Advertorial Life hacks for keeping your expat kids happy and healthy in Thailand

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While moving abroad has its perk, the transition can be a difficult time for expats and their families. As an expat parent, your goal is to make the transition as smooth and easy as possible. You can’t help but think about how you’re going to care for everyone’s wellbeing while living abroad with kids. Our friends from Pacific Prime Thailand have seen many expat families do just that and are here to share ten ways to keep your child happy and healthy in Thailand. 

 

Let your child know as early as possible 

Moving abroad can be a lot for a child to handle. They’re moving from a place that they’re familiar with and away from people they know and love. Once you know you’re going to be relocating, it’s time to tell the children. Acknowledge their concerns during this transition by answering their questions and addressing their anxieties. 

 

While it can be exciting to experience a new culture, it can also be very daunting. Be mindful of your child’s wellbeing before, during, and after the move. Think of ways to make the process more fun too, such as by letting them decorate their room or try new activities. 

 

Research destination diseases and health warnings 

You can find illness and health warnings on travel websites for most countries, including Thailand. Refer to these sites before making the move. Since children tend to be more vulnerable to infectious diseases, this step is crucial to keeping your child healthy. Take some time to research the signs and symptoms of common diseases in the country as well. 

Take preventative actions

 

An important step when moving abroad is making sure you have the necessary vaccinations. This is especially vital for children. Schedule a checkup with your doctor to ensure your child is up to date on their vaccination schedule. Also, make sure they’re vaccinated for diseases that exist in Thailand that you might not have had to consider back home. 

 

Have copies of their medical records 

A challenge that many expat parents face when relocating with children is accessing quality medical care. It’s always advisable to have both physical and digital copies of your children’s medical records. Keeping a record of your child’s medical file not only protects your child but can also improve the quality, cost, and efficiency of medical care. 

 

For example, a copy of their records will help immediately if they’re in need of emergency care. Updated immunization records also help avoid unnecessary shots, such as tetanus shots for minor cuts in the ER. 

 

Get them involved in the packing process 

A recommended step in helping your child stay happy during the move is to encourage them to be part of the packing process. Let them know this is a good time to go over what belongings they want to keep and what they no longer need. Have them pack their belongings and decide what they want to bring on the plane and what to ship. Double-check that they have their favorite toy or blanket before making the move too!

 

Help your child stay in touch with loved ones back home 

Moving to a new country is a landmark event in the lives of many families. It’s a good idea to help your kids collect their friend’s contact information in an address book. Additionally, a photo album can be a lovely way to preserve memories from their home country. Remember that though the move may be hard on your children, the way you approach it makes a huge difference. Consider hosting a joyful farewell party to celebrate the occasion and get everyone together. 

 

Think about connections 

A child’s social environment makes up a big part of their world. Look into groups and clubs they can join in your new home. Expat support groups make it possible for both children and adults to connect with other expat families. These groups can often be found online so research ones in your new area and go from there. Employee networking and other child-friendly activities are also opportunities to help expat children acclimatize to their new home. 

 

Prepare them for a new school 

Get your child ready to go to school by visiting the new school grounds if possible. Talk about the exciting opportunity to learn new things and meet new people who could become their friends. Once you’ve moved to your new place, do a trial run of getting to and from school to familiarize him/her. 

 

Encourage your child to share their feelings and communicate with you on a regular basis, especially during the first few weeks at a new school. Also, keep an eye out for symptoms of expat child syndrome, such as behavioral changes and loneliness. 

 

Minimize culture shock 

Culture shock is something that can affect both adults and children when moving to a new country. Learning the local language is one way to help your child get happily integrated and start to feel confident in their new surroundings. To help your kids transition, you could also be involved in learning the new language. That way, they can see that everyone has a learning curve. They’re also more likely to enjoy the new language if they see that you are too. 

 

Secure health insurance 

As an expat family, it’s essential to ensure your spouse and children’s health and wellbeing are protected. You want to make sure that your whole family can receive quality medical care whenever they need it, without worrying about whether you can afford it. Expats in Thailand prefer to seek private medical care for perks like shorter waiting times, English-speaking doctors and staff, and more. However, private healthcare can be expensive, which is why it’s important for your kids to have health insurance in Thailand. 

 

Pacific Prime Thailand is a leading insurance broker with over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. With our knowledge and plan comparison tool, we can help you find the best family health insurance in Thailand for your needs and budget. Contact Pacific Prime Thailand for expert advice or a free quote today.