Moving TipsHow to Help Kids with Moving
Moving to a new home is a pivotal moment in a family's life. For kids, the change can spark a lot of questions and feelings that can come in waves. It's important to assure young minds that you'll be there for them throughout this transition. It's not always easy to help kids be okay with the idea of moving, but there are a few things you can do to help ease the process. This short guide will show you how to help your children cope with this new change and to navigate moving season together.
How to Help Kids with Moving
- Be Upfront About Moving
- Focus on the Positives
- Help Them Keep in Touch with Friends
- Help Them Visualize The New Home
- Empathize with Their Feelings
Be Upfront About Moving
When it comes to your moving plans, don't beat around the bush. Your kids should know about the upcoming move as soon as you do. This will help them understand what is to come and how to be emotionally prepared for the event. This will give you enough time to plan goodby parties and to schedule play dates with friends, so they can have proper closure before the move. If you're not upfront about the change, the sudden transition can be quite a shock and emotionally harmful to children. Although moving is never easy, knowing in advance can help a child be prepared and understand what will happen in the future.
Focus on the Positives
Moving to a new place can spark a lot of complicated feelings which often include anxiety and fear. To help your child cope with these feelings and to ease their worries, focus on the positives. Whether you're moving to a new community with a pool or going to be near relatives who were once far away, highlight the best parts of the relocation so that your kids have something to be excited about.
You may also have kids who don't like their current school and may be looking forward to a new place to start fresh. Sometimes, the thought of reinventing themselves and having a clean slate can make a big difference. When you focus on the positive things instead of the fears and what-ifs, your kids can have a much healthier outlook on what's to come.
Help Them Keep in Touch with Friends
Social lives are a big part of your child's memories. Having friends and a support network of peers is valuable for their self-esteem and mental health. This is why it's important to help them find ways to keep in touch with friends even after the move. Thankfully, this is easier than ever with all the technology that's available. Kid-friendly video messaging apps like Messenger Kids make it easy to chat face-to-face no matter how far away they are.
Many kids also like to play online games together like Roblox or Minecraft, in which there are options to participate in group chat. This helps kids connect while doing gaming and group activities, which can serve kids who are more "doers" than talkers. To keep things safe, parents can adjust the game’s settings to control how their kids communicate and how much of their information is visible to the public.
And don't forget about the traditional way of sending snail mail! Once in a while, it can be fun to send a paper Valentine or small gift through "snail mail" to remind a friend that you care. Help your kids gather their friends' physical addresses so that they can keep in touch and send meaningful gifts.
Help Them Visualize the New Home
While the idea of moving to a new home may be daunting, it can also be exciting when you help your kids visualize their new living space. Have your kids make a list of things that they want in a new home and try to make them happen. For instance, if they want new curtains or to choose the room’s paint color, promise them these choices so that they can be excited about setting up their new room.
Take a look at the new home’s listing online or visit it in person if it's nearby. Show them all the cool places they can explore like the front and backyard and any new features that aren't in your previous home. Have them visualize where they want to put their toys in their new room or how they want to set up a game room or den.
Empathize with Their Feelings
Throughout this process, it's important to show your kids that their feelings are valid. Acknowledge that what they're going through is normal and that it's okay to experience a range of emotions. While one day they might be excited, the next day they might be sad about leaving friends behind.
As a parent or guardian, be supportive and lend an ear to their worries. Celebrate with them when they are feeling excited and offer comfort when they express fear about an upcoming change. With your support, your kids will have an easier time adjusting to the new house and life ahead of them.
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