On the whole, most children are more resilient to change than adults. However, reverse culture shock can strike children in its own special way. Depending on your child, you may have different experiences of course, and your child will indicate culture shock in different ways.
Watch out for changes in behaviour, such as becoming more withdrawn, ‘acting up’ and mood swings. Often the most commons sign is, “I want to go back to XYZ!” – usually the last country they lived in.
Help Your Child Adjust
Moving is a big deal for families, for children of all ages, this is even harder. They lose friends. They don't fall asleep easily or sleep well. They wake up in a new place. Big kids get angry and sad. Little kids get clingy and often regress.
How can you make a move easier for your family?
When you announce the move…be prepared for your children to react with sadness or anger. Listen, acknowledge, and don't try to talk your child out of her feelings, even as you reassure him/her.
Prepare before you relocate - Prepare your child for their new home by researching as much as possible about everything you can think of. Ask your child what they want to know about and work together, if possible, to find the answers.
Say goodbye - Ensure your child understands the move is happening. Proper goodbyes make the transition real and help the moving on process.
Help them get involved in the new home environment, encouraging and facilitating in extra-curricular activities, sports, and youth organizations.
Put on your own oxygen mask first. Stop packing that box and go to bed. Getting enough sleep is the #1 rule for dealing with stress. You can't be patient with your child if you're exhausted.
Help your child know what to expect. Visit your new place, if you possibly can. Don't just go to the house. Take your child to see their new school. Stop at the roadside stand to buy fresh fruit. Stop at the local library and get excited about all the fliers on the bulletin board about kids' classes and activities. Find the best pizza and bakery.
Honor grief. It's okay for kids to express their sadness about saying goodbye to everything they've known. In fact, it's healthy and will make their adjustment easier in their new place.
Give your child some control. Let your child participate in any decisions that you can. Encourage their opinions and participation.
Keep your child's schedule the same, as much as possible.
Set up the kids' rooms first. Your child will have a calm, safe space surrounded by her familiar things, which goes a long way to helping her adjust and feel good about the move. It also gives her a safe place to play while you're setting up the rest of the house.