How to De-Stress a Move For Your Kids
- 1). Remain positive as you explain the move to your children. Even if you are moving for a melancholy or stressful reason, those facts and burdens should not be placed on the children's shoulders along with all of their other worries. Use words like "adventure" and point out how fun it can be to visit new places and see new things.
- 2). Give kids as much advance warning as possible. The more time your children have to adjust to the upcoming move, the more time they will have to make peace with it. Still, only tell your children about a move if it is a certainty. Don't stress them unnecessarily by mentioning anything that is not for certain.
- 3). Collect information and present your children with interesting landmarks, activities, and stores located in your new area. Many cities and states have official websites that can give you valuable information about your prospective community. Feeling that they are moving to someplace attractive can help ease kids' stress about moving.
- 4). Visit the new area with your children before the move, if possible. Taking your children to tour the new area can show them moving is not the terrible thing they may have been building it up to be in their heads. Show them the school they will attend, the mall near their new house, or anything that allows them to gain some peace of mind and positive anticipation about relocating.
- 5). Provide adequate time to help your children say goodbye to important people in their lives. Speak with your children's teachers about having a farewell party at lunchtime one day. Provide your children with an autograph book or notebook to collect signatures, email addresses, and phone numbers. You can also pass out disposable cameras and let the whole class take photos of each other, the classroom and the school. These photos can be made into a scrapbook keepsake to comfort your children after you have relocated.
- 6). Listen to your children. Every child is different. Even within your own home, different children will react in different ways to the idea of moving. Address the specific and personal fears, thoughts and concerns that each child has. Most of all, assure your children you love them and that you will be willing to listen to, hug and help them every step of the way.
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