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Moving and kids

By
Real Estate Agent with Star State Homes Realty TX Lic# 0519122

Moving can be stressful for kids. The change can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make it easier on them.

It's important to inform children about your plans to move as soon as you can. The more time they have to prepare, the easier it will be for them, say child psychologists. Let them participate in the decision-making. If children feel included and take ownership of their new home, the transition will go much easier.

Moving is a family process. Share the excitement and responsibilities with every member of the family. Give everyone an age-appropriate responsibility. Kids will enjoy decorating our boxes. And then, once you are in your new house, it will be easier for them to find their stuff.

Throughout the move, stay as upbeat and calm as you can. Give your children a chance to express their feelings and try to be honest about your own feelings. Most children will feel some anger, sadness or may worry about the move. Reassure them they aren't alone and it's OK to have these feelings.

Involve your kids in the packing process and start packing items you will not need ahead of time. Sentimental items your children treasure like special blankets, beloved stuffed animals and photo albums should be kept in a separate bag or box you can bring with you.

Make sure children say goodbye to the important people in their lives, especially when moving long distances. Help children prepare a list of phone numbers, e-mails and addresses of important people in their lives. Prepare cards that have their name and new address on them to hand out to friends. Child psychology experts agree if kids know they can stay in touch with loved ones it will make the move less traumatic.

Brought to you by the StarStateHomes Team of RE/MAX Realty and our friends at "Two Men and A Truck"

For more information, contact the Fort Worth TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® office at 817-281-6683 or visit our website at www.twomenandatruckfortworth.com

Comments (4)

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

This is so true moving can be a traumatic event in our children's life I know my children have experienced it first hand. Thanks for sharing.

Mar 31, 2011 09:10 AM
Jim Courtney
OklaHomes Realty, Claremore Oklahoma - Claremore, OK
CRS, GRI, AHWD

Eric, Thanks for the tips. Having been an educator I have a place in my heart for the stressed little ones. Hope your advice helps the many families moving in the future! :)

Mar 31, 2011 09:55 AM
Adam Brett
The Adam and Eric Group - Fullerton, CA
The Adam and Eric Group, Fullerton's Finest

These are great tips.  My father's job required us to move every couple of years and it was definitely hard for me growing up and always adapting to new environments. I have left behind so many friends, memories and even though we had numbers back then, we never really called.  Tried writing letters, but that didnt last long either. These days kids have the power of the internet and social media at their fingertips. Thank God for facebook these days because even now I am able to find out about my old friends from ages ago! hehe


Great post!

Mar 31, 2011 10:09 AM
Eric LaMay
Star State Homes Realty - Keller, TX
Star State Homes Realty

Hello all,

Thanks for the kind words and feedback.

As the youngest of three boys of a single mother, we to did our stare of moving. Of course it was not from home to home, it was more like from one low rent property to another because Mom worked three jobs and her three little monsters didn't know how to behave.

Having no children of my own; This post was more for all the mothers out there and especially the single ones.

One of the reasons I got into this career was to give as many people as I could that since of "Home"; something that was not possible for me as a child. I really understood what "Home" meant (after my Mother remarried after I was fifteen) and I had long been gone and started real estate and I helped my parents downsize to their current home (next door to my house), and my niece just cried and cried because they were selling her "Family Home". It was at that point I really understood what Home Ownership really means.

 

Mar 31, 2011 11:17 AM