Moving can be difficult on adults and even more so when there are children involved. When kids get uprooted and have to move to another city, this can be a very scary time for them. Going to a new school and making new friends can really put a lot of stress on them. Today, we are going to learn some tips that can help your child cope with a major move.
Keep Them In The Loop
While it might be tempting to put off telling your child about moving, this is probably not the best practice. Instead, keep them in the loop and tell them in advance about what is going to happen. As soon as possible, call a family meeting and explain to them the reasons behind the move and what they should expect.
Let Them Take Part
A great way to ease your child’s nerves and fear of the unknown is to let them take part in the move. If they are old enough, allow them to pack their own room up. This will make them feel like a part of the team and it just might get them excited about moving to a new city. By letting them take part in the move, it can also take a lot of stress off you.
Get Them Excited About The City
Before you make the big move, show your child all the fun and exciting things there are to do in the city you are moving to. Make a list of all the child-friendly venues like parks, movie theaters, and zoos. Use this list to highlight the fun areas of the city and your child just might fall in love with his or her new hometown.
Visit The New City
A great way to ease your child into a major move is by visiting the new city before the move. Do fun activities with your child and show them around the area where you will be living. This will help get rid of any fears that they may have about moving to a new location.
Throw Them A Party
A few weeks before your big move, if possible, you should throw a party for your child and invite all of his friends. Don’t call it a going away party but rather just a fun event that your child will always remember. Instead of asking guests to bring a gift, ask them to write a letter so that your child will have something from his past to hold on to. This can help bridge the gap between their old life and their new one.
These are a few tips that will help your child better cope with a big move. Remember to let them get involved and let them help with the packing. Also, keep in mind that the sooner you tell them about the move, the more time they will have to process it.
