Helping Children Transition During a Move
A move can be difficult for everyone involved because it entails a massive amount of change, and change takes time to adjust to, especially when it comes to your nest. Particularly difficult for children, moves can uproot their entire sense of well-being, forcing them to learn to be comfortable in a new environment. If you are moving, and have kids, here are our top suggestions for helping them make the transition, with as few hiccups as possible.
- Hire a great quality mover; American Van Lines comes to mind. This is so important because while you’re focusing on the important details, like helping your child deal with the big feelings they’re experiencing, we will take care of the mundane, time-consuming aspects like dealing with the move itself and helping you handle your stuff in the new location.
- Stick to your regular routines; children thrive with consistency and by sticking to a regular rhythm they know and trust. Familiarity will keep a sense of normalcy and stability.
- Include them in the move; don’t separate them from the process. Find age-appropriate tasks that will help them be a part of the moving. This can help them emotionally build a connection to their new surroundings as they adjust. Whether it’s allowing them to start setting up their bedrooms, or requesting help in unpacking and organizing certain items, kids do really well when included in the action.
- Adjusting takes time, so just be patient. There will probably be an emotional period, and feeling like your new place is “home” may take a while. However, allow your child to experience their emotions, highlight all the positives in your new area, and take it slowly.
Moving can be difficult for children, however with the right intentions and the right guidance, you can make it go as smoothly as possible, while enabling a gentle transition for them. Having an experienced mover who understands your unique circumstances can make a major difference in your family’s transition, taking care of the time-consuming stuff while you focus on the important stuff: family.