At Page Relocation, our goal is to ensure that your family's upcoming move will be your simplest move ever. We are dedicated to the younger members of your family too. A new adventure is starting for them, which can be overwhelming.
Meet Boxer, moving's best friend. Every one of our moves with children is provided a complimentary coloring and activity book. This simple, yet fun, way for you to help familiarize your child with the moving process.
Games, activities, and tons of coloring with a meaningful message to help relieve any stress your child may hell about moving to a new home.
Visit our Children's Center to download free coloring pages today!
The needs and concerns of children faced with a moving home vary greatly depending on their age and the destination of the move. With older children and teenagers, psychological and emotional needs are the priority, whereas babies and toddlers have more basic requirements such as physical comfort during the transition. Young children generally feel safe and comforted as long as they are in the presence of their parents, however, a major worry for them is being left behind. It is therefore important that no matter what the age of your child, you communicate with them about the move clearly and effectively. Moving to a new home and new school must not come as a surprise and you should introduce the subject as early as possible.
As a parent, your role is to encourage communication and provide comfort and emotional support. Your children may experience a whole range of emotions including anger, sadness, relief, and excitement. You will need to help them through this emotional battlefield and allow them to express their fears and concerns openly. It can be beneficial to hold regular family meetings where you all discuss your feelings, questions, and worries. Once a child feels respected and listened to they become more open to discussing the positive aspects of the move.
General Hints for Moving Home with Children:
Encourage children to learn about the new city or neighborhood in advance (this will assist your knowledge at the same time).
Provide children of all ages with a special address book for keeping up with old friends.
Email provides a cheap method of maintaining daily contact with friends.
Take video and photos of the new home and area if your children are unable to see them before the move.
Arrange to visit new schools and meet teachers before the actual first day of school.
Explore your new area with the whole family as soon as possible.
Young Children
A key factor in ensuring a smooth transition for the whole family will be the initial reactions of each child. When you introduce the subject of moving to a new home you should be as informative as possible and explain why you feel the move will be of benefit to the entire family, not just the working parent. With younger children, it is best to keep things light hearted and fun, as they will want to know things like how their toys and furniture will be transported from one place to the other. Acting out the process with these toys help them to relate to what will be happening. Books and games are another good way to help your children express their feelings and concerns. If your child has special needs, it is important that they understand any variations in how their needs will be addressed.
Hints:
Provide the needed reassurance, stability, and security.
Show them the destination on a map; this helps them become familiar with where they are going.
Books and games are useful tools for explaining the move process.
Give them things they can do to feel involved, such as sorting through belongings for outgrown toys and clothes and placing items into boxes.
Help them feel involved on move day by allowing them to pack their flight bag, and selecting the books, toys, and snacks they would like to take.
Teenagers
Teenagers will face more complex issues about moving to a new location. During adolescence, teenagers are seeking validation and approval, this is often achieved within friendship groups. Leaving their friends, changing schools, and giving up coveted sports positions and various hard-earned opportunities will seem daunting prospects. Although they will understand the idea of belonging somewhere other than where they are presently living, they may not have the skills to accept the idea of moving easily. They may have concerns about their capability to adjust to a new culture, and fear of the unknown may leave them feeling insecure, unconfident, and experiencing anxiety.
Hints:
Be respectful of their emotional needs.
Be clear about the benefits to the whole family.
Anticipate some of the concerns that may arise and have responses prepared.
Encourage open communication and honesty.
Encourage them to keep a diary; this is a non-confrontational way for them to work through their concerns.
Subscribe to magazines or hometown newspapers that have youth contact.
Suggest exchange visits with friends.
We hope you found the above tips helpful. We look forward to making this your, and your children's, simplest move ever.