We are moving to Australia in summer 2026 with our two kids (6 and 2), more precisely to the Byron Bay / Northern Rivers region. This piece describes how we are preparing Joris and Linnea for this big step. What works, what's difficult, what questions a 6-year-old asks and how we deal with it. Not a manual, our real experience. For families planning something similar, or wondering if they'd be mad to do it.
Why we are "putting our kids through this"
I can already hear the question: "Why are you tearing your kids out of the world they know?"
The honest answer: because we believe long term it's the right thing for them. And because we feel how much Germany is dragging us down at the moment.
That sounds harsh. It is.
For seven years I ran a restaurant. The summers were especially brutal, I was basically not at home. That affected the kids, even if they didn't say it directly. Now that the restaurant is closed, I really notice what we missed.
What we hope for the kids
More connection to nature. Life in Australia happens outdoors, basically all year round. Not just at the weekend when the weather lines up, but as the default.
People around them in a better mood. We have the feeling that the mood in Germany keeps getting worse. People are often grumpy, annoyed at all kinds of things. We notice it in our everyday life, and it pulls Lucy and me down, which then carries over to the kids.
In Australia not everything is great either. Many conversations are more surface-level than here. But the base mood, especially in the region we are going to, is simply more positive.
Less worry about the future. Not only domestically, but internationally too, we see many things in Germany going downhill. Especially what it means for the kids' prospects. That may sound dramatic. But it's an honest reason.
Joris (6): he understands it – and that makes it complicated
Joris turns seven in November, he'll be celebrating that birthday in Australia. When we told him, his reaction was classic kid: he's happy he finally gets a summer birthday.
But it's not just looking forward to it.
It was a process, not a moment
There wasn't one moment where he "got it". It was more a slow realisation over weeks and months. He's looking forward to the adventure, but you can also tell something heavy is starting to sit on him.
How that shows: He's become noticeably clingier. Normal things like going to kindergarten in the morning are suddenly harder, even though he actually likes it and everything used to be fine. He doesn't want to be away from us as much any more.
That's exhausting. But it's also understandable. His whole little life is shifting right now, and he feels it.
What we show him
We show him lots of old photos from when we lived in Byron Bay ourselves. Plus current videos of what it looks like there. We talk about the animals, the plants, the trees.
You have to be careful not to set expectations too high. In the end we'll lead a perfectly normal life there too, with a perfectly normal everyday routine. Not every moment is an adventure. We try to get that across to him as well.
The question that hit us
At some point Joris asked: "Will no one come to my birthday any more?"
That landed.
We told him that of course we'll still talk to everyone. That there will be presents from everyone. But also honestly: that we'll celebrate differently and more limited than here. In return we'll do great things together on the day, just the four of us.
No lie, no sugar-coating. But no drama either.
The questions he's been asking since
Joris asks a lot of questions. Some practical, some emotional:
- "Can Grandma and Grandpa visit us?", Yes, they can. And they are already planning to.
- "Do they have [his favourite shop] there?", Not that exact one. But similar things.
- Questions about animals, about the ocean, about his future bedroom.
What we've learnt: honesty works better than sugar-coating. When we say "we don't quite know yet", he accepts it. Kids notice when you're putting on a show.
Linnea (2): too small to understand, still part of it
Linnea is two. She doesn't yet understand the complexity of all this. For her, what matters is that Mum, Dad and Joris are there. The rest is abstract.
Still, she's fully included. She also gets shown pictures, sits in on conversations when we talk about Australia, hears it all.
Here we'll simply have to see how it plays out once we're there. I think we are doing everything we can to prepare both of them as well as possible. More than that we can't do.
How we introduced the topic
Our approach was: no big announcement, but slowly weaving it into everyday life.
Since Lucy and I talk about the move a lot, it became a topic all by itself. At first only when we were alone. But at some point it became present in normal family life too.
Timeline: Joris has been hearing about it for more than 8 months now. No "we need to talk" conversation, but a gradual process.
That has pros and cons. Pro: no shock, no sudden overload. Con: the uncertainty drags on. But for us this was the right way.
Learning English: StudyCat instead of vocabulary lists
Joris has been learning English since early 2026. Not with vocabulary lists or lessons, but playfully: through a kids' learning app (we use StudyCat) and simple English sentences we drop into the day. No pressure, no force.
