Tips to help your kids adjust to expat life

Moving to a different country is a huge undertaking, so we’ve put together a list of tips to help your kids adjust to expat life and in particular, to school abroad.

It’s a well-known fact that moving to a different country as an Australian expat is one of the most stressful things that you can do in life, so it’s important to remember that it can also be stressful for your child too.

Get the timing right

When you move to a new country, you’ll probably be planning on setting a few weeks aside to settle in before you start your new job, so if possible, it’s a good idea to do the same for your child before they start school.

Agree on a suitable date for your child to start at the school, even if it doesn’t match up with the start of the year to give them a chance to get used to their new home before they embark on another challenge.

Talk openly

When your child is making such a huge life change, it’s essential for you to communicate with them properly about what they’re going through so that you can find solutions to any problems that may come up. You might be incredibly busy with your new move, but it’s important to remember that your child will also have a lot on their plate too.

However, don’t ask them about every minute detail of their day; simply set some time aside to have a chat with your child and check on how they are settling in so that they feel like they can talk to you openly.

Take small steps

The first day at a brand new school can be an overwhelming experience for a child to deal with. Many schools will be happy for you and your child to get to know the school before they get started properly and may even let you visit several times so that your child can get used to their new environment.

This will give your child a chance to meet their new teachers and classmates, and maybe start to make some new friends. Getting to know minor details about the school can make your child feel more comfortable, such as finding out where the toilets are, what their daily routine will be and where their classes will be.

For more tips on life as an Aussie expat abroad check back with our blog often as we regularly post articles about the various financial and other issues relating to living and working overseas as an Australian expat. Alternatively check out this article from the BBC, Expat life: Making it work for your kids, as it also has some great tips generally about helping kids to adjust to expat life.

In terms of finances, tax time is upon us already so if you need some Australian tax advice or assistance with your Australian tax returns, get in touch with our team at Expat Tax Services today.