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Ask our 7 (soon to be 8) year old son how he feels about moving to Israel and he raises his thumb to the middle. It's not up, neither down, but parve.

As a member of an Aliyah 2019 group on WhatsApp, here and there the topic changes from how to apply to a visa to how to help children through such a huge transition.

It's not easy. This past shabbat our son declared "I'm going to miss everything about this country." Pretty bold statement. But who can blame a child who has never been there?

These reactions are what make us not cry, rather keep a healthy perspective in check . It is hard. Especially when others around you ask how everything is going and really, it's been good - so you smile, and walk past when you can to avoid anymore emotional talk.

A few tips of what we have been doing to help the kids:

1) Limit screen time. Yes, it's hard with so much packing and rearranging that you can't have the TV as a babysitter. We got rid of ours, but still battle an old iPhone and kindle. Point is that there's limited time to enjoy those American moments and friendships - - go on a hike!

2) Purchase small toys and some for the aircraft. Make sure not to confuse Legos as flameable rather that something else was... so now you have to find something else.

3) Take along their favorite cereal (cup size) so they don't have a near vomit episode of airplane egg breakfasts (sneak in another cereal for yourself too)!

4) Carve out special parent time. Tonight our son went to his first baseball game and returned stating "it was awesome!" We are still deciding what to do for our girlie. Likely ice cream followed by something fun.

5) Let them in your bed in the morning. Cuddle them and assure them that they'll be ok.

6) Make sure they know why you have decided to move the family. On Sunday I listed ideological, safety concerns and that it's our country as reasons. Our daughter whispered "mommy, there's one more reason: it's warm."

7) Start sharing with them plans with what to do once you get there. For example, my birthday is July 20 and I offered that we go eat at McDonald's in Israel. I might just have a drink of sorts there... I have a complex I'll have to work on.

8) Repeat, a lot, that they can call their friends whenever they want. And that they will make new friends. This is key and linked to self esteem. In the meanwhile, set up playdates with friends they ask to play with and don't ask questions.

9) Kiss your kids a lot. We've been high fiving them as well. And dancing. Music makes every worry disappear.

10) Pack a ball. When all else fails. Pack a ball. Where there's a ball, others will follow.

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