Moving is never easy no matter how old you are. But for kids, moving means more than a change of scenery. It’s leaving your room, your friends and your school.
It’s true that kids are resilient. For their small stature they are full of courage and have a healthy optimism towards life. Still, moving can be extremely unsettling depending on your child’s age and emotional health. No matter how you spin it, parents, the whole process of moving can be a very unhappy one for a child. Help your kid cope with moving with these tips and ideas.
Talk About the Move
Sometimes things seem scarier to kids when they don’t quite understand what is happening. Coming home from school one day finding their home or room packed up can be very disconcerting to anyone. Sit down with your kid and talk with him or her about moving. Tell them why you are moving, when you are moving and what the trip will be like. Find and share some exciting facts about your new city with your child. You might have pictures of your new home and city. Ultimately your child will take cues from you on he or she feels about moving.
A Moving Kit
Make the move a journey by assembling for your kid a moving kit. For a child younger than three this may not be necessary. But for kids who are more mature and observant of what is happening around them, a moving kit is a good idea. A moving kit could include a map, a magnifying glass and pictures of your destination. Add some coloring books, crayons and simple activities to keep your child occupied rather than stressing over a long drive or move.
Keep Your Kid In Touch
Before the move help your child fill a book with names and addresses of school friends, family members and neighbors. Then together shop for stationary including paper, envelopes and stamps. Help your child write letters and postcards to friends back home.
After the Move
Help boost your kid’s confidence by getting him or her connected with new friends. Find suitable age groups through libraries and community centers in your new town. Encourage your child to meet new people and remind them that they don’t have to abandon old friends to make new ones.
Picture It!
You and your kid can build a photo album with pictures of new friends and old friends. You could also include pictures of friends from the old school and the new school. Make the pictures really special by adding scrapbooking touches like borders, frames and clip art.
You can help your kid cope with moving by incorporating just a few of these simple ideas.
