have indeed found it in their host country. Healthy work-life balance enables you to spend more time with your family and thus strengthen the relationship with your children. With a fair share of free time you can reduce the omnipresent stress of the modern-day society.
Most children will benefit from the move in the long run. The new knowledge and abilities will help them thrive on during their later studies and career, as well as in life.
They will:
We’re happy that Norway – the home country of Håmsø Patent & Trademark Attorneys – is among the best countries to raise children in and that our expat employees can enjoy their family lives here. Find out why in our free ebook 'Life and Work in Norway'. |
While most children adjust more quickly than their parents, some face difficulties in getting used to the new environment. According to expat parents, the most common challenges are:
These are indeed very serious concerns.
To help your children get used to the fact of leaving the world as they knew it, discuss the move in advance. Explain to them why you are moving, where to and when. This way they will have enough time to get used to the notion of leaving familiar people and places behind.
Organise farewell parties and give them a chance to have a proper goodbye. After settling in, make sure to keep in touch with dear ones back home through social media or other means of communication.
A new country means a new language. Children usually do not have too much trouble with overcoming this barrier; they are much better than adults at picking up new languages.
Still, you can help them become comfortable with the new language as fast as possible.
Being thrown into unfamiliar environment, new culture, different societal norms and expectations can be scary to adults, let alone children. Ease this transition by celebrating old traditions while embracing new ones. Encourage your children to join various extracurricular activities that will help them boost their confidence, meet new friends and adjust more quickly.
Above all, moving abroad is an exciting adventure, especially when you manage to teach your children to see obstacles as challenges and how to have fun with finding solutions.
Learning ahead about various aspects of life in the new country and anticipating the possible challenges you are already half way of making your relocation an enjoyable experience for the entire family.