How to Help Children With a Move

Moving to a new city or a new home is stressful and difficult for everyone, especially children. Depending on the age or personality of your child, you may need to help him adjust and prepare for a move. Since children are limited in where they can go and who they can interact with, they frequently have a narrow understanding of the world and get uncomfortable about new environments and new people. There are many ways to help your children adapt and thrive before and after a move.

Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to your children about the move well ahead of time. Don't wait until one week before the move to mention it. If possible, inform them of the move at least one month ahead of time. Explain why you have to move, whether for work, education or a new house.

    • 2

      Describe the place you will be moving and take them to visit ahead of time if feasible. Showing them the new city or new home can excite them to new possibilities and future activities. Highlight features that your current location does not have.

    • 3

      Plan to move at a comfortable time during the school year so your children will not have to switch schools in the middle of a term. Before Christmas or sometime during the summer is ideal because your children can get a fresh start at a new school. If this is impossible, simply talk to both schools ahead of time to make the transition easier.

    • 4

      Throw a party for your child before leaving your old home. Have your child's friends over to exchange phone numbers, email addresses and old stories. Depending on how far you are moving, you may be able to take your child back to visit. Teenagers and young adults can benefit the most from these moving parties.

    • 5

      Prepare your child's new room first. Help your child set up the new room to her liking so she can get comfortable in her new setting. Especially for children under 12, the bedroom is their only comfortable, private space.

    • 6

      Get involved with the new community. Join a parents' association at school or volunteer somehow to meet other local parents and, in turn, introduce your children to other kids their age. Making new friends can be stressful, but having parents involved makes the process easier and more natural.

    • 7

      Talk to your child about his feelings about the move. Listen to his point of view and let him express himself. Children can feel flustered, trapped or frustrated at moving because they do not have an opinion, so show your child that you care what he has to say.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Delete a Baby Registry
      Once youve given birth and have stocked the nursery with all of the thoughtful gifts you received from family and friends, there is really no need to keep your baby registry up and running anymore. Deleting your registry is quick and easy to do. All
    • When Do Boys Start Having Body Odor?
      You might smell the onset of puberty in your son before you see it: body odor is one of the telltale signs that things inside his body are changing. Though hes likely painfully aware of some of those changes (hello, creaking voice!) he might be a bit
    • How to Identify An Indigo Child
      Indigo children may have possibly been around for several decades however, it was not until the 1982 book, “Understanding Your Life Through Color” by self-styled, psychic Nancy Ann Tappe, when the term was coined. New Age followers firm