Moving house is one of the most stressful things we do in our lifetimes; moving to another country is on a whole other scale! The main thing to consider is how the whole family feels good about the move. It is important not to assume that everyone is as excited about the move as you are.

Children: Young children especially may be very worried about leaving school, friends, and everything they have come to know. It is important to listen to them and ask them how they feel about moving and what worries them; then put their mind at rest the best you can. Ensure they spend lots of time with their friends in the weeks leading up to the move, and don’t throw away all their old clothes/toys, take some things with you that are familiar, even if they have out grown them. If you visit the new home before you move, try to take the children with you, then they will have less ‘fear of the unknown’. You could also ask your child to make a list of all the things they want to do, and places they’d like to visit when they get to their new country.

Teenagers: Older children will be able to have a better understanding of what is going on, and will be able to help with the organisation of the move, and can take on more responsibility than younger children. Teenagers are able to use the internet so they can research the new country and learn a lot about it before they go. They could even make friends before they get there, using social networking sites.

Pets: Taking a pet abroad should be a decision that is made after a lot of thought and consideration. Thousands of people do it every year but the welfare of the animal must be the most important factor when making the decision. If you have a cat, dog or horse that is of older years, then it is probable best to sell it or leave it with a family member or friend that you know will take good care of it.

If you do decide to take your pet with you, bear in mind that it will have to be in quarantine before and after the move, and take into consideration factors such as climate and weather if you are moving somewhere with a significantly hotter or colder climate than the UK. Try to get in touch with people who have put their pet through the same experience and get some first hand advice on the process. It can also be quite costly, but at the end of the day, it is your pet’s happiness that should make the decision.

The process of moving abroad permanently will be a life-changing one and one that should involve the whole family working together to overcome fears, worries and problems that might arise. Working together will make the experience more enjoyable and worry free.