Moving With Children
Whether you're moving out of state or around the block, children and adolescents rarely relish change. Your attitude about the move and your willingness to let your children share in the experience will influence their feelings about the move. Try the following to make the move as anxiety-free as possible:- Talk to your children about the move, and encourage them to express their feelings.
- Sending preschoolers to a sitter or relative during the move may make it easier for you but it could produce anxiety for the children. Involve them in packing and make sure that some of their belongings are with them on the trip.
- When leaving your previous home, empty the children's rooms last, and restructure their rooms first when you've arrived at your new home. This helps them adjust psychologically.
- Try to learn as much as possible about the new neighborhood and school so that you can tell older children about them. You don't have to make them sound heavenly; matter-of-fact information will help ease their anxieties about fitting in.
- Encourage your children to look up facts on your new location at the library, and let them help you plot the most convenient route on a map. If you're moving only a short distance, let children examine the new house and neighborhood before the move.
- Don't think you have to postpone your move until summer vacation. Some experts believe that summer is the worst time to move children, because they have to wait until school starts again to get involved socially. Of course, if your children have learning problems or aren't doing well in school, it may be advisable to let them finish out the school year in familiar surroundings.
- Encourage children to exchange addresses and phone numbers with their friends. A few long-distance calls won't break the bank and will help your children make the transition easier.
