How To Prepare Your Children For A Move
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Moving is a really big deal to children. There are some parents who don’t think much about picking up and moving their family. And even though your children might seem like they’re fine and happy with the move, they could be hiding a great deal of nervousness inside.
If you’re getting ready to move, it’s always good to help them feel as comfortable with the transition as possible. Based on personal experience of having moved my two young children two states away a couple of years ago, here are some tips that might help you:
Talk about moving. Children like to express their concerns or fears. Talk with them and get them to open up about their feelings. Ask them questions like:
· How do you feel about moving?
· What will be the most fun thing about moving?
· How can I make you feel better about moving?
Put them at ease. Most kids see moving as an exciting adventure. They get a new room in their new house. But the biggest fear on a child’s mind about moving is almost always leaving behind their friends (if you’re moving far away). Talk to them about making new friends as well as staying in touch with their old friends. Help them exchange addresses and telephone numbers with their friends.
Conduct research together. Almost every family today has access to the Internet. Why not utilize that technology before you move? Get together as a family and do some research on the new city you’re moving to. Find out what kinds of fun things there are to do together as a family. Look up the new school your kids will attend. Get directions to the local public library. Just the simple process of gathering this sort of information will help your children to explore their new town before they move and get a sense of community ahead of time.
Meet your neighbors. As soon as you are moved, be sure to get out with your children and meet your neighbors. Bake cookies or brownies and walk around and meet everyone. Plan a neighborhood block party if you’re feeling really happy and invite everyone to it. Help your children find other kids their age to play with.
Moving can be a scary, but fun experience for your children. Just remember to be thoughtful and aware of their feelings during your transition and everything should go well!
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Moving Day
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Moving Day
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Comments
Glad it was helpful Amy! We made a big move 2 years ago. It was harder on my daughter because she was older and had more memories than my son. Every now and then she still has a "moment" because she misses her old home. I think it's really important to do everything you can to help *them* with a move.
I'm going to be moving my two boys (31 months and 1 yr) 600 miles in a couple of weeks! The youngest won't know much and the eldest hasn't really made friends yet, but we've made sure we've talked to him about it and said how much fun it was going to be and what we are going to do when we get there. We have also let him know that we will be taking a LONG journey (over 2 days as we also have a cat) and that he will be in the car for a long while. We are trying to make it an adventure but I have to admit the prospect of two long days of journeys plus the packing and unpacking is not filling me with joy (no matter what my husband says I am doing the bulk of the packing and sorting!). Still, at least when we move we will have the benefit of grandparents who willl look after them for a while.
A great hub with some good info.
working
amy jane says:
3 months ago
Great advice, Hope. We are considering a really big move, and this was very helpful for me. We are just starting to address the idea with the girls and need all the help we can get! Thanks :)