How to Help Kids Cope With Moving

Posted on 14/02/2024

Moving is a stressful time for everyone, but it can be especially hard on kids. Whether moving to a new home in the same city or packing up and heading to a whole new area, having your children adjust to their new environment is essential if you want them to thrive in their new surroundings. Here are some tips on how to help kids cope with moving:

1. Start Talking Early

If possible, start talking to your kids about the move as early as possible so they have time to process the information before the event. Talking about the move in advance gives your child an opportunity to ask questions, express their concerns (or excitement), and mentally prepare themselves for the upcoming change. Additionally, make sure you don't overwhelm them with too much information at once; instead, provide small details over time so they don't become overwhelmed with vast amounts of data all at once.

2. Get Kids Involved

Involving your children throughout the entire moving process can help them feel more comfortable with the change and gain control over the situation; this could include helping pick out a room color in your new home, choosing a new school or attending viewings of potential properties. Bringing your kids along while looking for a house will also give them an idea of what type of environment they will be living in - this could really help ease anxieties associated with moving to a completely unfamiliar place. In addition, involving your children in the moving process will give them an opportunity to bond with you and create positive memories that will last much longer than just a single day of moving.

3. Stay Positive

The most important factor when it comes to helping your kids adjust to their new environment following a move is by staying positive throughout the entire process. Kids are incredibly perceptive and mirroring negative emotions can have a greatly detrimental effect on their morale and attitude towards the move; this means that even if things go wrong during the transition - like unexpected delays or frustration due to packing/loading furniture - try not to project those negative feelings onto your child as they may become anxious or distressed as a result. At times like this it's important to remain positive and reassuring so that your child feels supported and safe during this difficult period of transition.

4. Make New Connections

One way parents can help their children cope with a move is by making connections within their new community; if possible, involve your children in joining after-school activities such as sports teams or clubs so that there's always something fun for them to look forward to each week. Starting anew in a different area often means leaving behind existing friendships which can make adjusting to life afterwards harder for some children - introducing them into social groups or circles quickly can make all of the difference when establishing relationships. Additionally, encouraging your kids to meet neighbours or check out local libraries/parks can also facilitate interactions with people outside of their family which could lead into forming truly lasting friendships within their new local area.

5. Maintain Traditions

Maintaining traditions from their old home - such as going out for afternoon tea every weekend - can also be beneficial when it comes to helping your kids adjust better post-move; this sense of familiarity helps create an emotional connection between their two homes which can be incredibly therapeutic for children who may be feeling lost at sea after uprooting their entire lives from one location to another. If some traditions aren't transferable, then why not create some anew? Ordering pizza on Friday evenings or setting aside specific days where everyone gets together at home for movie night is one way families can encourage bonding without having any prior ties from elsewhere.

Moving house is never easy but taking simple steps such as talking earnestly about what's going on before it happens, getting involved yourself throughout every stage of the process and being positive about what lies ahead are great ways of helping both you and your child adjust better over time and create lasting emotional bonds within their new community too!