How to Make Moving Away From Home Easier

Ask your kids to help decorate their new bedrooms to involve them in the moving process.

Leaving family, friends and your home or neighborhood is stressful and often anxiety-ridden experience for adults. A move may be even more troubling for your young children who don't fully understand why the family is moving to a new home or location. As the parent, you are in a situation to better understand why a move is necessary or important. You are better equipped to weigh the pros and cons of the move and to see the potential benefits that accompany the move. Make moving an easier process for your children by preparing them ahead of time and helping them to adapt to the new environment.

Instructions

1. Explain to the children why the family is moving. Put it the explanation in age appropriate words that your children are able to appreciate and understand. Perhaps the reason is a new job, school related, the need for a larger home, economic reasons or simply the desire to live in a new environment and see new places.

2. Educate your children about the new location. Show them photographs and maps about the new location. Inform them about interesting things to do and opportunities such as local zoos and parks, museums, bicycle and hiking trails, sports stadiums and teams and so forth. Make a list of activities and things to do once at the new location.

3. Encourage the kids to talk about their feelings. Making a move is difficult is for everyone, adults as well as children. Talking through various fears, anxieties and worries helps to identify core issues that your children are dealing with. The ability to put their feelings in words not only helps the child to understand his own feelings, it also allows the parents to offer reassurance and comfort. Talk about staying in touch with friends and family through letters, email and telephone conversations.

4. Emphasize positive things about moving into a new house. Discuss the house with your children, and ask for their input about decorating their new bedrooms.

5. Assign different chores for the moving day. Make organizing and planning a family inclusive activity. Ask the children to help organize and pack toys, books and clothes. Have them write their names or decorate the box so that they know what the box contains.

6. Help the children to make friends and become acquainted with their new home and neighborhood. In addition to meeting and making friends at school, this may involve neighborhood activities such as parks, playgrounds and swimming pools, becoming involved in a church or social organization and setting up play dates or a party for children in the neighborhood. Explain to them that it may take time to develop new friendships and that it is okay to feel sad about missing their friends back home.

References

• Kids Health: The Moving Blues
• Movers Directory: Moving Tips - Moving With Children