Moving to another country is a challenge for both adults and children. The question is how will they cope and survive this difficult period in their lives. Adults can motivate themselves with higher living standards, new career prospects, a carefree and comfortable old age. But how to assure a child that moving is a good decision, and how to make their adaptation to the new environment as comfortable as possible?

In this post I'm going to share my top tips for moving abroad with children, to hopefully help answer these questions.

Preparation Stage

To save your nerves as a parent, turn the move into an adventure mission with a clear action plan and maximum participation in the process. Inspire your children to move to another country. This will allow both you and them to get used to the idea of leaving their current home, and also tune in to a positive vibes. This can be done by triggering maximum interest in moving. They should help to pack things, communicate with you about new opportunities, get the answers to all “how”, “where” and “why”.

Study together the destination country. Show what entertainment activities and places will be available to all of you in the new place. Sometimes it’s even useful to mourn: this helps to prepare your children for a more adult life, which is not always cheerful. But the best cure for sadness and despondency will be your unity and understanding.

Prevent Culture Shock

Find out if there are cultural events, performances, clubs, or groups near your home from the country you are moving to. Watch online videos, documentaries, or programs about your future place of residence with your child. Pay more attention to videos about children from the country of relocation to see how fun they are. Watch a video about pets in your country of future residence. Your task is to cause laughter and smiles in children, arrange them, and show that the same ordinary and cheerful children live there.

Start Learning a Language Early

Language is what allows you to quickly adapt to a new environment. Fortunately, children quickly learn something new. Enrol your child in a foreign language course at least six months before moving, hire a tutor, or try to teach them yourself. So you will increase your skill as well.

Various tutorials, language learning apps like DuoLingo or LinguaLeo, or watching videos/movies with subtitles will help you with this. To make the child more enthusiastic, create such a video yourself! Just find their favourite foreign language cartoon and add subtitles in your own language with the Movavi Video Editor or desktop iMovie app.

Consider all Education Options

It is not easy to arrange children in school, let alone find good education abroad. Google the presence of international schools in the destination country - they often help children connect and learn better in a diverse group of friends. If the reviews for such schools are not very good, try to find tutors for expat children. But be prepared for big expenses!

Choose the Right Area

It is crucial to find an area where everything is literally at hand - children's hospitals, doctors, nurseries, and schools, as well as grocery stores. Make sure the area is safe for your child's development. If you value leisure activities, consider moving to a town or village near the city. In case you want to quickly make new acquaintances, choose a place with social or hobby clubs to take the most from your family's spare time. And always encourage children to connect with local families as well as other expats.

Embrace your New Home 

After arriving in a destination country, you can finally relax a bit! Get a good nights sleep, unwind, and walk through the neighbourhood. Then start transforming your new house into a cozy home and resuming your typical family routine. Take care of the children's rooms first when your belongings arrives - it might be a good idea to get your children to pick extra special items that they can keep in a box with them at all times. This will help them settle in a lot quicker.

Adaptation will also be facilitated by following old traditions, keeping in touch with friends and relatives from the old country, as well as learning a foreign language. In general, on-site learning at any age is faster than in a non-speaking environment. This is where the “survival” ability of the brain comes into play. Also during this period, all parts of the brain are actively working, and any new information is absorbed successfully.

Do not be afraid to move overseas with your family. Remember that the benefits to the child in the future will outweigh the little hardships they will experience in the beginning. And adults should try to make the move as painless as possible.

This is a collaborative post.

Moving House Successfully as a Single Parent

Moving house isn't an easy journey, and it can be even more difficult if you're making the move as a single parent. Although your children may feel excited about starting over in their teenage years (changing schools), they still need some guidance when adjusting to life away from friends or family that has been there for them through everything else, even if they are young adults in university. That's why these moving tips will help both the children and yourself to adjust better during this challenging time while also helping yourself.

Packing

Packing for your move can be daunting, but with these handy tips it will feel like less of an effort. Whether you are seeking refuge in tropical paradise or just want to get out of the city as fast possible – you need to ensure that you spend that time packing.

1. Sort and pack those out-of season items first so they don't end up forgotten about during the rest of this process; next thing on our list is purging anything that isn’t needed anymore (mosquito repellent anyone?). Once everything has been nicely arranged into boxes by type then take a deep breath because its finally time start filling them up.

