When the people closest to us pack their bags for a new life, the silence left behind can feel deafening. Whether it’s your children emigrating from South Africa, a best friend moving internationally, or a sibling starting a new life abroad, the shift in family dynamics is profound.
It’s a bittersweet reality many of us face. You are happy for their new opportunities, yet you are grappling with the void they’ve left in your daily routine. The spontaneous Sunday lunches and quick coffee dates are replaced by scheduled video calls and calculating time zones.
However, distance doesn’t have to mean disconnection. While South Africans migrating to new shores is a growing trend, families are discovering resilient new ways to keep their bonds alive. Here is how you can navigate the emotional journey and stay close, no matter the kilometers between you.
Understanding the emotional impact of moving overseas
Before you can cope, you must acknowledge the feelings involved. Moving to a new country is a massive upheaval for the person leaving, but the effect of immigration on those left behind is just as significant.
It is normal to feel a mix of pride, sadness, and even a little resentment. Parents often grieve the loss of physical closeness with grandchildren. Siblings miss their shared history and inside jokes.
Why empathy is Your Best Tool
The key to maintaining your relationship is empathy. The psychological effects of moving to another country can be intense for your loved one. They are navigating foreign bureaucracies, finding new schools, and trying to fit into a strange culture.
By understanding their stress, and them understanding your loneliness, you build a bridge. South African expats often report feeling guilty for leaving; reassuring them that your bond is secure helps everyone adjust.
5 practical ways to bridge the distance
Coping with leaving South Africa—or being the one who stays—requires intentional effort. Here are five actionable strategies to keep the love alive.
1. Show genuine interest in their new world
One of the best ways to feel connected is to become a student of their new life. When they talk about moving to a new country, listen actively.
- Ask specific questions about their neighbourhood.
- Learn the names of their new colleagues or friends.
- Research their new city so you can visualise where they are.
This involvement makes their foreign life feel less abstract and keeps you integrated into their daily reality.
2. Leverage technology creatively
We live in a golden age for international relocation thanks to technology. Don’t limit yourself to a weekly catch-up call. Use digital tools to mimic “hanging out.”
- Read bedtime stories: Grandparents can read to grandkids over Zoom.
- Share the mundane: Send short voice notes or photos of your morning coffee.
- Virtual dinner dates: Set up a tablet at the dinner table and eat “together.”
These small, digital touchpoints often mean more than a long, formal conversation.
3. Establish a routine you can rely on
Uncertainty fuels anxiety. When migrating abroad, schedules get chaotic. Establish a “sacred” time for connection that everyone can look forward to.
Knowing that Sunday at 4:00 PM is “family time” provides an emotional anchor. It gives you stability and ensures that life’s busyness doesn’t crowd out your relationship.
4. Build new traditions across borders
Moving from one country to another shouldn’t mean the end of family traditions; it just means adapting them.
- Watch parties: Stream the same movie or sports game simultaneously while on a call.
- Digital albums: Create a shared cloud folder where everyone uploads photos of their week.
- Celebrate together: Sing “Happy Birthday” over video call with cake on both sides of the screen.
5. Send tangible reminders of home
In a digital world, physical objects carry immense emotional weight. A care package from home is a hug in a box.
Sending handwritten letters, local snacks, or small, sentimental gifts reminds South Africans overseas of their roots. The effort involved in posting a package often speaks louder than the gift itself. It says, “You are worth the effort.”
Prioritising self-care for those left behind
It is crucial to remember that your well-being matters too. The immigration experience can be draining for families back home.
If you are struggling with the silence in the house, seek support. Connect with others who are in the same boat. There are many communities of parents whose children are moving overseas. Sharing your feelings prevents isolation and helps you process the change.
Conclusion: Love knows no borders
Emigration from South Africa changes the logistics of a relationship, but it doesn’t have to change the heart of it.
Adaptation takes time. There will be missed calls and bad connections. There will be longing. But there will also be the joy of reunions and the pride of seeing your loved ones flourish in their new environment.
Key takeaways:
- Embrace empathy: Understand the stress on both sides of the ocean.
- Get creative: Use technology for more than just talking; do life together digitally.
- Stick to a Schedule: Routine provides security and something to look forward to.
- Send love: Physical mail creates a tangible connection that digital messages can’t match.
- Look after yourself: Your mental health is vital to supporting your loved ones abroad.
FinGlobal: your cross-border tax specialists
Staying connected across continents matters deeply, and so does ensuring the financial side of emigration is handled with clarity and confidence.
Our plethora of emigration and financial services includes advice and guidance with FOREX, retirement annuity withdrawal, tax refunds, tax clearance, tax exit, exchange control, pension income, and more.
Contact our professional team today for a friendly discussion regarding your emigration requirements! To contact us, simply give us a call at +27 28 313 5600 or email us at info@finglobal.com, and we will revert as soon as we possibly
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