Although planning a move may be an exciting time for you, it can sometimes be an overwhelming prospect for children. The thought of leaving a neighborhood, friends, and starting a new school can cause anxiety and the feeling of being overwhelmed. With this in mind, there are several things you can do to help make the transition a little smoother.
The first and probably most important thing you can do is to be patient. Although most children are pretty resilient, a big change like moving can take a little longer to adjust to. How you handle their stress and support them will be a direct reflection of how well and quickly they adapt.
Be positive and enthusiastic about the move. Include the children in as many plans and decisions as possible, anything from the house hunting process to picking their room. If you make them feel that they are part of the process, then the transition will go smoother. Be sure to also include them in the small (but important) things like packing; again to make them feel like they're part of the process. Once you’ve made the move, try to set up their rooms first to give them a feeling of security. They might sleep a lot better if their surrounded by their own things.
You may also want to take a walk or drive around the neighborhood, pointing out all the great new things in the neighborhood. Spending some time familiarizing the children with their new school ahead of time is also a great way to ease their apprehensions. They may not feel as isolated if they are familiar with the school grounds ahead of time.
If you’re moving after school has started, try to arrange an introduction with the teachers before the child actually starts his/her first day. The first day of school is usually the most nerve racking for a child, so getting acquainted ahead of time can relieve a lot of pressure.
Regardless of when you’re moving or where, or how old the children are, enthusiasm and excitement is the key to helping them adjust.
If you have concerns or question about the moving process and what else you can do to help your child adjust to the move, consult a real estate professional who has experience in working with relocation and families.