One concern that many people have is how to make the move to Canada with younger children. Sue and I came with our kids when they were older - mostly teenagers. So for this article I asked for contributions from some of the people we helped move over. I'm pleased to be able to bring you their advice - in their own words wherever possible.

INVOLVING THE KIDS IN DECISIONS

Young kids need to be involved in decisions just as much as older ones. Their worries may not be easy to express for them but they do need a chance to take part in this in whatever way they can.

"We also made big efforts to include them in the decision process in some way and talked to them about why we wanted to come here and in what ways it could improve all our lives. They have to see some benefit in it too."

RESEARCH TRIPS

"For our boys bringing them on the research trip really helped so they could see where they were coming. It also helped that we had chosen the area we planned to settle so they could even visit the school they were going to attend."

Even if you don't know exactly where you are going to settle, it is a good idea to visit a few schools in likely areas. Your kids will see something of their new life and you will be able to talk about it with them. Schools are friendly places and well used to helping new kids settle in.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH HOME

"Keeping in touch with those back home is important too and for us the webcam is really useful. Younger kids cannot "chat" on the phone as we do but they will have a normal chat with grandparents, cousins etc on the webcam. I think it is better getting everybody set up on the system before you leave, trying to do it once you are here is a headache as we have found out. We also encourage people to send stuff through the mail, photos, dvds as they love getting mail from the UK as it is always something nice!"

TIMING

If you have a choice, when should you time your move? This is an interesting point. One family came in the middle of the school year, actually in the middle of the term. Their kids started school within a week of arriving. The school was very welcoming and their girls settled in very quickly. By the end of the first week they’d got invites to playdates and sleepovers.

By contrast another family waited until their children had finished their school year in the UK before coming. This meant that they arrived at the start of the summer. The result was that their children didn’t get to meet many other children until school started in September. On reflection they felt it would have been better to arrive before the school holidays so their kids could meet a few other children.

ACTIVITIES

Canada isn't short of activities for children. Getting your kids involved in these is another way for them to fit in. The summer, especially if you arrived in the school holidays, is the time to take advantage of summer camps and other organized activities.

"We have tried to get them involved with local activities ASAP and arranged LOADS of "playdates" so they could feel settled with their peer group as quickly as possible. It can be a bit grueling but also helped us make friends too."

Be careful not to over commit your time. You will be running your children around in true "soccer mom" style. Let them try out different activities but watch out that you don't spend too much. One parent warned about the cost of (ice) hockey gear for their initially enthusiastic son!

TOYS AND STUFF FROM HOME

Getting out and meeting new people all the time can be overwhelming for some kids - and adults. Having familiar things from home, once your shipment arrives, can be reassuring.

"We tried to let them bring as much of their own stuff as possible and toys they no longer needed we sold before we left and allowed the boys to spend the money once they were here on new things ( bit of an incentive !). We brought all their DVD collection (which was quite large) and bought a multi region player here so they can watch all their DVD's and one's that people send over from the UK. We wished we had bought a uk tv and their gameplayer too (they can be used with a step up transformer) as it is expensive to replace video games if you have a lot."

FINAL THOUGHTS

Writing this newsletter brought back to me the whole experience of moving. Our teenagers all settled in well and though we all face challenges in doing this, the younger you are the easier it is.

If you are interested in moving to British Columbia, with or without kids, then we'd be very pleased to help you.