parenting from a distance
essential tips for staying connected with your child in the UK and how Bright World can help
long-distance parenting
Whilst going abroad to study in the UK can be an exciting new experience for our students, some parents can often feel disconnected from their child's new life abroad.
Families want to keep a strong connection with their children despite physical distance, and might worry about their child's emotional well-being and academic performance whilst away from home.
At Bright World, we aim to provide guidance and emotional support for parents during this transition period.
homesickness and culture shock
There are always one or two students who struggle with homesickness and culture shock when they arrive in the UK, causing upset, anxiety or frustration for parents and children alike.
At Bright World, many of our staff have travelled, or studied overseas, and know the feeling all too well. Training is provided for all Bright World staff and we ensure they are fully aware of the distress homesickness can cause, so they are ready to care for our students as best as possible.
To read more about how Bright World can help with homesickness and culture shock, please read our blog
care-packages and mail from home
Some parents might like to send care packages with small gifts or memento's from home; books, toys, stationery, card games, or a blanket can all go a long way in making a child feel a sense of home whilst abroad. Some parents even write letters to their children so they can pin them on the wall in their rooms at school.
keeping in touch
Staying in touch frequently can help establish structure and continuity whilst away. These regular check-ins keep parents up to date with the goings-on in their child's day to day life; how their studies are going, are they enjoying their extra-curricular activities and what they're doing for fun in their free time?
Parents also like to take part in activities with their child, even from a distance. Sharing photographs from trips, playing online games together, or exchanging thoughts on a new book, can all help stay connected.
Bright World Buddies visit their students at school during the first few days of term, and check-in with them throughout the academic year. This is very important as they are providing another level of care and attention, in addition to that offered at school. Students know that their Buddy is there on behalf of their parents and that they do not work at the school, and students feel that they have a mentor on their side.
using tech to stay connected
In our current age of technology, staying in touch is easier than ever. Whilst many schools have policies limiting students' device time during term time, the weekends, exeat weekends and half-terms are the perfect time for video calls, online messaging and phone calls. Many schools encourage students to stay in touch with their parents via email, helping bridge the geographical gap.
how can Bright World help parents stay in touch?
At Bright World our Guardianship Care Team is always available to parents who have any queries or concerns whilst their child studies in the UK.
Parents can also stay involved in their child's academic life via our BLINK Parent Portal, where parents can keep track of school term dates, review parent evening feedback, and read our reports.
Alongside BLINK, parents and students can use the Bright World app to access useful information on our guardianship program, keep up to date on guidance, safety information, rules and contact information.
