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Moving for a small child can be a traumatic experience, but it does not have to be. With a little help your child can see the process as an exciting adventure and look at it with eager anticipation.
Communication:
One of the very best ways to eliminate fears is explaining what is happening, when and why. Explaining your game plan and how your child can be involved give your child a sense of security and empowerment. Once you know the information about things specific to your child such as possible schools, recreational/parks, gyms ext., pass it on. If it is possible, and your child is old enough bring them along on the house hunting trip. If this is not possible then once a home is decided upon take pictures for the child so that they can see their new home, school, and playground.
Be Positive:
Children often reflect their parents emotions. If you are positive and upbeat about the move they will be as well. Despite having extra stress and pressure with the move make sure to schedule family times so that children don’t fell forgotten. This is a good time to find out and deal with whatever concerns your child is having about the move. Address issues and discussing them will help your child to understand their thoughts are important at the same time reassuring your child that everything is going to be fine.
Involve your Children in the Packing and Planning:
For very small children their world is made up of stuff. By having them pack their most favorite objects themselves and labeling the box “Sara’s Stuff” will help them to understand that just because they are moving to a new place the things in boxes are going to go too. Allowing your child to say good-bye to important friends and things in their life will also give them closure and help them to move to a new place. It might help to make a book with pictures of the house, a favorite teacher, and friends for them to take with them. Include address of their friends so that they can write if they would like and invite their friends to write to them as well.
Once You’ve Relocated:
Set up the children’s rooms first thing. Setting up the things that are familiar with help them to feel comfortable and secure. Maintaining their normal schedule as much as possible will also help to keep things normal. Just because we’re in a new place does not mean that their daily life is going to change that much. Make sure you available to hear about new experiences and help to keep them upbeat and positive about any changes. Getting them involved in activities where they can make new friends is also good. For example children’s reading at a local library, finding the local playground or YMCA are good places to meet new friends!
