Relocating for Work How to Make the Transition Smoother for Your Family - Sterling Career Concepts

Relocating for Work How to Make the Transition Smoother for Your Family Relocating for Work: How to Make the Transition Smoother for Your Family People applying for work overseas typically have the same main motivation: higher or better compensation. With a bigger monthly salary and other forms of financial rewards that they can get, they will soon manage to do a lot of things, one of which is to provide their families a better quality of life. Most expatriates push through with their plans of working abroad and leave their families behind in their home country. But there are also many who make the decision of bringing their spouse and kids with them at the time of their migration. Relocating for Work: Moving Overseas with the Family This is a situation that isn’t unusual today. For instance, many people who have already settled in the United Arab Emirates will still migrate to Canada from the UAE, if given the chance with their family, primarily because of better career opportunities. This also isn’t a hard decision to make since Canada belongs to the top countries for raising kids. Although you may have only the purest intentions for your family when you move abroad, there is a big chance that they won’t easily understand and accept your decision. Because of this, they will have a hard time making the transition and adjusting to all the changes that come with moving overseas. To help your family successfully adapt to a new life abroad, here are some helpful tips: 1. Get everyone involved. Although you have the final say when it comes to the decision to work overseas and take your family with you during the move (you’re the head of the family, after all), it doesn’t mean you should disregard your spouse’s and your kids’ opinions and feelings. Have a long talk with every member of the family, ask them what they think and feel about the move, and discuss what you can do to help them deal with and get over their fears and concerns. During the actual preparation for the move, make sure they are involved as well; they can help with packing, choosing the accommodation, and even picking out the school they will be attending once you arrive at your destination. They will feel more excited about the move if they have a say in certain things and it is evident that you are not ignoring their input. 2. Make sure everyone has some stock knowledge about your destination. Another way of getting your family involved in the move is to include them when you are doing researching or reading up on the other country. For instance, if you got a Dubai work visa, before your flight, go online and read up on the customs, traditions, ways of living, culture, and the most important rules and regulations at work in the UAE. While doing this or even after, share what you’ve learned with your family. A little knowledge can go a long way for anyone. And everyone in your family will feel a bit more confident about the move now that they have an idea of what to expect. 3. Allow everyone to say their goodbyes properly. A move can be exciting, but there’s no going around the fact that it can also be a sad and even painful experience. Let your spouse and kids spend some time with their friends and relatives and everyone that they will miss and allow them to say their farewells properly. They will also miss their favorite spots and food so permit them to visit these places and eat their favorite dishes one last time before your departure as well. 4. Upon arrival at your destination, make your family feel comfortable and safe. Everyone will be tired from the flight, and because of the changes in the environment, you can expect some or all of your family members to feel easily irritated, angry, and nervous. Don’t waste time and fill the house and rooms with old, familiar and treasured items that you brought from home such as stuffed toys, photo albums, blankies, etc. These items can help create a sanctuary of familiarity and stability that will help alleviate the fears and relieve the tension or anxiety that your loved ones may feel. 5. Encourage everyone to meet and make new friends. Take the lead and find opportunities to meet and know your neighbors. If there are kids in your building or neighborhood, encourage your own children to go out and start socializing with them. If you and your spouse are up to it, you can throw a simple party and invite your neighbors and coworkers so that everyone will get the chance to make a new friend or two. You can also read more tips on helping kids make new friends here. 6. Show your full support during your kids’ first day at school. It’s natural for both kids and parents to dread the first day at a new school. Children who have just moved to a new country may be doubly frightened by this experience. To help your kids overcome their anxieties, before the actual start of classes, bring them to the school and take them on a short tour. You can introduce them to the principal, teachers, and other school staff so that they can recognize some familiar faces inside the campus on their first day. You can also talk to their teachers about any specific worries the children may have and share some tips to help them gain your kids’ trust. After their first day of class, ask your children how their day went. Whether it was fun or not for them, make sure you find ways to encourage them to look forward to going to school and to have a good time while they are there. 7. Make sure everyone keeps in touch with the people they left behind. Encourage your kids to keep in touch with their friends back home. You should also make it a point to talk to your relatives regularly and have your kids speak with them, too. This is something that everyone can easily do now since there are many free apps that can be used to talk to people from different parts of the world, even via live video calls. During a move overseas, it is important for a family to stick together so that no one feels left behind and everyone will have an easier time meeting and dealing with all the changes. _________________________________________________________________________ Guest Author Bio: Bevan Berning is an Immigration professional and owner of Pathway Visas, an Immigration Agency dealing mostly with skilled immigration to Canada and Australia. Bevan’s enthusiasm for the industry has kept in the Immigration field for the past seven years. Bevan is South African by birth and has been residing in Dubai for the past eight years. You can connect with Pathway Visas on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.