Moving with Children 
Moving
with Family? Moving with Children? Moving can be a stressful
step for a family, especially for children. They have to leave
their friends, face new kids in a new school, and adjust to
a new community.
In
general, the older the child, the more difficulty he or she
will have with the move because of the increasing importance
of the peer group. Pre-teens and teenagers may repeatedly
protest the move, or ask to stay in their hometown with a
friend's or family. Some youngsters may not talk about their
distress, so parents should be aware of the warning signs
of depression, including changes in appetite, withdrawal,
a drop in grades, irritability, sleep disturbances or other
dramatic changes in behavior.
The
parents' attention before, during and after moving process
is crucial and can make a big difference in their children's
adjustment to the new location.
Getting
ready
Encourage your children to express their feelings, and be
honest about your own feelings. Encourage older children to
make list of phone numbers and addresses of friends, relatives,
and other important people in their lives. It will reassure
them to know that they can stay in touch with these important
people. Take your children to see the new location before
you move and take a walk in the new neighborhood together.
Moving
with Children
Involve your children in the packing. Try to stick to your
routines. Have family dinners as usual. Let your kids take
with them in their own bags things that they don't want to
pack, such as blankets or special toys.
After
the move
Don't rush and unpack immediately. Spend some time with your
kids and help them get acquainted with the new home and the
neighborhood. Get
involved.
Ask your kids how they are doing in school and encourage them
to talk about the difficulties.
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