Moving in and of itself is stressful to you as an adult, so imagine how stressful it could be to your children. While you may think it is easy and simple for a child to move, this is not always the case. Remember, your child will need to make new friends, learn new directions, and may not feel comfortable in the new home right away. This can cause them a lot of anxiety and to top it off, they have to say goodbye to everything they currently know and love.
The tips provided to you below are designed to assist you in making a move with your kids as seamless and stress free as possible.
Don’t Hide it From Them
Imagine being told one morning that you are moving that day and you do not get to say goodbye to your friends, and you only have one hour to pack up. Yikes! Don’t do that to your children. You should tell your kids about the move the moment that you decide you are going to move. By doing this, you are giving them time to process the event that is going to take place and handle the emotions that come along with it. You should make sure that YOU are the one to tell your kids and do not let them hear it through the grapevine either.
Remind Your Children What They Have to Look Forward To
It can be easy to focus on the negatives of moving from one home. Your kids may feel like they are leaving behind everything they know such as friends, family, and their childhood home. To help them prepare and alleviate some of the stress of the unknown, let them know what they have to look forward to.
For example, talk about how the weather will be different, what the new school will be like, what the new home looks like, or any exciting things that may be going on in town. You could also spend some time looking up the area, home, and school online and browsing the Internet with your children to help them feel better about the situation.
Go for a Visit BEFORE the Move
Before you move to your new home, take a trip there. You could plan a small weekend getaway and explore the city around you, take a look at the home itself, and check out some of the local hotspots. This will help your children feel more comfortable with the move and give them something to look forward to.
Don’t Pack Up Everything of Your Child’s
It can be easy to just throw everything into boxes to get the house packed up. Children tend to pack slower and may take, what to you, feels like forever to do something simple. It is important that you refrain from simply tossing all of your child’s items into a bag or box and calling it a day. Give your child some empowerment and allow them to pack up their own items.
In addition, set aside your child’s most beloved items such as their favorite toys and blankets. These comfort items will help them feel better and provide them with a safety net.
Have a Going Away Party
Saying goodbye is hard and something that no one wants to do. While you do not have to say “goodbye,” it is important to allow your child the opportunity to tell their friends and family that they will see them later. You should hold a going away party and invite your child’s friends to this party. This way, your child gets to see them before leaving, exchange phone numbers, and enjoy one of their last nights in town.
Moving with Your Children Can Be Fun
Moving is complicated and can be stressful for both children and adults; however, it does not have to be a day filled with sadness, stress, and anxiety. The above tips can help alleviate some of the stress that children may feel on moving day.
