Helping Children Cope with Moving

For children, moving can be a difficult experience. It's hard to say goodbye to your friends and move to a completely new location. It doesn't seem to matter to children whether you are just moving across town or to a whole new part of the country. If they have to change schools, this can be quite the adjustment. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to make the transition smoother.

Be Honest

The most important thing you can do for your kids is to be open. Tell them that you are moving, and try to give them as much notice as possible. You want to give them time to adjust to the idea. You don't want to wait until the San Antonio movers show up to your front door to tell them. This gives them very little time to absorb the information, say goodbye to their friends, and accept it. If you are open and honest with them, they will be able to trust you when you say that this move is best for your family. Tell them that it's okay to feel nervous or sad, but it's also okay to feel excited. Make sure they know that any range of emotion is normal. Getting as much reassurance from you as possible will go a long way in helping them adjust.

Give Them Some Control

Children need to be able to control some aspects of their life. If you haven't found a house, consider including your children in the decision making process. Make it clear that the final decision is yours, but consider their input. If you have already found a house, let them decide how they want to set up their bedroom. Even if the layout they choose makes no sense to you, it can go a long way in making them feel at home and in control of the situation. While the St. Louis movers will be happy to do the packing for you, letting your child pack his or her room can be helpful as well.

Let Them Say Goodbye

Consider throwing a goodbye party that your children can invite all of their friends to. Be sure to plan fun activities so that the children aren't just dwelling on the fact that they are being separated. Plan games, food, and prizes. This will help them accept the fact that they are leaving, but make sure you make it clear that they will see these friends again.

Get Them Involved

After you have moved, it's important for your child to make new friends. While they will still be able to stay in touch with their old friends thanks to cell phones and internet, it's important for them to have friends in their current location as well. Try getting them involved in church activities, sports, or after school activities. The sooner they can make new friends, the sooner they will be able to adjust and feel comfortable in their new home.

Adjusting to a move can be difficult for everyone, but it can be especially hard for children. It's something that can make them feel like they don't have control. Many children think that this means they will never see their friends again. This is why it's important for you to be up front with them, reassure them, understand their feelings, and give them some aspects of control. This will make the moving process easier for everyone.