Moving With Kids

By: Adir Bel
Submitted: 2007-09-18 20:01:31
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Understand Your Child's Mind

Parting the closest friend and moving to an altogether new home surrounded by unknown faces and places is definitely not in the list of favorites of young children. From uncertainty to fearful hesitation they go through all sorts of moods. When planning the move and executing it, remember that your children need more care during this time than ever. Their sadness can be changed, rather has to be changed by listening to and helping them. There are three important tasks to be addressed to when you are moving with your children. They are

• Prepare your children for the move.
• Remember their special needs during the move.
• Help them get settled and start over at the new home.

Give the children the extra attention they need and make the moving as much as painless for them as you can.

Preparing the children for the move

• Tell the children about the move well in advance. In that way they have enough time to think and react to the moving event. Though their immediate reaction may be sadness, as time goes on it can fade and they would be ready for the inevitable.
• Share their feelings. Listen to the anxiety and the fears of your children. Let them know that you too are concerned about your new job, new city and all. This will make your children feel that they are not alone in the ship.
• If your children are older enough, try to evade their uncertainties and make them think about the prospective positives associated with the move.
• Help the children prepare a list of contact information about their friends and people they care. Assure your children that their relationship with these people need not be cut off altogether and could be maintained. This will make the children happy and relieved. After all they are more loving than the grown ups. Isn't it?
• Getting the children apparently involved in the moving is the key. Talk with them about the new home. Ask their suggestions. Show them the pictures of the new home. If possible take them once to the new home and let them get a feel of new neighborhood. This will help the young hearts to handle the issue much easier.
• Tell them about the new schools they will be attending. Show them the schools' pictures. If possible you can let your children meet its principal, class teachers or counselor beforehand.
• Try to meet the families around your new neighborhood before the move itself. Take your children along. Having some known faces at the new locality will always help your kids after the move.

Remembering their needs

• Your mood will reflect on your family. So plan well and keep your cool during the move.
• Let the kids pack their own things as much as they can. They really love decorating the boxes of their belongings. This will keep them busy as well. Also they can easily identify their boxes from the crowd.
• On the day of the move let the kids eat at the same time they used to and let them take a nap. Adhere to their routine to the possible extent. This will make them peaceful and calm.
• Your kids may treasure some special things like favorite books, beloved toys, pillows, blankets and the like. Take those in the car along with you. Whatever is important for your children should also be important for you.
• Let the children part their friends happily and not with distress. A sundae party is the best option. An album or a poster with photos of good times will add to the merry.
• Visit your neighborhood as a family and say goodbye

Help the children get started

• After arriving at the new home don't bang on to the unpacking. First you as a family get the feel of the new house. Introduce yourself to the new neighborhood. Find for fine restaurants around. Take walks around the new place. Sit in the park and breathe the new air.
• Look for neighborhood kids. Introduce your dear ones to them. A pizza or a video together will really help them jell.
• Discuss with the children the planning of their room and fixing their things. Placing the bed and the curtain color are the things you should leave it to your children's wish.
• Sign up your children with a variety of classes like music lessons, sports team, arts classes or a scout troop. This will help them socialize better in the new place and help them find new friends.
• On the first day be at home before your children. Listen to what they have to say about the new school, new classmates and new teacher. Make sure everything goes well.
• Kids take time to settle. Give them that and be with them then. But even after 2 to 3 months if they seem to have problems then you should take it seriously. Consult a doctor. Talk with the principal and teachers. Talk with his classmates. Most of all talk with child and make him open up. Setting the things on right track for your loving children is your responsibility.

Even for the adults handling the new place is very much challenging. Should we say about the kids? So, be understanding and caring. Be there when they need you and help them settle in the new home. It might be a new one. But nevertheless it is your home. Isn't it? Make your children feel the same and assure them that the things will be easier soon and new home too will be a happy place - may be much happier than you first thought.

Article source: Expert Articles