Moving to a new home can be a challenging experience for children. It is a big change that can lead to sadness, fear and anxiety as they say goodbye to what they have known and say hello to new opportunities. As the parent, there are many ways to help your children adjust to a move, and if you take the time to help your children process their feelings, the move will be easier for everyone.
1. Alert Them in Advance
If you need time to process a major event in your life, your children will certainly need time to process their own major events. It is important to let your children know of the move several months in advance rather than at the last minute. Your children need time to process their feelings and determine the best way to cope with this major change. In addition, they also need time to prepare for the move and say goodbye to their friends. By alerting them at the last minute, you are only making the move harder on everyone.
2. Listen to Your Children
There is a chance your children are going to protest the move, and they may express feelings of sadness, fear and anger. It is important to let them experience and express these emotions rather than showing frustration toward them. Remember, this is a major life change for your children. Let them know their feelings are important and answer any questions they may have regarding the move. Be sure to offer reassurance without dismissing their feelings.
3. Introduce Their New Surroundings
Your children may be afraid of the move because they have not seen their new home or neighborhood, and you can ease their fears by showing them pictures of their new home and neighborhood in advance. If it is a short-distance move, you may be able to drive to your new neighborhood and see the new house in person. In addition, you can also ask them to create a small wish list of new bedroom décor or a list of places in the neighborhood they would like to visit. Knowing what to expect in their new environment is helpful to your child, and they may start to feel excited about the move.
4. Meet With Their School
Starting a new school can be just as nerve-wracking as moving for children. Why not contact their new school to set up a tour or meeting in advance? If their school is virtual this year, you can always set up a virtual meeting with their new teachers. You can also find out if your children can at least virtually meet with several of their classmates in advance. This way, they can mentally prepare before starting classes at their new school.
5. Stick to Their Routine
Children rely on a daily routine, and their routine is going to change as moving day approaches. In the meantime, stay as close to their daily routine as possible, and you also want to avoid bending the rules just because of the move. Having a regular routine and rules give your child a sense of normalcy and consistency as other aspects of their lives change. Once you have settled into your new home, you want to return to a regular routine as much as possible.
6. Plan a Goodbye Party
If you are planning a long-distance move, allow your children to plan and host a goodbye party with their friends and nearby family. Think of it as a way of providing closure for your children as they move on to a new chapter. You can also use this time to help your children gather contact information from their friends so they can keep in touch after the move.
7. Take Care of Yourself
Children might not understand the changes that come with moving, but they will easily pick up on your negative feelings. Feeling stressed and frustrated is not uncommon with a move, but it is important to take care of yourself as much as possible. By taking care of yourself, you can reduce the negative vibes and tend to your children as needed.
Throughout the moving process, your children are going to need care and attention as they process their feelings and adjust to their new normal. If you take the time to determine which of the above tips work for them, you can make the move a little easier for the whole family.
Valerie Cox is a contributing writer for Allied Van Lines. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, playing with her dog, and volunteering in her local community.
