CEO's POV: Don’t Immigrate for Your Kids

Hello everyone. Today’s topic centers on a question I hear frequently in the immigration industry: "Should we immigrate for our children?"

Naturally, there is no universal right or wrong answer to this question; every family’s situation is personal. However, if you ask for my personal perspective, the answer is quite simple: No.

To explain why I hold this view, I want to share four concepts drawn from my life and management experience.

We Cannot Manufacture Happiness for Others

Several years ago, I came across a short video by Will Smith addressed to his wife. The core message was titled, "I can't make a person happy." In it, he stated that he was retiring from the mission of trying to make her happy, because that was her own responsibility.

That concept shifted my perspective significantly, and I believe it has been quite beneficial for my own marriage, which has lasted 21 years so far.

The underlying truth is that you cannot force another person to be happy—and this applies directly to our children. You can sacrifice your time, resources, and even your own life trajectory for them, but you cannot guarantee their internal happiness. Therefore, making a major life decision like immigration solely as a sacrifice for your children may not yield the result you hope for.

The Illusion of Certainty

When I was younger, I was incredibly confident about almost everything. I thought I knew exactly what constituted a good life. But as I have grown older, I have realized that very few things are completely certain.

If we are honest with ourselves, it is difficult to know exactly what will bring us true happiness ten years from now. If we cannot be entirely sure about our own future preferences, how can we confidently dictate what will make our children happy in a completely different era?

The Reality of "The 100-Year Life"

There is a well-known book called The 100-Year Life, which discusses the statistical probability that many of us will live to be a century old.

The book argues that a long life is a gift, but it comes with a condition. To make those 100 years fulfilling, you must continuously learn, step out of your comfort zone, and actively manage your physical and psychological well-being. It requires a tremendous amount of hard work on yourself.

Before making a life-altering decision like moving abroad, you have to ask yourself: Are you prepared to manage your own personal growth in this new environment over the next decade? Your focus must remain on navigating your own long-term journey, not just planning your child's.

Leading—and Parenting—by Example

I have been in management roles for 27 years. In my early days, I used to try to educate my staff and motivate them with what we often call "chicken soup"—inspirational rhetoric and motivational speeches.

Today, I recognize that this approach is largely a waste of time. People are rarely changed by words; they are influenced by behavior. The only reliable way to manage is by example.

This management philosophy translates perfectly into parenting. If you truly want to influence your children and give them a valuable foundation, the most effective approach is to work hard to live a fantastic, fulfilling life yourself.

Conclusion

Do not simply move abroad to artificially engineer a "better environment" for your kids while neglecting your own aspirations. If you choose to migrate, do it for your own personal growth and the life you want to build. By living your own life well, you will naturally influence your children in the most positive way possible.

Thank you for reading.