Managing transfer overseas for pre teens

[Hatesf1]

Two DDs - 10 and 12. We are moving overseas, we have too, no other option. Elder in particular (understandably) devastated at leaving friends. Any tips from people who have been through this on how to manage the transition.

Move is Australia - we will go on January so they start the school year.

Go as early in January as you possibly can and treat those first few weeks very much as holiday time. (Even though you will have a gazillion things to do.) Having 4 weeks on school holidays in the sun whilst all their friends are doing double geography and walking home in the dark is going to take the sting out of the move.

Thanks @Mumofteenandtween im not going to work initially until then settle at school but fear I will be a poor substitute for their missing friends!

Did it work out ok? Did they settle?