Moving can be a stressful process, especially for children. Moving from one home to another involves a great deal of changes, which can prove to be a difficult transition for everyone involved. Here are some things you can do to make the moving process an easy one for your kids.
Understand Their Feelings
Moving involves a great deal of change, which can leave children with feelings of uncertainty. If you are moving from a home which they have lived in for a long time, they may have feelings of sadness about leaving their friends who they have grown up with. If the move also involves a change in schools, they may be worried about having to "start over" with making new friends, or being singled out as "the new kid". This can cause feelings of fear and anxiety, because there are so many unknown factors. You can help calm these feelings by doing the following:
-Don't dismiss or minimize their feelings. Understand that their concerns are legitimate and should be taken seriously.
-Be open to discussing their feelings, and don't be afraid to open up and share your own feelings. It can be reassuring for your kids to know that they're not alone.
-Get to the root issue. If the cause for the move is due to divorce, death, or other unfortunate reason, then there may be some deeper feelings that need to be resolved.
-Look for changes in your child's eating, sleeping, or behavioral patterns. Consider seeking professional help if they still have noticeable trouble adjusting to the move.
Get Them Involved in the Moving Process
Having your children take a more active role in the moving process will help make it easier for them to accept the move. This will also help them regain a sense of control and show that the moving process is a team effort. You can help your kids get more involved by doing the following:
-Have them help with packing. They can help decide which of their items they want to keep or donate.
-Have them start picking the decor for their room in their new home. This will help them look forward to moving and living in their new home.
-Provide rewards if they help keep the house clean while it's on the market (a professional home stager can help you with this as well!)
-Take them somewhere fun (park, ice cream) when you have to leave the house for showings.
Helping Your Kids Adjust After Moving
Once you move, it may take some time for your children to adjust because it is something new. To help ease the transition to their new home, try the following:
-For younger children, arrange play dates with other children in the neighborhood.
-For older children, sign them up to join a local club or have them attend events in the area.
- If they are transferring schools, talk with the school principal or counselor to make them aware of the move. They can help monitor for any behavioral or academic changes. Attend school activities and meet-the-teacher nights to establish a partnership with your child's new school.
-Once you move, quickly establish routines to help your children regain a sense of normalcy.
The good thing is that children are resilient and will eventually adjust to the move. Keep in mind that some may adjust more quickly than others. The most important thing is for you as the parent to set the example. If they see you adjusting well to the move and talking about it as a positive thing, then they will follow suit, making it easier for you and your family to start the new chapter of your lives together!
Comment below with questions or things you have done to help your kiddos adjust to the moving process!
Thank you for visiting my blog! For more information on home staging and redesign, please visit my webpage www.stepitupstaging.com.
Happy Staging!
Candice McCall