Most children don’t like moving when they stay within the same city, much less moving across the Atlantic. However, when the move is due to a great work opportunity that will allow you to give your family the best opportunities, there is no reason to say no to it. Especially not when the move takes you to one of the greatest cities in the world. London is an international hub with close ties to Europe, meaning that your children can grow up to become international leaders and global citizens with very little effort.
They have all the opportunities in the world in London; you just need to follow this guide to help them adapt and succeed in their new home:
Teach Them How to Get Around
London is a relatively safe city, but knowing how to get around and more importantly know where to go can help you feel safer when your teenagers go out without you. City living is very different from living in the suburbs, and being street-smart can help them take better care of themselves. Thankfully London’s boroughs are often communities onto themselves, meaning that your children can make friends with local children and have fun and play in the nearby park just like they would at home.
To help them learn how to get around, take them out and show them. There are Under 18s Oyster Cards, meaning they can travel throughout London with a discount. From there it is all about using apps on their phone and learning how to read the Tube maps to get around.
Sign Them Up for a Great School
In Europe, IB schools are very highly regarded. IB, or International Baccalaureate, are international standards that are often graded more harshly than regular schooling. Attending an IB school will help your child later in life, both through university and beyond. When you choose an IB schooling system like Southbank International School, you can then ensure your children have a quality education from academics to extracurricular programs.
Encourage After-School and Extra Curricular Activities
If you live in a great area full of children close to your child’s age, then you are all set. If you live in a more diverse or urban area, however, you will want to ensure that your children have every opportunity to learn and make friends. After-school activities like sports or even joining their schools’ extra-curricular activities can help them diversify their interests and make plenty of friends. The more friends they make in their new home, the better they will adapt and love where they live.
Moving can be very stressful, but simply by putting your children first you can ensure that they have an easy transition and start their new lives successfully. Help them become familiar with their new home, sign them up for a great school, and encourage them to join after-school activities both for their education and also so that they can make as many friends as possible. Moving can be the best thing that can happen to them, so long as their health, happiness, and education is considered.