Moving With Kids
Moving is one of life’s most stressful events, and it is particularly hard on children. However, if you include children in the whole moving to Colorado process they will feel less stress and more involved.
Keep them informed
From the very beginning of your move, keep your children informed. Tell them as soon as you know where you’ll be moving and explain why. The more time they have to accept the move, the easier it will be. Make sure to consider moving over the summertime so they won’t have to leave their school and friends mid year.
Research your new neighborhood
If you are moving to another area of the country, or even a new area of Colorado, do some research and show them some of the exciting places near their new home. Show your children pictures on the Internet of their local schools, shopping malls, zoos or other places in which they may have an interest. Your children will feel less fearful about their new home if they’ve seen pictures of the area.
Answer their questions
Children will want to know about their rooms. Will they have to share a room? Can they still have a fish tank in their bedroom? Answer their questions and reassure them that their lives will be very similar to the lives they have now. Encourage them to ask any questions they might have about the move, and you will eliminate their fears and worries.
Get their input
Include your children in some of the minor decisions that accompany moving. Ask them what color they want their rooms painted. Inquire as to what they want to have for breakfast on moving day. Let them feel they have some control over the move, and they will feel empowered.
Ask for their help
Tell your children that you need them to help you with the move. Ask them to start a throw away box for old clothes and toys they no longer need or use. Tell them to create a moving day box for special toys that they want to take with them in the car or on the plane.
Explain how to stay in touch with friends
If your children are concerned about leaving friends, assure them they can stay in touch easily with email, Skype calls, phone calls or texting and tweeting. Young children will show less concern about leaving friends, but it’s good to let them know they can call their friends and tell them all about their new home.
Keep a positive mood
If the adults have a positive feeling about the move, children will have a much easier time adapting. If adults feel conflicted or sad, children will become more stressed. Focus on all the wonderful reasons for moving to help your children feel positive, hopeful and excited about the change.
About the author: Scott Daniels moved a lot growing up, almost once a year. He loves exploring new places and finding hole in the wall coffee shops no one’s heard of before. To fund his explorations he works for HireAHelper.com – the easiest place on the web to compare and book movers.
