So…you’ve decided to move to Greece. And if you have children, probably your chief concern is how they will adjust to the enormous changes that this will bring to their lives. Well, the good news is that they will probably adjust far quicker than most adults! Most people find that the younger the child, the easier it is for them to adapt. It is generally acknowledged that children up to the age of seven are able to absorb what goes on around them very easily and language is usually something that they can pick up without too much effort. That doesn’t mean that older children – or indeed you - will not be able to cope, merely that it may require more effort.

The essential thing is that you are enthusiastic about the move and that you include your children in the preparations. If they think that you, as a family, are undertaking a huge adventure together this will go a long way to making the move seem like something to look forward to rather than to dread.

Talk about what they can expect to find on their arrival. Highlight the advantages of the move and chat about how family and friends will be thrilled to spend holidays with them in their new home, where it will be up to them to show them around their new country …

One of the main areas of concern for them will be leaving friends behind; this is never easy but today, with the Internet, Facebook and emails, it is a whole lot easier. One thing I would suggest is that you ensure that you have access to the Internet in your new home. Remember, this is not always a given in Greece.
 
A few points worth remembering:

Encourage children to learn about Greece in advance. Perhaps get an atlas and have a look at a map, read them a book about the country. The myths and legends of Greece are a really good starting point for younger kids

Introduce them to Greek food: perhaps take them to a nearby Greek restaurant

Take photos of their new home and area if they have not yet seen it yet so that it looks familiar on arrival

I am a digital online photo album addict. Give your child a cheap digital camera and tell them to make an album of their journey from the UK to their new home…This comes with a warning – it’s addictive!

Greek lessons before you leave the UK will mean that they will not feel totally excluded once they attend school

Arrange to visit new schools and meet teachers before the first day of school. When my daughter was young, her new school always appointed a ‘mentor’ for each new child – someone in the class who had been at the school for a while and could show her the ropes. You may want to suggest this…?

Provide children of all ages with a notebook that they can write down all their friend’s email addresses and contact details to take with them. You may find that the computer, with all these vital details, gets damaged in the move

There is nothing more comforting than a pet for younger children. Failing that, a favourite toy at hand at all times 

For older children it may be a little bit more difficult. Apart from just the language, there are the social aspects. Teenagers need affirmation from their peers and have usually formed a close group of friends from whom they get this. Leaving their friends and changing schools will be challenging – I can vouch for this personally as I did it many times and can still remember the feeling of isolation. BUT – given time - it all settles down and, with your support and over time, they will adjust and be happy.

I hope that has given you a few ideas. Remember, kids really do adjust very quickly. I know that the only problem my Swedish friend, now residing in the States, has had to make is to make sure his five year old kids remember their mother tongue!