Supporting kids during move

[Hearmeroar2]

This is inspired by a comment I read on another forum where someone said they were making a collage of life in their country with their kid, as a way of supporting them through emigration. I thought that was such a lovely idea! Does anyone have any other clever ideas about how to support children during a move? Talking to them and reassuring them obviously, but anything creative or out the box?

We made up a list of pro's for moving to the new country, and pinned it on the wall.

We gave them permission and encouragement to share all their feelings, all the time about moving - the good, the bad and the stuff you hear in your nightmares as a parent. . .

Bribery helps, too. . .

Social media and technology can be a double edged sword when it comes to kids maintaining their friendships back home. It's hard when it's summer over there, and everyone is enjoying fab' holidays, and you're stuck in the dark manky rain over here, up to your eyebrows in covid restrictions, lol. My youngest (she was 12 when we came over here) really only started accepting and making an effort at her new life over here when she herself decided that was going to do a social media ban.

If you can find new hobbies that they can explore in their new life, that helps - e.g. one took up archery, and art in a serious way.

If you can find a ready supply of some home foods that can help - for us it's watties tomato sauce and Delisio chips, lol..

We moved country every 3-4 years when I was growing up, largely pre-social media.

My parents would encourage me to be as social as possible in the first year or so to settle in. We didn't do memory boards or anything like that - is this the first time you are moving?

@MeAndMyAttentionSpan

We moved country every 3-4 years when I was growing up, largely pre-social media.

My parents would encourage me to be as social as possible in the first year or so to settle in. We didn't do memory boards or anything like that - is this the first time you are moving?

No, I'm moved country 5 times now, but first time with children who are old enough to remember/understand what is happening.

@mbosnz

We made up a list of pro's for moving to the new country, and pinned it on the wall.

We gave them permission and encouragement to share all their feelings, all the time about moving - the good, the bad and the stuff you hear in your nightmares as a parent. . .

Bribery helps, too. . .

Social media and technology can be a double edged sword when it comes to kids maintaining their friendships back home. It's hard when it's summer over there, and everyone is enjoying fab' holidays, and you're stuck in the dark manky rain over here, up to your eyebrows in covid restrictions, lol. My youngest (she was 12 when we came over here) really only started accepting and making an effort at her new life over here when she herself decided that was going to do a social media ban.

If you can find new hobbies that they can explore in their new life, that helps - e.g. one took up archery, and art in a serious way.

If you can find a ready supply of some home foods that can help - for us it's watties tomato sauce and Delisio chips, lol..

Ooh, good advice thank you. Mine (similar age) don't have social media yet, but I can totally see how it would be a double edged sword. I like the hobby idea too - something they have been wanting to do which acts as a motivator and friend maker.

How old exactly?
What always helped mine was normality ASAP. Being settled in school was a big one. Plus an extra curricular activity of their choosing. Having their room decorated (wall stickers).

What didn't help was treating it as a holiday. It makes the accepting of the new life harder.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

How old exactly? What always helped mine was normality ASAP. Being settled in school was a big one. Plus an extra curricular activity of their choosing. Having their room decorated (wall stickers).

What didn't help was treating it as a holiday. It makes the accepting of the new life harder.

They will be 12 and 10. We're working hard to get back for that start of the uk school year so they can settle faster than midway through a year, and yes, had alsp thought about letting them have complete control over decorating their rooms (within reason!). Good tip on don't treat it like a holiday - would be far too tempting!