Overview for Families

Welcome to Equip for Families, AIM International’s preparation and training for families. It is our prayer that the book, other readings and audio clips as well as discussions both within your family and with your mentor will all be tools to help prepare your family for what lies ahead.

Preparing your Family

Moving cross culturally with children adds another dimension to an already challenging adjustment. AIM International’s goal is that all our families flourish as you serve with us. To this end we want to encourage families to plan and prepare for family life overseas, and to start education planning for your children.

Expectations for Parents Before Departure

Required Reading

Read Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids by Lauren Wells. This is an excellent book on the implications of parenting in another culture and is full of practical suggestions. Follow the Companion Guide for chapter-by-chapter engagement questions.

Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids

Talk with your Mobilising Office

You will be in conversation with your MRO about educational options/plans to discuss education options and education planning for your children as early in the Equip process as possible. Talk these issues through with your children, especially older ones. Even young children need to be reassured that you are making plans for them and be able to have some input into those plans. The AIM International TCK Consultant is also available to discuss options in the ministry locations.

For children 3-8 Years Old

With children approximately three to eight years old, do the activities in Off We Go, an activity guide which helps children, and their parents address issues of leaving their passport country for the first time. Involve the whole family in this process as much as possible. Some activities could be modified for older children.