5. Involve the family
You have the most important facts and figures at your disposal: wherever you are going, opportunities for work, adequate housing, new school. They know how to get a visa and what type of visa you need. The approximate schedule is set. Now at the latest you should sit down with your partner and the children and talk through the plans. Goal: Everyone agrees and supports each other when emigrating.
When you have family and friends behind you, you are strong enough to quickly remove surprising obstacles. If you wait too long to do this, you may not see them when you leave.
The exact timing of family conversations depends on many factors, including the age of the children. Some involve the children from the start, others wait until points 1-4 are ready to be said. Younger children often have little choice – and emigrating with children is usually easier because they get used to it and learn the new language. For young people, separating from friends is often more difficult. If you are about to graduate from school or study, other questions arise:
- Do I prefer to postpone the emigration until the children have finished school?
- Is it realistic to leave my child with relatives and go away without them?
- What should a satisfactory school solution in the target country look like?
In addition, it is advisable to initiate all of your family and friends now. Do this well in advance of your planned departure. This gives them time to adjust emotionally and deal with sadness, disappointment or other feelings. Help them say yes to the upcoming farewell – before the farewell party starts or before they say goodbye at the airport.
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