2. It is always a good idea to pack what you can ‘live without’ for the week before your move. Everyone has their own space so consult your children before you start piling their stuff in a box. Avoid using newspaper as it doesn't protect anything nor does bubble wrap make great packing material - use butcher's paper instead so those fragile items don’t break during travel; but don't forget about our pro-tip: if moving long distance, consider hiring an interstate removals company instead of doing everything yourself because they are experts at knowing how much space each individual item needs in order to keep the damage to a minimum.

3. Pack an essentials bag, things like toothbrush, toiletries and some spare clothes. Keep them near by so that in case you do not have time to unbox everything straightaway, you always have access to some of the most crucial and essential items to get you by.

Children are Fantastic Helpers

Child-friendly moves are a great opportunity to get your little ones involved in the process. The more they know about what's happening, and how it will affect their lives, the better equipped they will be for the change in environment when it is time to move. From now on, even if you just talk about the move, get them involved, start the conversation, get their opinions and if possible, I recommend letting them choose some items to help them with the move. If it is that little comforter that they’ve been sleeping with since birth, let them take it around and tell them their job is to look after it and make sure it moves safely too. For older ones, find out what it is that makes them feel like home and keep that close to them. It could simply be the spoon that they love to eat breakfast with every morning or that height chart that they’ve been using to track their height since age 2.

According to research, it is important for parents who are moving abroad or relocating within Australia take the opportunity and build familiarity of what they will be living in before committing fully. Take them on a holiday to where you will be moving to. Let them enjoy the place and explore the neighbourhood together. By giving your child control over certain aspects during this process you can help ease any anxiety that he/she might feel about leaving home finally!

Build Familiarity in the Surroundings

Once you have moved, it's a good idea to get your children settled as soon as possible. Help them feel comfortable in their new surroundings by making it priority number one and setting up everything they need right away so that you build upon what is familiar with them. Maybe the kitchen could be laid out exactly as before, or maybe their room is setup as close as it was at your old house. The sooner we make these little ones settle down the better, because once they do, anxiety subsides from their minds and you can then start to build a sense of feeling towards your new home and neighbourhood.

Ask for a Helping Hand

Single parents already have too little time during the day to accomplish their long list of tasks including working and keeping the family finances healthy. It can be overwhelming when you're moving into or out of any home. You might feel like it's too much work. You may also feel that your immediate family and close friends don't want to take time-off from their own busy lives and spend what little energy they have left on helping you with the process. But let’s have a think about this, if any of your family or friends asked you for helping hand. What would you do? Would you say no because you are way too busy or would you drop everything in a beat of a second and lend that helping hand? It is really these times of need when friends and family are most vulnerable that our inner natural instincts to help one another will prevail.

The first step towards a successful move is admitting you can’t do it alone and need to ask for help. You’ll be surprised the amount of support you will have just by simply raising your hand.

Hire Professionals

Hiring removalists is a stressful process that can take up your entire week. Accept what help you can get. A move isn't the time for stubborn pride; instead ask them if they could lend assistance when needed with packing (and maybe even watching the children), picking up new furniture etc.

Hiring the right movers is crucial when you're busy juggling parenting, work and other responsibilities. Not only should hiring professionals ensure that your items are safely packed up but also if there's any damage done during transport then it can be easily fixed without having to worry about money spent on new furniture or contents lost in transit. Hiring the right removalists will ensure that your items are properly packed and organised. They'll even handle everything from unloading to storage if necessary! On move day, all you have do is provide a helping hand rather than worrying about how things are being handled behind-the scenes.

If you have a move planned, I really hope this post has been helpful. Or if you've already been through the journey, what other tips would you add? Good luck!

This is a collaborative post.

10 Reasons you Need to Move House

Everyone with a family knows how difficult it can be to move to a new house, let alone to a new area. Packing everything up and organising it all into boxes around children? That’s definitely not easy! However, there are a lot of reasons that a house move can be a necessity. The actual process of moving to a new house is long, often boring and very stressful, but if you know your 'why' behind the move, you can be excited from the moment you take a look at www.mortgagecalculator.uk. Buying a house is also a great reason to move: renting is fine if you need to do it, but buying a house is the ultimate goal for a lot of people for a good reason! You’re going to be able to have a tangible asset to hand down one day and it’s going to allow you to build some equity in something completely your own. 

