Moving with kids- worried

I'm moving to the UK in 2 weeks, with my 3 children. My 13 and 10 year old girls and my 2 year old son who is a dual citizen. I just read a post about someone who is having a really hard time adapting and can't sleep.

I have to say since reading that, I never considered how they would feel if they didn't like it. I think I'd adjust ok, just because I've had a few years to ponder the move but am worried now about my daughters. A new school, new friends, new everything and one is a teen and the other a tween. They've been excited to move since we discussed it last year but I'm guessing by the sound of things, that may not be the case once we're settled and there.

I'm a bit nauseated now just thinking about it and would love any advice.

I'm moving to the UK in 2 weeks, with my 3 children. My 13 and 10 year old girls and my 2 year old son who is a dual citizen. I just read a post about someone who is having a really hard time adapting and can't sleep.

To be fair, the person who is having a really hard time adapting has only been in the UK for about a week (got their visa May 1st, wrote the overwhelmed post on May 4th!), moved here alone on a work visa and is in the centre of busy London. Plus they are fairly young and they've lived with their parents their whole life... it's their first time living anywhere on their own, as well as their first time living anywhere but their home town, let alone 6,000 miles away on a new continent!

They've just gone from a comfortable existence living with parents to navigating a whole new country, new continent and one of the busiest cities in the world all on their own. Not only do they have to worry about how to live alone and do everything for themselves (find somewhere to live, set up banking, utility bills, navigate the city etc.), but they have to learn how to do it in a new country where everything is unfamiliar, as well as deal with a new job all at the same time.

I'm not surprised they are feeling overwhelmed by it all!

A new school, new friends, new everything and one is a teen and the other a tween. They've been excited to move since we discussed it last year but I'm guessing by the sound of things, that may not be the case once we're settled and there.

To be honest, if I had moved to the US when I was their age, it would have been the most amazing experience of my life (I visited family in the US when I was 12 and I fell in love with it - I cried for weeks after I went home because I wanted to live in America) .

Remember, you and your family have had months to prepare for this, and the kids are young and adaptable, and they are moving with you as a family unit, not completely alone - they will have support from you and your husband to help them adjust and for you all to get through it together.

Of course, they may find there are things they don't like or aren't what they are used to and they might discover that it's not what they thought it would be, but that's normal. I really don't think you can compare what the other poster is going through to your kids' situation... it's completely different.

Thank you Ksand24!
It's always nice to see a different perspective

I see this as a huge bonus for us all and would have jumped at the chance at their ages as well. We would love to take them all over Europe and plan on having them busy.

I have been in the UK for almost 10 years now. I remember my number one concern was my daughter who was 14 years old at the time of the move. She was excited about it and up for it but I was so worried that she would struggle with the change. I was so very wrong! There were of course some adjustments and hard times, but then again there are always are adjustments and hard times in life. She has truly flourished since the move here. The school worked well with her, making friends was easy- they were intrigued about the new American. She is now 24 and has graduated from Durham University, has a full time job and a flat of her own about an 2 hours from us- she has never dreamed of moving back to the USA

HG I just nearly cried! I will love it for my girls to have the same experience!
It's funny cuz they're worried about making friends and I kept telling them that being from America, people will be intrigued and want to make friends with them.
Thank you for sharing, it made my day!

Just tell them to be ready to answer a million questions-- DD lost count of the number of times she was asked if she really lived in a wooden house! What part of the UK are you moving to?

Haha! We're from Texas so I'm sure the questions will be endless!
We will be moving to Chester which is North West near Wales.

I know Chester well--beautiful city, I am not too far at all in Crewe. Chester is in Cheshire West and Chester Local Education Authority. If you need any help or advice with the school system just give a shout. It can be a bit confusing at first at times.

Thank you! I've been reading a bit about the school system and I am worried that the kids will be behind as our schools teach for our state's test and not so much for anything else.

I love Chester! I think it's gorgeous and the surrounding villages are spectacular as well. I can't wait to venture out and see the rest of the UK.

We will be arriving in 2 weeks, our US schools are nearly finished. Should I enroll them when we arrive or wait till the new school year?

I would start the process right away-- when does the 10 yr old turn 11? If they are going to be in High School in Sept then I would argue it wouldn't make sense to start them now to just change schools soon, but if they are going to be in yr 6 in Sept then it wouldn't hurt at all to start sooner- the sooner they start the sooner they can make friends easier

Not sure if you have already come across this- but thought it might be helpful
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/education_and_learning/school_admissions/in_year_school_transfers.aspx

Ok my 13 year old turns 14 in October and my 10 year old just turned 10 in March.
My jaw just dropped when I read High School! My hubby laughed at me.
I will read the link as soon as I get home
Thank you

Ok my 13 year old turns 14 in October and my 10 year old just turned 10 in March.

Okay, that should mean that in September, the 13-year-old will go into Year 9 (age 13-14) of secondary/high school, and the 10-year-old will go into Year 6 (age 10-11), which is the final year of primary school, and will then attend secondary/high school next year (2015/16).

So, if you do enroll them right away, for the remainder current school year (2013/14), they would be in Year 8 and Year 5, respectively.

Awesome info! Y'all make my life easier and I can't say "Thank You" enough!

lol I'm worrying people.  My situation was temporary (I'm all good now, took me a few days for my brain to calm down) and kids are tough and don't have to deal with the kind of stuff adults have to (stresses).  Moved a lot as a kid the while sometimes a bit saddening (leaving friends) it was perfectly fine.