What that looks like in detail, which app we use, what it costs, how we handle Linnea (2) and what really worries us about language is in a dedicated piece: Preparing Kids for English Before Moving to Australia.
The reactions from our environment
Reactions to our emigration are mixed. Very mixed.
What we hear a lot
- "You are taking the grandparents away from the kids."
- "This is a rushed and impulsive decision."
- "You won't manage without family."
- "You didn't involve us."
- "We always tried to make everything possible for you here. This behaviour is ungrateful."
That lands. Especially the accusation of being ungrateful.
The irony: we've been planning this for almost a year. Rushed it definitely isn't. But not everyone sees it that way.
What helps
Some people react differently. With understanding. Already planning their first visit to Australia. Happy for us, even when they are sad.
We've asked both families to be sensitive about the topic, especially in front of Joris. Not constantly saying "you're going away soon". Sometimes that works, sometimes not.
I told my parents about it honestly, but quite late, because I was afraid of their reaction. The reaction was actually better than expected. Of course they'd wish for it to be different. But they are trying to handle it positively.
What we didn't tell Joris
We didn't tell Joris: "If it doesn't work, we'll come back."
But we also didn't tell him it's a goodbye for ever.
Both would be too radical. We keep the option of coming back open for ourselves, but only if it really doesn't work, and not after a few hard months. We want to give it at least 1 to 2 years.
In front of Joris the plan looks the way it is: we want to build a life there. Full stop.
Our conclusion after months of preparation
Is it selfish to emigrate with kids?
Maybe. A bit. We are doing it for ourselves too, not only for the kids.
But we believe it's also the right thing for Joris and Linnea long term. More nature, more lightness, more shared time. Less of this heavy mood that's dragging us down here.
Joris will see this differently one day than we do. Maybe he'll be grateful. Maybe he'll be angry that we cut him off from his friends. Probably both, depending on the phase of his life.
What we want to pass on to him: that you can shape your life the way you imagine it. Not the way others expect it.
The rest will show itself.
Status: April 2026, we are still in Germany. Departure: 23 June (me alone), 26 July (Lucy with the kids). Updates to follow.
This piece describes our personal experience. Every family is different, every child reacts differently. What works for us doesn't have to work for you. This is not a manual, it's an honest report.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a family with small kids move to Australia?
Three main reasons: more connection to nature (life in Australia happens outdoors), a fundamentally more positive mood in everyday life, and less worry about future prospects. We believe long term it's the right thing for Joris and Linnea, even though we admit honestly that we are doing it for ourselves too.
How does a 6-year-old child react to the move abroad?
There isn't one moment where the child "gets it", it's a slow realisation over weeks and months. Joris has become noticeably clingier, wants to be away from us less. He asks a lot of questions, some practical (can Grandma and Grandpa visit?), some emotional (will no one come to my birthday any more?). What works: honest answers instead of sugar-coating.
How do kids learn English before emigrating?
We use the StudyCat app, small mini-games, no pressure. Joris picks up the words surprisingly quickly. On top: in the car we analyse English songs, sometimes I ask questions in English using words he knows. No vocabulary drill, just using curiosity. Deeper dive: Preparing Kids for English Before Moving to Australia.
What do family and friends say about emigrating with kids?
Reactions are very mixed. Common ones: "You are taking the grandparents away from the kids", "This is a rushed decision", "You won't manage without family". Others react with understanding and are already planning the first visit. What helps: asking both families to be sensitive with the topic, especially in front of the kids.
When does the family fly to Australia?
Christian flies out on 23 June 2026 to Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers region, NSW. Lucy follows with Joris (6) and Linnea (2) on 26 July 2026. The staggered departure gives Christian time to find accommodation on the ground. How we are planning the 186 visa is covered in our 186 Visa article, and the cost breakdown sits in the Cost Guide.
Is it selfish to emigrate with kids?
Maybe, a little, we are doing it for ourselves too. But we believe it's also the right thing for the kids long term: more nature, more lightness, more shared time. We know Joris will see it differently one day, probably both, depending on the phase of his life. What we want to pass on to him: that you can shape your life the way you imagine it.
Last updated: 6 June 2026
