Moving can be a stressful time for everyone involved, especially children. They may feel like all that they know is aboutto change. Your child may become impulsive or have problems sleeping. They may seem unable to concentrateor appear nervous. If you are noticing some of these behaviors in your child, you will want to help alleviate some of their stress.
Leaving behind friends and school may cause children to exhibit behaviors such as lying, bulling, or defying authority. They may begin bed wetting or seem withdrawn from social situations. The most important things that you can do to help your child is to talk to them, make them a part of moving, and help them to prepare for moving day.
Communication
Talking with your child about moving is an integral part of a child understanding why they are moving. Children are often scared of the unknown. You can alleviate many of their fears by letting them know of the moving date, their last day at school, etc... Make sure to share your positive experiences with moving. Encourage them to ask questions and share their worries about moving.
Preparing for Moving Day
If possible, let the children go house shopping with you. This will allow them to see their new home early on. Take pictures throughout the home if the owner will allow you to. Let your child carry them around and show them to friends. The more they are able to talk about moving, the more comfortable they will become with the idea. Take pictures of your "old" home so that the child can keep them in a memory book.
Have your child pack up their special toys. That way they will know that they are not going to be thrown away, but will be a part of their new bedroom. If possible, let your child have a say in how their new room will look. You want to build as much ownership in your child's living space as you can.
You may also want your child to pack a moving day bag. This bag might include a few books for your child to look at or a few toys to play with. It may also include their favorite stuffed animal or toy.
Make sure that your child has an opportunity to say goodbye to friends and neighbors. Give your child an address book so that they can write down addresses of friends to keep in touch with. Make up cards with your new contact information on it so that your child can give it out to others.
Contact your child's new school prior to your child's first day. Talk with teachers about your child's normal school behavior and let them know the best times to contact you if that behavior changes. Walk your child around the school and make sure that they are able to meet their teacher prior to attending their first day. This will ease some of the fear that your child may be feeling on entering a new situation.
Make Your Child a Part of Moving
Moving day is finally here! While your child may not be able to move many things, they can help to make sure that everything is removed from each room. They can also be responsible for their special toy box and make sure that it is put in a car or spot where they are comfortable with it traveling. Your child can spend time with their moving day bag and eating a snack when they are done.
As you begin to unpack in your new home, your child may still have feelings of apprehension. Getting back into your normal routine as quick as possible will help your child to make the adjustment to their new home. They may be living in a new space, but things at home are the same and soon your new home will be as comfortable as your old one!
Here are some good links on this topic.
http://www.century21.com/smoothmoves/the_plan.aspx
http://www.moversdirectory.com/moving_with_kids.html
http://www.usps.com/moversnet/kids2.html
Scott Batt
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