sara20478 Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Hi, we we have our visa and are planning to move to Perth in the next few months. I am moving out in mid-August and then my husband and soon will be moving out at the end of September/beginning of October. I'm moving out first to find a place to rent and get a school sorted for my son. As the time gets closer I am getting more and more stressed about moving my son. We've been talking about doing this so long and I know he wasn't that keen at the beginning, and was probably hoping it wouldn't happen!, but now that it is I know he is concerned about the move. i was hoping there would be someone here who moved with a slightly reluctant teen and could set my mind at ease, or at least let me know their experience? Did your child settle in, was it difficult, was there anything you did that you would change if you could go back? Thanks in advance to anyone that can help Sara ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Hi Sara, My two were younger so can't offer advice on moving a teen, however, the school my children were going to - the principle sorted out my daughter with a 'pen pal' before she came over who she chatted to prior to arrival, finding out about the school etc., and she felt as if she knew someone before she arrived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derbygirl42 Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 My sister did it with a nearly 14 year old, he didn't want to go and hated the first 6 weeks but once he started school tall changed and he loves it now. Wouldn't dream of going back, not even for a holiday! HOpe that helps, it's a tough age and will be tough at the start but not for long. Good luck Hi, we we have our visa and are planning to move to Perth in the next few months. I am moving out in mid-August and then my husband and soon will be moving out at the end of September/beginning of October. I'm moving out first to find a place to rent and get a school sorted for my son. As the time gets closer I am getting more and more stressed about moving my son. We've been talking about doing this so long and I know he wasn't that keen at the beginning, and was probably hoping it wouldn't happen!, but now that it is I know he is concerned about the move. i was hoping there would be someone here who moved with a slightly reluctant teen and could set my mind at ease, or at least let me know their experience? Did your child settle in, was it difficult, was there anything you did that you would change if you could go back? Thanks in advance to anyone that can help Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samhughes Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Hi Sara I took my kids from the UK to NZ when they were 10 and 7 and then we moved to Perth this April after 6.5 years. My kids had built great friendships in NZ and we took them away from all that. At the beginning it was very difficult, my son is 16 and found it hard but 1 term down at school he is starting to make some good relationships (especially with the girls). It is easier sometimes for the kids to make friends because they are at school then the adults. Don't worry after a while the need to be with their old friends fades away as they have less and less in common with them. My children go to Churchlands Senior High school. It is a difficult decision but it is worth it and they will thank you in the end. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFC AL Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I'm in the same position except we are only just beginning to apply. My son will hopefully be 17 at the time. Initially he said he will come but he's beginning to change his mind. He will be mid way through an apprenticeship with my dad as a joiner and I'm in a dilemma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesayvette Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Hi Sara, We've been here 3 1/2 years my boys were almost 14 and 12 when we moved here. They settled in really well in fact they don't want to ever move back to uk! My oldest has made more friends here then he ever had back home!! I think they adapt better than us! If you need any info let me know!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Hi Sara, We moved last year with my 15 year old son. It took us about 7 years in total and he had been very enthusiastic all along until we booked our flights. I guess the enormity of what we were planning sunk in at that point and he became quite withdrawn. He put a brave face on it when the time came and he handled all his goodbyes really well. I always felt he had the most to lose out of all of us but he was the one I couldnt help. The days of play dates are long gone so I always knew it would be up to him to make his new life here work. School was the trick really, he's made some new friends, joined a rugby team and got a part time job. He went back at Easter for 3 weeks to catch up with family and friends. He was looking forward to it so much I started to worry that he wouldn't want to come back but by the end of the second week he was ready to come home. When I asked him recently when he'd like to go back next he said he didn't know. "Maybe next year?" was the best I could get out of him so it's safe to say he's not homesick. I've been so proud and amazed at how well he's adapted. His life here is very different to the UK and as cliched as it sounds we really do spend more time together as a family, but he's happy and he's glad he had the chance to experience moving. I feel as though it's extended his childhood by a couple of years. I wish I could offer some pearls of wisdom but he handled it all himself really. If you think it would help I'd be more than happy to put you in touch with him and maybe they could have a chat/message each other? please don't hesitate to PM me if I can help. Good luck with the move, Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 Hi Sara, We moved last year with my 15 year old son. It took us about 7 years in total and he had been very enthusiastic all along until we booked our flights. I guess the enormity of what we were planning sunk in at that point and he became quite withdrawn. He put a brave face on it when the time came and he handled all his goodbyes really well. I always felt he had the most to lose out of all of us but he was the one I couldnt help. The days of play dates are long gone so I always knew it would be up to him to make his new life here work. School was the trick really, he's made some new friends, joined a rugby team and got a part time job. He went back at Easter for 3 weeks to catch up with family and friends. He was looking forward to it so much I started to worry that he wouldn't want to come back but by the end of the second week he