To move family abroad temporarily

There absolutely is a best age for it and it has passed. I wouldn't do this at these ages, it's so, so disruptive.

At 10 no i wouldn't unless they 100% wanted too and could understand the basics of what it meant

Just the one place, or would you be moving around?

My parents were both teachers, and they did a teaching and house exchange with a teacher couple when me and my siblings were younger.

I was 9 my siblings were 7 and then 5

We went to Canada for a year and it was a fantastic experience for us all but we were back in the UK for secondary school age, my Mum said she wouldn’t have taken us as teenagers.

We are still in touch with the other family now years later. It was seen as quite adventorous in the 1990’s!!!! We went in the August and came home at Christmas and also Easter but secondary would have been harder

Yes absolutely go for it! Children who have had some adventure and experiences like this make for more interesting and more cultured adults. They will adjust quickly and making new friends and learning a new language will be a fantastic addition to their lives.

If the job is secure and education is paid for, I think you’d regret not going! In my experience once you do make the transition, try not to return ‘home’ too much. Kids need to learn that their new home is home. Otherwise they won’t feel settled.

Providing your husband is on board with it I’d do it. I presume schooling would be in international school so won’t be an issue.

If the schools are international and your 10 year old isn’t going to be thrown into a fully French/Dutch school then go for it! I heard you say about DH moving jobs too - I wouldn’t want to force my DH to move if they didn’t want to, but if they were supportive then why not! It might not be easy but what a thing to say you’ve done years from now, and the kids!

I would do it. I think the 2yo will be fine. It will be harder for 10yo.

My family moved abroad when I was 9 and dsis was 11 for 1 year (meant to be more but things changed).

We both found the move very difficult initially, missing friends, family, "home", and adjusting to the culture shock of a new country and language. But we did settle in, start to make friends and picked up the language very quickly.

As an adult looking back im grateful for the experience and think it broadened our horizons. I lived abroad as an adult again twice for short stints (1 yr each) and think that experience when young gave me the confidence and courage to do so.

Is it moving around between all those places or one location? And do you choose when to come back or is it up to work somewhere between 3-5 years? I would love to live abroad (though not those particular locations myself) but I would struggle to take my ten year old away from their friends. What does DH think?

There's not gonna be a 'best age' for it tbh, so just do it. Your kids will eventually thank you for it 👍

Horrible ages to temporary move. Too late I think many ways and too early in others.

Not with a 10 year old….not only exams etc but friendship groups

Locations? Will you be in one place or moving about?

I wouldn’t do it with a ten year old as coming back in 5 years messes with exams and stuff.

It sounds like it could be a lovely adventure but the age of your oldest child probably not. Youngest would be fine.