Before Taking an Expat Assignment, Make Sure Your Family Is on Board
Getting
an expat assignment can be exciting, but it can also be hard on your
family. Before accepting a temporary reassignment to another country,
think it through with your partner or family. Be sure to frame the
decision as a real choice — Should we go or stay?
And consider the degree of change: If you live in Amsterdam, relocating
to Brussels is very different from moving to Guangzhou, China. Then go
through the pros and cons of each alternative, laying out the full
implications for your children or extended family, your career — and
your partner’s — and your support networks. Try to anticipate and
discuss how the change would affect family dynamics — e.g., shifting
from a dual-career marriage to one where a spouse stays at home, or
replacing a grandmother babysitter with a professional nanny. These
discussions will not only shape your decision about the assignment but
also help set expectations and prevent resentment later on.
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