Relocation with Kids – Easier Than You Might Think

30 Oct 2009 @ 7:50 AM

Relocation with Kids – Easier Than You Might Think

Relocation can be a stressful affair. Selling or renting your home, shipping belongings, saying bye to friends and family, leaving your job and worrying about life and work in the new community are but a few of the pressures one feels before and during a relocation.

One area of concern for parents is the children. Relocation with children doubles the stresses and worries. Most adults find relocation traumatic or at least unsettling, so imagine how a child feels. Fear, sadness and anxiety are all symptoms of relocation for children too.

Children must be made to feel included in the relocation and be made fully aware of where they are going. By being part of the relocation a child feels more involved and informed and thus reduces their levels of tension and fear.

Talk the children through the relocation process. The children should be included in the relocation process. Let your children help where they can by looking at brochures for apartments or houses, potential schools, picking removal companies, packing and arranging a good bye party for friends and family. If your children are attached to certain things such as a pet, toy, book, clothes or blanket make sure you take them with you. This makes the new home seem more familiar. Make an effort to teach your children as much as you can about their new home in imaginative ways. Show them pictures, books, movies, magazines and brochures. Relocation to a new home and community is less scary when the children know a little about where they will be moving to. Finally, convey excitement about the move. It is critical that parents always express a sense of excitement, wonder and adventure when discussing the relocation. Children pick up on emotional undertones easily. Any negativity expressed about the move in any way will quickly be picked up by children that might be a little hesitant about the relocation.

These are but a few relocation tips that if followed will help your child come to terms with and positively become involved with the relocation process.

About this article.

This article was supplied by the Kentucky Economic Development and the Texas Economic Development Guides.