Anyone can struggle with residential relocation, but children are particularly vulnerable.
While moving to a new home is bound to generate a wide range of emotions for your family members, your children may experience some stress along the way. Starting over somewhere new and unfamiliar can be overwhelming and scary, particularly for children who are used to a standard routine.
You can help your kids adjust and successfully transition to a brand-new home with the proper planning and understanding. Here are a few strategies to help your kids cope with the impending changes.
1. Allow Children Some Control When Possible
Take your child with you when you are looking for a new home if you can. Consider their opinions when moving to a new place as one of the decision-makers.
Additionally, let your child choose the color and furniture for their room. Then, before unpacking the rest of your house, set up your children’s rooms first, so they have a familiar spot to call their own.
2. Help Your Kids Say Goodbye Before the Move
Your children will likely leave behind familiar friends, family, and neighbors. If your children are in school, they need to bid farewell to valued teachers and classmates, not to mention their familiar hometown.
Sometimes it’s wise to allow your children the time to grieve the things they are losing while providing optimism about their future in their new home. Giving them a chance to say goodbye to their favorite places and people will give them a sense of closure before starting a new chapter of their life.
3. Stay in Contact With Friends
Your children might be afraid that they will lose their current friends after a move. And while the distance will make staying in touch a challenge, maintaining that friendship is still possible.
Encourage your kids to exchange photos with their friends before you move. Then place those photos in their new room as a reminder of their friends.
Technology and social media apps make staying in touch easier today. Encourage your children to share stories about their new home, neighborhood, and experiences.
4. Explore Your New Neighborhood
You want to make relocating enjoyable for the whole family, and exploring your new area is critical. So it’s essential to dive in and get started right away. Visit a park or find a good pizza place when you arrive at your new home.
Then, once the chaos of moving has calmed down, take your kids around town with you and help them discover. Assist them in getting oriented to their new school and campus. Doing so will make them more familiar with the area and feel less anxious.
Moving the Family
Saying goodbye to the home where your children have grown up is difficult. However, you want to help them in the best way possible and make the transition positive. Let us assist with the move so you can assist your family in making the transition. Contact us for a free quote.