The Baltic States are made up of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Deciding to move here is a big decision and one which should be made by the family as a whole. If you are planning on taking children with you, they are going to need to understand the move process, the country they are moving to, and what is going to be different and why.

Communication is the most important thing when moving abroad, as it can get very stressful for everyone involved. Sit down and talk with your children and let them express their feelings towards the move. It is important that they feel they can talk to you if they are worries or scared of something, and moving to a foreign country is a big move for an adult, let alone a child.

Younger children may find it easier to adapt to a new life, whereas older children may be ‘set in their ways’ and find it difficult to accept change. Language will also be a problem for older children, especially teenagers, as they will not be able to pick it up as quickly. It is a good idea to get your child used to hearing the language especially if they are going to be joining a local school where they will be immersed in it. Perhaps buy a CD of the language to listen to when they go to bed. Younger children, under the age of 9 will find it relatively easy to integrate into their new school life, and they will pick up the language quicker than anyone.

The education system in the Baltic States is very good and you can expect your child to excel in a subject and go on to study at degree level if they work hard enough. In Latvia children begin school in the year they turn seven, and the basic education lasts for nine years. There is then three years of secondary education.

The family way of life is still very prominent in the Baltics, with people coming together at mealtimes and they look after each other. It is not the done thing to talk about personal problems with anybody outside of the family, including close friends. People are very private people and it is not etiquette to invade that privacy, so avoid asking personal questions.

It can be a scary time moving your entire life to a new country, so imagine how big a deal it will be for your children. Whilst they may appear excited about the move, when it sinks in it is bound to be a scary thing to comprehend. Make sure you consider how they are feeling, and ask them to talk about any fears or worries they have so that you are able to put their mind at rest and help them to look forward to the move, rather than dreading or fearing it.