A Father’s Reflection: The Weight of Change
In truth, we did uproot him. We took him from the soil where he thrived—a soccer star, a beloved friend, the king of his kindergarten—and planted him in a new, distant land. A place where the language is foreign, where soccer matters less than hockey, and where he now feels unseen and unheard.
The Emotional Toll of Immigration on Families
This move didn’t happen in isolation. It came after a year filled with fear and trauma—sirens, explosions, shelters, and mourning. It’s no wonder my son feels displaced.
And I feel the guilt. I am a thief. Like Jacob fleeing with his family in the dead of night, I took my children—my father’s most precious treasures—and carried them into the unknown. I said goodbye through a screen, through pictures and videos, through holiday greetings and festival wishes, hoping it would be enough to bridge the distance.
Finding Community Amid Change
But even in this guilt, I hold onto hope. I’ve seen other families in this new land, each one carrying their own burdens of change. Like the family next door, who left their country with little more than a suitcase and a dream. Or the single father I met at the park, who navigates both parenthood and cultural adaptation with grace.
These families remind me that the pain of uprooting isn’t permanent. With time, roots can grow in new soil.
Practical Insights for Families Navigating Change
1. Build New Connections
Seek out other families who share your journey. Joining community events, cultural groups, or sports activities can help your child—and you—find a sense of belonging.
2. Celebrate Small Wins
Every step forward, no matter how small, deserves recognition. A new word learned in the local language, a first smile from a new friend—these moments matter.
3. Allow Time for Grief
Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting. Let yourself and your children grieve what’s been left behind, while staying open to the possibilities ahead.
4. Create Family Rituals
In a new place, routines become anchors. Whether it’s a family game night, weekend hikes, or bedtime stories, these rituals provide stability and connection.
5. Focus on Hope
Remind yourself that roots take time to grow, but with patience and love, they will. Believe that the pain of today will give way to the joy of tomorrow.
The Gift of New Beginnings
Uprooting a family is an act of faith. It’s a gamble that the unknown will bring something better than what was left behind. The process is heavy, and fraught with guilt and doubt, but it’s also full of potential.
In the faces of our children, we see the future. In their resilience, we find hope. And in the connections we build, we discover that even far from home, we can create a place where we truly belong.
Written by Wa Alikum Salam, Immigrant.