Moving can be an extremely demanding period for everyone that is involved in the process and it is even harder for children who simply can’t contemplate the reason behind the move. This could be due to a number of reasons, since kids are more emotional they tend to show their emotions frequently and will throw tantrums and scream because they don’t want to shift to another place, where they will have to make new friends and start in a new school system.
It is important for you as a parent to keep your children under minimal stress and help them deal with the process of the move. Children undergo a lot of stress when they have to move, since they struggle to adapt to a new environment and require a lot of time and patience to adjust to their new surroundings. There are certain things that you will be required to do in order to make the relocation of your children easier for them and yourself as well. Here are some of them.
Talk to Your Children About the Move
The best way to get children excited about the move is to talk as much as you can about the move with them. Get them used to the idea that they will be moving soon, and accentuate the fact that it is going to be a positive experience for them. It is vital here that you don’t make any wild promises that you can’t keep in the future. For instance, don’t promise them fantasies that have no chance of being fulfilled by you in this lifetime and don’t say things that are not true.
Children are fragile and can become hurt quickly. It is important that you highlight the positives of the move to the children and if you can, show them around the new place where they will be moving before moving day. This will make it a lot easier for the child and for you, since if the child is excited about the move, they will not cause you any additional stress.
Keep Your Emotions in Check
Children learn from their parents and are very observant about the things their parents do. This is a scientifically proven fact; therefore you should keep your emotions in check and try not to get frustrated during the moving process. This would paint the wrong image in the minds of your child as they will start to think that the move is causing you to stress and is a bad idea.
Rehearse the Move Before it Happens
One of the best ways to prepare your children for the move is to ensure that you conduct a mock move in order to familiarize your children with their responsibilities and what they should expect when the eventual move happens. This is also a great way to get the children excited about the move and you can help your children by spending more time with them and sharing positive stories and your own experiences when moving.
Don’t Disrupt Your Child’s Life
If you have young children you may have an easier ride, but if you are dealing with teenagers then it is best to consider moving in the summer months, when there is less chance of you disrupting your child’s life. Older children require more time to get used to their surroundings and to make new friends in a new neighborhood or school, which is why you should move at a time which allows them ample time to adapt to their new environment.