find it even more traumatic. They have fewer emotional resources to rely upon, and they also have
their own particular fears and worries about what the move will mean to their social relationships with
friends at their present school. Making friends and settling in at a new school is one of the major worries
that children have when moving from one city to another to live. Unlike adults, however, youngsters
may not be able to express these fears directly, indeed, small children may only be aware of them on a
subconscious level.
Thankfully, parents and other adults can take proactive steps to make moving less upsetting for the kids.
General strategies that will prove helpful include involving the children as much as possible in the move
itself. This means more than just asking them to pack their own toys or carry boxes, it also includes
letting them make age-appropriate decisions related to the move, such as which take-out food the family
should eat when they take breaks from packing. These efforts will help children to perceive the move as
something they are doing with their families instead of feeling that it is something being done to them.
Above all, parents should stay positive and upbeat throughout the moving process. If adults in the family
are worried about finding a job at the destination city or regretting the necessity of leaving relatives
behind, they should keep these feelings to themselves. There is no point, after all, in adding burdens
onto shoulders too young to bear them.
Prepare children well ahead of time
Most kids will accept a move better if they have time to adjust to the idea. Parents, therefore, should
avoid the common temptation of thinking that "ignorance is bliss." Instead, parents should tell children all
about the move as soon as the plans have been finalized.
Help children get to know their new neighborhood in advance
With modern technology, parents can help children explore their new city ahead of time. Using a search
engine, families can find out what parks and libraries are located near their new home; they can even find
out detailed information about neighborhood schools. Perhaps best of all, programs like Google Earth
can let children take virtual "walks" around their new neighborhood. All of these activities can help to
eliminate fear of the unknown, a common source of children's anxiety about moving to a new city.
Consider practical needs
Most moves from one city to another involve adjusting to a different size of house. When the new house
is smaller than the old one, children may fear that they will have to throw away some of their beloved
toys. One way to avoid this circumstance is to arrange for storage units in the new city.
Of course, children may feel upset at the prospect of storing some of their toys. One way around this
difficulty is to institute a system of "toy sets." Children can assist in splitting their toys up into three or
four groups, one of which will be placed into storage. Then, at regular intervals, families can swap a
stored set out, replacing it with a set that has been in recent use.
In addition to saving space in the new home, this strategy makes it seem like Christmas comes several
times a year, since children react with great joy when receiving piles of toys they had largely forgotten
about. Some parents even find that their children use and enjoy their toys more when they have
revolving sets rather than having all of their playthings constantly present.
Relocating to a new city is always more complex when children are involved, but moving with kids can be
a positive experience if the parents plan ahead, consider their children's emotional needs, and maintain a
good mental attitude of their own. Please remember: if things get too much for you never break down or
have a row when the children are present.
Disclosure: The reviews and or opinions on this blog are my own opinions . No monitory compensation was received. I was not required to write a positive review. Your experience may differ. The opinions I have expressed are my own I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising .
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