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Help ease the
transition when moving with children
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Advice, Activities, and
Resources
for Moving your kids. |
Moving
can be a frightening experience for children. Communicating
openly and realistically with all family members as early as
possible will help. Listed below are some ideas that can help
make the transition to a new home as smooth as possible.
- If possible, include your
children in the process of selecting a new home.
- If you are moving to a
distant place, learn about the new area together, as a
family.
- Let children help decide how
to decorate and arrange their new rooms.
- Don’t try to get rid of your
child’s favorite items at this time even though it may make
the move simpler. Don’t throw anything away behind the
child’s back.
- Encourage your children to
exchange addresses and keep in contact with their friends.
If possible, make arrangements for friends to visit at your
new home.
- Show children pictures of
their new home, school, or special areas of interest.
- Ask the child’s new teacher,
coach, or scout leader to give them a personal phone call.
- Prepare a special package
for each child containing favorite toys, books, clothing,
and snacks to keep them occupied during moving day.
- Take a break with the family
as soon as the major unpacking is done. Don’t try to do
everything immediately.
- Parents need to be very
attentive with their children after the move and listen to
what they have learned about their new school and friends.
- Carefully monitor your
child’s first few weeks in a new school. Do not hesitate to
visit with your child’s teacher or to accompany your child
to school for the first few days.
- Any abnormalities that
linger—particularly physical ones such as loss of appetite
or insomnia, should be referred to a doctor
...back to organizing your move |
