Easier
Moving can be a challenge for even the most organized person.
But it can be especially difficult for children, doubly so if a new
neighborhood or a school change is involved. Your experiences may
vary, but the key to making your move a success with your children
is to get them involved.
Fortunately there are some steps that you can follow to minimize
stress on both yourself and your little ones. Try these ten tips to
make your relocation as tension free as possible.
1. Stay positive: Treat your relocation as an
adventure. Your child may be upset about leaving behind friends and
family, but they’re going to look to you for support. When speaking
to your child about the move, try to place an emphasis on the
positive aspects and play down the negative. It doesn’t sound like
a lot, but it can make a world of difference.
2. Be Available: Your child may have many questions
about the process. These can range from “What will my new school be
like?” to “Why are we moving?” but they may also have some
questions you can’t anticipate. Answer their every question with as
much details as possible. It seems like common sense, but being as
honest an open as possible will go a long way.
3. Determine what they’re going to miss the most: Sit
down with your child and ask them what they are going to
miss the most. These may be things that you can easily replicate in
your new home. Simple things like missing a favorite restaurant or
a playground can be solved in advance and take a lot of stress out
of the equation.
4. Include them in the process: Ask for their help in
your home search. After you’ve selected severalcandidatehomes, ask
for their opinions. Include follow up questions on why they like or
dislike certain features. Take your child on several showings
ifappropriate.
6. Ask what they want in a new house: Try sitting down
with your child and asking them what they’d like in a new
home. What is most important to them? Is it a big back yard or
maybe close proximity to bike trails?
6. Get them excited about their new room: Once you’ve
selected your new home, allow your child to plan the layout of
their new room. Consider providing them with color swatches and
construction paper so they can decide where everything is going to
go. Even if things change, it will get them excited about the
process and take their mind off of the change of environment.
7. Throw a party: Throwing a small going away party
before the move may help provide some closure and allow your child
to say goodbye to their friends if your new home is in a different
neighborhood. You can use this as an opportunity to collect email
addresses from parents so your child can stay in touch.
8. Take a trip down memory lane: Plan a visit to your
child’s favorite places before the big move. Consider going to
their favorite park, or eating dinner at their favorite restaurant
on the last day in your old home.
9. Keep an address book: Encourage your child to keep
an address book and stay in touch with their friends. It can be
reassuring for them to know that all of their friends are just an
email or letter away.
10. Take a tour: After the big move and things start to
settle, consider purchasing a guide book specific to your new
neighborhood. Plan some fun activities in your new community.
Consider signing up with a local Girl or Cub Scout group or joining
a sport. This will help create new friends right away.
It may take children several weeks to adjust after a move. The
best you can do is remain patient, stay on the lookout for
adjustment problems and make yourself available.
You might find some of these books helpful:
- The Moving Book: A Kid’s
Survival Guide - We’re Moving!
- A Tiger Called
Thomas - Good Answers to Tough
Questions: Moving
If you’ve just begun your Boston real estate search, contact our
Relocation Department at
Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty today to help you get
started!