Are you ready to move your family abroad?
Deciding to move abroad with kids is a life-changing choice, and if you’ve been following @she.travels.moms.dives, you know it’s one we’ve embraced wholeheartedly. With kids born in different countries and a new move about every three years, we’ve seen firsthand how each stage of childhood adapts to the challenges and opportunities of starting over in a new country.
The question many parents ask is: When is the best time to move abroad with children? The truth is, each age comes with its own pros and cons. Here’s our take, based on years of raising global citizens.
Infants (0-2 Years)
Pros:
- Easier Transition: Babies don’t have established routines, friendships, or strong attachments to their environment, making them highly adaptable.
- Minimal Resistance: Since they’re too young to understand the move, they won’t protest or feel homesick.
- Cost Savings: International relocations with infants are usually less expensive, with no school fees or extracurricular costs to factor in.
Cons:
- Parental Burnout: Moving is stressful, and managing it with sleepless nights, feedings, and diaper changes can push parents to their limits.
- Limited Memories: Your child won’t remember this adventure, which might feel disheartening if you’re investing in creating a new life abroad for their benefit.
Toddlers (2-4 Years)
Pros:
- Curiosity Drives Adaptability: Toddlers are naturally curious and can adapt quickly to new surroundings, picking up new languages and routines without much resistance.
- Social Flexibility: At this age, friendships are often situational, so they’ll happily play with other kids regardless of language barriers.
Cons:
- Challenging Logistics: Traveling long distances and settling into a new home with a toddler’s boundless energy and short attention span is not for the faint of heart.
- Routine Disruptions: Sleep schedules and eating habits may go haywire during the transition.
Preschool and Early School Age (5-8 Years)
Pros:
- Rapid Language Acquisition: Kids in this age group are like sponges and can pick up new languages remarkably quickly.
- Excitement for Adventure: They’re old enough to understand the move and often feel excited about the prospect of new friends, schools, and experiences.
- Strong Memories: This is the age where formative memories start to stick, allowing them to cherish their new home.
Cons:
- Emotional Awareness: They’re more aware of what they’re leaving behind—friends, familiar routines, and favorite places—which can make the transition emotionally challenging.
- Educational Adjustment: Moving to a new school system, especially one with a different language or curriculum, can be overwhelming initially.
Tweens (9-12 Years)
Pros:
- Open to New Cultures: Tweens are naturally curious and eager to learn, making them receptive to new cultural experiences.
- Independent Yet Dependable: They’re old enough to help with packing, adapting, and even supporting younger siblings during the move.
- Building Life Skills: Moving abroad fosters resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural understanding—traits they’ll carry into adulthood.
Cons:
- Friendship Challenges: Leaving close friendships behind can be particularly painful at this stage, and integrating into new social circles may take time.
- Preteen Mood Swings: Tweens might oscillate between excitement and frustration, testing everyone’s patience.
Teens (13-18 Years)
Pros:
- Critical Thinkers: Teens can appreciate the deeper benefits of moving abroad, from academic opportunities to cultural enrichment.
- Ready for Adventure: Older teens can thrive in environments that allow them to explore independence through travel, sports, or extracurriculars in their new home.
- Stronger Connections: They’re more likely to stay in touch with friends from previous homes, thanks to technology.
Cons:
- Reluctance to Leave: Adolescence is heavily shaped by friendships and identity, so teens may resist uprooting their lives.
- Academic Disruptions: Changing school systems or preparing for international qualifications like the IB or A-levels can be a significant challenge.
- Strained Family Dynamics: Teens’ desire for independence might clash with the close-knit reliance that moving abroad often demands.
What We’ve Learned
Moving abroad with kids at any age is a leap of faith, but it’s also an opportunity for unparalleled growth. We’ve found that younger children adapt with ease, while older kids benefit from the rich cultural and personal experiences that relocation provides. No matter their age, communication, patience, and a sense of adventure can help your family embrace the transition.
Ultimately, the “best” age to move abroad with kids depends on your family’s needs and priorities. Whether they’re babies bundled in a carrier or teens navigating their first solo adventures, the experience of living abroad will shape their perspectives and resilience in ways that last a lifetime.
Are you considering a move abroad with kids? Share your thoughts and experiences—we’d love to hear from you!