So, what’s your reason for moving, if there is one? In this post I'm going to share the top reasons behind moving house, and they might not be as obvious as you think.

Because you WANT to

The ultimate response to moving to a new property: you simply just want to. Some people want a change of scenery and often, that change comes from within the four walls of the home. Moving to a new house gives you a chance to breathe in a new layout, a new project or perhaps even a new street. With new views and new people to talk to, you get to move again - because you want to!

You need More Space

Whether you’re expanding your family is irrelevant: more space equals more room to move and more fun to be had. Imagine extending the upstairs of the home with an attic conversion, or adding in a conservatory to create your very own sun trap. You can of course, move to a new house to have an extra bedroom or an extra bathroom and that new space will make a big difference. Creating extra space is one thing, but what if you could buy a house that has all of the things that you want already? That’ll save you some cash!

You’re Ready for an Upgrade

If you’ve been in the same street for a long time, you might want to upgrade. Going from a terraced property to a detached property is something that most people want to do at some point. Deciding whether you want to improve your property or simply upgrade it is a big decision, but if you’re restless with the four walls that you’re in and want to move into a property that upgrades you from where you are, it’s time to do it now.

A New Job

Congratulations! A new job is a great reason to move to a new area, especially if the new commute isn't feasible for you to do from your current home. You don't need to commute for hours on end if you just move to a new area. It does often mean uprooting the children to move to a new place, but that’s not a bad thing if you know they will thrive and you will all be better off. If your children are older though it might be a decision to get them involved with.

You're Home Alone

Downsizing because your children are flying the nest is another great reason to move. You can downsize your property and spend less money on your expenses and mortgage because of it! A lot of parents also use this as an opportunity to move to an area that's less child friendly (the countryside for example, as they don't need to be near schools or transport links anymore.

Buying a House

It’s a great reason to move home; you’re moving out of your parents or a rental and you want to buy your first house! You need to plan out your mortgage and who you plan to use, how much of a deposit you have and start looking for a property that will work for you. Getting the best advice possible is so important if you want to ensure that your move is a smooth one.

Moving Abroad

With the pandemic going on, migration to a new place in the world is something that may not have crossed your mind. As things cool off however, you might consider that moving abroad is your best possible option for a happier, healthier future. You can plan to move abroad and spend time purchasing a property somewhere else around the world, and you can get a new job or go and study in a whole new country. 

Your Relationships are Changing

Sometimes we move to live with a new partner or to get away from the end of a marriage. That change in relationships means that there is a chance of a change of scenery, and it can be just as exciting! A change in relationships will trigger changes in other areas of your life from your job to your surroundings.

To be Closer to Family

The chances are that right now you’re living far away from your family. If you want to move closer to your family, you need to sell the home you’re in and buy a new one to be nearer. Living close to your family may be important for you, especially if you are moving to support older relatives or you need support with children. You’ll be able to visit far more often when you have your family members nearby, and that can make a huge difference to you! You also may need to be in the catchment area for schools to get your children into the ones that you want the most.

A Change of Lifestyle

If you’re in the rat race of the city, you may be very ready to slow down and move to the countryside and lead a slower pace of life. You won’t regret such a mammoth change in your life, as it can lead to the change that you’ve always wanted to have. The costs of running a house in the city aren't always small ones, and a change of income or a need to save money can lead you to choosing to relocate. You’ll often find that buying a house in the countryside is cheaper! The change in your job and your location will mean that you will see an overall decrease in how much you pay out. 

If you have been lucky enough to sell your house, but haven't found somewhere to buy just yet, you could consider a short-term let whilst you wait. GuestReady manage the day-to-day operations of Airbnbs and other short-term rental apartments, such as online listings, high-quality photography, pricing management, communicating with guests, cleaning, and even the check-in of guests! 

This is a collaborative post.

