How to Help Your Kids Through a Move
Moving can be a time of excitement featuring new starts and experiences ahead. For kids, however, moving might be a scary or worrisome prospect, especially if they don't understand the circumstances or what's going on around them. Use these ideas to help your children understand and look forward to the relocation as much as you do.
Keep Communication Open
Everything is exponentially more unsettling when you don't understand what's going on, even for adults. Children are naturally curious, so as soon as they sense an upcoming change, they'll want to know everything about it. If you withhold information from them, they're likely to assume something terrible is happening and react accordingly.
To mitigate surprises, tantrums, and other such results, discuss everything with your children before it happens. As soon as you know for sure that you're going to move, tell your kids. Allow them to ask questions and answer them as well as you can. Let them feel all the mixed emotions that might go along with it, and help them in whatever way they need.
If your move is due to unfortunate circumstances like divorce, death, financial trouble, or other problems, you may struggle to put a positive spin on it. However, your kids will look to you and your reactions to determine their own behaviors. Express your frustrations or fears, and they'll magnify them; stay upbeat, and they'll likely remain calm, as they see you have the situation in hand.
Familiarize the Territory
If you're moving somewhere close by, you can drive your children over to the new house and let them look around. Once you have access, plan a trip to let the kids see the inside of the property and explore the backyard or land, if you have any. You can even let children as young as five or six pick out their bedrooms or help with the layout so that it feels like their room.
For long-distance moves, you can still try to get a trip in to see the property, but most of your familiarization will probably be online. Pull up the listing and show them all the pictures to give them an idea of their new house. Research interesting things nearby, and get everyone excited to try them out, from museums to parks to restaurants. If they are excited, they are less likely to be upset at the prospect of moving far away.
Involve Them Throughout
When you move, kids will want to ask questions and to stay involved. You can help them process and allow them room to grow when you let them help you move in any age-appropriate ways.
Decluttering is often a significant part of a move, so let them sort through their toys and clothes and determine what they want to take and what to leave behind. Even for younger children, try to make their involvement their decision and not yours; when their world is uprooted, it's not the time to take away a prized stuffed animal or get rid of their familiar bunk bed set.
Older children can be invaluable once they understand and support the move. If you say that you need them to fill boxes or stay in the room with younger siblings while you pack in the kitchen, you help them feel significant to the process and let them know that they're valued. That alone can make all the difference in a time of transition and change.
For family-friendly moving services, look to Helping Hands Movers, Inc., a family-owned moving company that's been operating in the Jacksonville area for over 30 years. We emphasize quick service without sacrificing quality and will do our best to make your transition safe, smooth, and reliable. Get in touch today to make your moving experience the best it can be.
