How are you doing, kiddo?

So you've landed at your new destination and you are beginning slowly... very slowly... to settle in. It is important when raising children anywhere to be continually engaging and checking in with them. It is especially important when you are asking them to start a new life in an unknown country with a language they might not speak yet.

Listen and encourage them to explain their answers or elaborate, but be careful to not be too pushy or to respond in a way that invalidates their answer. The purpose of asking these questions is not to provide a solution, but to open up the communication between you and your child.

1. How are you doing?
(It seems simple, but asking this question is one of the best ways to show your kids that you care. Make is clear that there isn’t a right answer and that it is ok if they really aren’t doing “just fine.”)

2. What are some things that you enjoy about living here?

3. Do you ever wish that we lived a different life?

4. What is something that you’re looking forward to?

5. What is something that you’re not looking forward to?

6. Do you feel like we spend enough time together?

7. Where do you feel most at home?

8. Is there anyone or anything that you miss right now?

9. Do you feel like people understand you?

10. What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Last tip: I often feel that sitting across from your child, especially a teenager, gives less results than sitting next to them or engaging them in some sort of activity - it may just be walking side by side - to get them to open up.