was ready to come home. When I asked him recently when he'd like to go back next he said he didn't know. "Maybe next year?" was the best I could get out of him so it's safe to say he's not homesick. I've been so proud and amazed at how well he's adapted. His life here is very different to the UK and as cliched as it sounds we really do spend more time together as a family, but he's happy and he's glad he had the chance to experience moving. I feel as though it's extended his childhood by a couple of years. I wish I could offer some pearls of wisdom but he handled it all himself really. If you think it would help I'd be more than happy to put you in touch with him and maybe they could have a chat/message each other? please don't hesitate to PM me if I can help. Good luck with the move, Deb What a lovely post Deb and congratulations to your young man for handling the move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Womanboss Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 (edited) We have just moved 2.5 weeks ago with daughters 3.5 yrs and nearly 6 years old and a 14 year old son hopefully starting school next week. Fingers crossed they settle in ( I'm sure they are sick of us parents now ( 3.5 weeks without any other kids) had a holiday in Abu Dhabi on the way here we are in burns beach. Reading the other posts gives me great hope for our kids transitioning Edited July 22, 2015 by Womanboss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 Thanks Ali, he makes me very proud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocolevi Posted July 22, 2015 Report Share Posted July 22, 2015 It's great to here he's settled in and doing well Deb. Are you still really busy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sara20478 Posted July 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2015 Hi, thank you all for replying! Sorry for not acknowledging the replies earlier - my parents were visiting to say their good byes :-( I'm so glad to hear about your son Deb - it's one of my fears that I can't help my son settle in, as you say they are at the age where we can't arrange playdates! But like your son, he plays rugby and other sports so hopefully that will help him make friends and settle! Thanks for the reassurance everyone :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted July 26, 2015 Report Share Posted July 26, 2015 I totally concur with Sideshowdeb. We came with a then 14b, 11b and 8g. I was more worried about my eldest son as all along he never wanted to come and made it obvious to everyone he had no choice in the decision and just had to get on with it, but always insisted when he was 18 he would go back to the UK. Hand on heart the last two years have been a very emotional rollercoaster for all of us but all my children have settled here. My son is now 16 and has made a great set of friends, and they are all completely different, some academic, some not, some sporty, some just like playing their computer games, he even spent Christmas day on the beach with his mate and their family, which I found a bit odd, but was pleased he was comfortable enough to ask us and then disappeared for the day and had a great time. It is hard work moving here but for us as a family it was worth the tears. All my children love living in Perth, and my son has no inclination to go back to the UK not even for a holiday. They do miss family and have said if only family could move here then life would be perfect. There is so much for children to do here, I never have an weekday evening free due to sporting/music committments and weekends can be full on too, but they can get involved with as much or as little as they feel comfortable with and because there are always new people arriving, the schools are set up to help settle those kids in and there is always someone for them to talk to. For us personally, moving here has helped our children grow emotionally and be more confident in what they do, we have found people to be very friendly and willing to help. Once here if you start to feel lost ask for help, join a couple of the meetups and you will find people going through exactly the same thing and even though they might not be able to physically help, having a coffee and a chat and hearing other people going through the same feelings and experiences helps, and if you son is having a bad day hearing others talk about how they dealt with those down days really does help. I found my children coped with the move much better than I did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny071982 Posted July 27, 2015 Report Share Posted July 27, 2015 My daughter will be 1 by the time we get there. Lol hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted July 31, 2015 Report Share Posted July 31, 2015 I've come to the conclusion there aren't as many days in the week here as I honestly don't know where time goes. I cannot believe it was a year ago today that we flew from Heathrow. We have our first visitors coming at the end of the year though which is quite exciting. I may actually venture out of Perth for a day or two? How are your plans coming along? Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted August 1, 2015 Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 Happy Aussiversary Deb! Xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted August 1, 2015 Report Share Posted August 1, 2015 I've come to the conclusion there aren't as many days in the week here as I honestly don't know where time goes. I cannot believe it was a year ago today that we flew from Heathrow. We have our first visitors coming at the end of the year though which is quite exciting. I may actually venture out of Perth for a day or two? How are your plans coming along? Deb 1 year already? Happy Aussiversary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katebeth Posted August 2, 2015 Report Share Posted August 2, 2015 Hi We have just moved here with our 16 year old son. We waited until he had finished his GCSEs first. He's started at college and everyone is being really friendly. There are a lot of English kids that he's met and is starting to make friends with. One of the things to think about is where your child will fit in in the school year. Be prepared for having the explain that a repeat of a year might be necessary because when you arrive, the school year will be almost over. Son is missing home very much as he had a busy social life and the pace here is much, much slower (something that we are all having to adjust to). Whereabouts are you moving to? We are in Secret Harbour (for the next couple of months at least). If you are coming anywhere near that area, get in touch to meet up for a coffee and a chat. Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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