Tips for Moving with Children
The following tips often help children adjust before, during and after a family relocates.
- Include the children in making plans for the move. For example, take them house-hunting with you.
- Help your children learn about the new area.
- Through play-acting with dolls, boxes and a wagon, children can get a feeling of “moving.”
- Allow children to decorate a “special box” where they can place/pack items that belong to them.
- Let the children help decide how their new rooms are to be arranged and decorated.
- Encourage children to exchange addresses and phone numbers with their friends.
- Prepare a package for each child containing snacks, some clothing and a few favorite toys for the move.
- Take a “family break” as soon as the major unpacking is done. Don’t try to do everything when you arrive.
- Parents should spend time after the move listening to each child about new schools and new friends.
- Follow progress in new schools. Accompanying your children to school the first few days may ease tension.
- Any lingering abnormalities (loss of appetite, insomnia, etc.) should be reported to a doctor.
- If your move involves suburban to rural, or vice versa, caution children about new situations they will face.