This is a guest post from Pauline Lanier: Writer, traveler, animal welfare advocate

You receive a lucrative job offer that gives you financial security, benefits, and everything you’ve hoped for. The only problem? It takes you overseas and you have to uproot your entire family to Australia. The Washington Post reports that with the state of the current U.S. economy, this situation becomes commonplace as people look for work overseas. Moves are difficult for children as you take them away from their schools, friends, and standard routine. This is made more difficult when you take them out of their familiar culture and put them in a location where the culture and dialect is completely different.

Take a Trip in Advance

Expose your children to Australia’s culture bit by bit. Plan an extended vacation in the area you’ll be settling, if possible, so your kids have a stress free way of exploring the location sights and culture before they have to worry about making new friends. This also gives you some time to get familiar with the area as well. Look for family friendly entertainment options and other ways to keep your people excited about the move. Use apps like There’s Nothing Like Australia, available from Australia.com, to listen to narrations, view images, and read up on destination information.

Consider Language Lessons

An Australian move doesn’t require learning an entire new language, but the dialect and slang can easily get a kid tripped up when he’s trying to talk to his peers in school. One free method for getting your children used to slang is watching popular TV shows from Australia. Use streaming Internet media sites like Hulu Australia to watch popular shows for immersion, as well as slang books and apps to start the educational process.

Communicate Openly Ahead of Time

Prepare your children by answering all of their questions about Australia, educating them about the local culture and differences between the two countries, and keeping them in the loop with non-essential decision making. When your children feel they have some say in matters, they’ll be more likely to become helpful and eager to move. Internations recommends telling your children as soon as possible about your move, so they have more time to get comfortable with the idea of uprooting thousands of miles away.

Resort to Bribery

A little bribery goes a long way when it comes to getting your kids onboard with the overseas move idea. Sell them on the fact that an overseas move means a new house and a new room for them. Show them home decor sites like Wayfair to help them pick out new decorations for their room. Give them a list of local events, stores, and parks that cater to their particular age group. If there’s been a game console or other big toy they’ve had their eye on for some time, consider picking it up to make the move a happy event.

Post Move

Check in with your children on a frequent basis to ensure they are adjusting to the new culture and surroundings. Expat Exchange recommends touching base on any problems that crop up as a result of the move, and whether there’s anything you can do personally to help them with any adjustment issues. Even if they become irritated with you checking in, continuing to do so will show that you’re there for them.