4 Things to Consider when Moving House

When you’re planning a move there are a number of things that you should be considered beforehand. Along with all the planning that goes into the actual purchase of a new house, you need to consider things such as your requirements, planning the move, school locations, and your daily commute. Moving to a new location can be stressful so it’s best to make sure you tick everything off before you commit to anything! In this post I'm going to be sharing 4 important things to consider before moving house.

The Location - The location is probably one of the most important aspects to consider when moving. Whether you're moving for a new job, for a fresh start, or simply because you’ve found the perfect house, you want to get it just right. Think about how far you will be commuting to work, whether you’re in good school catchment areas if there are convenient shops nearby etc. If you can't drive make sure to look about how accessible the location is - you don't want to move somewhere and feel completely isolated, even if it's your dream house.

The House - Once you've found the best location for you, the house itself is of course the most important factor. Afterall, one of the main reasons that people move is to aim towards climbing the ladder to their forever home. There are numerous considerations you should make when choosing your home however, which will most likely be very personal to each person or family. Some people may require specialist disability accommodation, some may need to have an office space, some may need an annex for elderly relatives in the future, whatever your needs are you should make sure you take the time to make sure your new home has all that you require.

The Cost - If you’re thinking of moving, then the chances are that you have already looked closely at finances. This is obviously incredibly important in order to make a move successful! You’re likely to need a new mortgage so it may be a good idea to book a visit with a mortgage advisor before looking at any houses. Think about any work that may need to be carried out at the property when you’re thinking about a budget too,  as you may need to complete renovation work in order to get the house of your dreams. Often people fall into the trap of spending all their funds on the actual house rather than considering any work that may need to be done!

Think about the Move - Something that everyone dreads about moving home is the actual move itself. Make sure you have a good organisation plan in place by having adequate boxes that are labelled clearly and possibly think about using a movers service to ease things along. If you have children it is a good idea to think about childcare options for the big day - it will lower your stress levels, and mean they aren't bored going between properties too.

These are just a few of the things you should be considering when moving house. What would you add?

This is a collaborative post.

How to Make Moving House Less Stressful

As parents our priority is making sure that our families are well taken care of, fulfilled, and happy. But from time to time, we need to take the time to make sure that our dreams and goals come true too. An example of this is when we’re moving house; it’s a stressful operation, one filled with many trivial and time-consuming tasks that can take a very long time. But hopefully with these tips I'm going to share in this post, you can make a house move run smoothly, without letting your family down!

Get the Timing Right

Some times of the year just aren’t suitable for a big change such as moving house. You won't want to ruin Christmas, or stress your children out during exams with a big move. You can help yourself though (and make sure you fulfil your family obligations), by moving home at a quiet time for your family. Avoid birthdays, significant events, and any other major life events - and try to remember that these things take time, so don't focus too much attention on a set date too early on.

Remove Some Pressure

There are a lot of small details that need to be taken care of when you’re moving home. However, it doesn’t have to be you that takes care of every last detail personally! By recruiting professional help for some of the tasks, you can take the pressure off yourself and free up some of your time all at once. Don’t spend days transporting all your belongings; hire movers and let the experts do all the leg work - you can click here to learn more about removal firms in your area. Also make sure to hire a decent property solicitor to ensure all the paperwork is in order. Just taking a few of the tasks out of your hands will make hopefully you feel more relaxed too.

Get Family Involved

If you are moving to a different part of the country, away from family and friends, then you might find they aren't as excited about the move as you are. There are fun aspects to moving house though, such as exploring an empty home, digging through a new garden, and meeting new neighbours. By getting your family involved though, you can help them adjust to the idea a bit more, and they may even find some hidden treasures at your new house that you haven't found yet!

Hire an Assistant

You’ll have a million and one things to do when you’re moving home - and that’s on top of the million and one family responsibilities that you already have. If you have a friend or family member who you’re particularly close with, why not ask for help with admin tasks? As it's someone you know you are more likely to trust their decisions and ideas, and would probably help for a smaller fee as well. If there is a lot of work to do though, maybe look into hiring some professionals instead.

When moving house of course you won’t get everything right straight away, and there will be stressful moments too. But if you take things slow, and follow my advice above, you can make sure none the move goes as smoothly as possible. Good luck!

This is a collaborative post.