Relocation Relationships and the Trailing Partner
by Heather Markel
Relocation and Relationships - Following Your Partner to Their Home Sometimes, when a couple, or a family, relocate, they venture to a city that is home to one, and foreign to the other. What I mean is, let's say you're British, and you meet your partner on assignment in New York, and then decide to move, together, back to England, where you're from, but your partner has only visited. There's a host of challenges that will confront your relationship, as any couple that may relocate, but when one of you moves back to your home country, you need to build in some extra sensitivity for your foreign partner. Using the case of the English Expat moving back home with an American partner or spouse, it's very easy to presume that since everyone speaks English, and you have amazing friends and family back home, your partner will have no problem at all adjusting. Transitioning to new places is different for each person. So, you need to build in some sensitivity here, or your partner will quickly feel unwelcome, and ostracized. Remember that the bond you have with people you've known your whole life can feel daunting to someone who's just met them. You have a lot of history, and connection, and things in common, but your partner may not. In fact, there's a possibility your partner may not get along with all of your friends and family. You need to respect this. Also, sometimes people need their own, separate friends, with whom to relate. Establishing your own network of friends in a new place is extremely rewarding, and often goes a long way in making one feel successful, and at home. So, in addition to encouraging your partner to befriend everyone you know, it's also a good idea to encourage them to make their own friends outside of your inner circle. Another area to build a framework around together is your comfort in meeting people. One of you may be extremely outgoing, the other more shy. So, work with one another to find methods that the shy partner can comfortably adapt to meet new people, and try new experiences. It's easy to get frustrated, as the outgoing person with lots of friends, if you feel that your partner isn't making any effort to meet people. Try channeling the frustration into compassion and understand what your partner needs to feel safe and able to try stepping into this new world. As the English Expat, you may have moved to America on your own, and made a great group of friends through your work, and found it fairly easy to fit in. Remember, your partner is moving to be with you, and may have given up friends, family, and work to follow you. There's a period of loss that inevitably follows which cannot be ignored, and which may impact their interest in exploring their new home. I'd like to offer you a FREE report where you can learn about the 7 biggest mistakes people tend to make when relocating, and what you need to do to avoid them. Just go to http://www.howtofeelathomeawayfromhome.com/7relocatingmistakes to get your free copy. From Heather Markel, The Culture Transition Gal Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Markel Guestbook • Contact • Answers ASAP • Our Community • Blog Site Map • Privacy Policy • News • Videos • Experts • Links |