Much research has been carried out over the years to identify and classify which typical life experiences cause the most stress for the average adult. For anyone who has had to make a move, it probably comes as no surprise that the move is in the top ten of the most stressful events ... and when you add kids to the equation, your stress levels will only increase.
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Tips to help parents prepare their young children for the move, and help them adjust to their new home and community after they move.
1. Tell your children about the upcoming move as soon as possible.
Waiting for the word For Sale to appear on your lawn, or if your children find out about the move from neighbors, will make them feel left out and most likely angry.
2. Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of moving in an age-appropriate manner with your children.
Most children find it very comforting to just listen to them and feel confident that their parents are committed to helping them adjust to their new environment.
3. Encourage your children to help you explore a new community.
Most cities have their own website that they use to advertise and promote life in their community. In addition to information about the local lifestyle, you should also find a list of local amenities such as schools, places of worship, recreation centers, local sports associations and parks. Most community sites will also include locations of the nearest shopping malls, cinemas, and specialty attractions such as water parks, horse stables, and public beaches.
4. When packing, resist the urge to throw out all of your children’s old, unused toys.
Instead, ask the children to help you prepare for packing by separating the toys into three piles. Stack 1 goes with them to their new home. Stack 2 is for donation to your local shelter or community center, while stack 3 is only for toys that they know cannot be repaired and should be thrown away for safety reasons. Allowing your child to decide what to do with the toys they carry gives them a feeling of control in a situation that is largely beyond their control.
5. Pack any young children’s belongings last; allowing them prolonged access to their familiar possessions reduces their anxiety.
Ask your children to help you pack some of their belongings into boxes; and be sure to explain that the boxes, and every item that goes into the box, is going to be unpacked at the new house. Assemble some fun packing materials; a variety of brightly coloured (washable) markers for writing their name on each of their own boxes, bubble wrap for swaddling their dolls and soft toys, and a selection of stickers to decorate, and easily identify what is in each of their boxes.
Also Read : How To Determine The Right Value Of Your Home?
6. Take your children to their new home at least once before moving in and make sure the visit is short and optimistic.
7. Ask your child if he/she would like to have a moving party.
Invite his/her friends over to enjoy a night of pizza and movies. Take pictures of each guest posing with your child using an instant or digital camera. Keep one copy for your child, and give one copy to each guest to take with them.
8. Most kids make new friends at school fairly easily, but if your moving date is scheduled after the end of the school year, your child could be facing a long, lonely summer break.
To prevent your child from feeling isolated, you will need to take steps to help him make new friends. Soon after moving into a new home, ask your neighbors if there are any children of the same age nearby. Ask neighbors who have young children if they are interested in allowing the children to play together in the local park while having supervised play.
9. Once the move has taken place, organize a “family exploring day”.
Let your kids help you plan an afternoon walk or a scenic drive through a specific part of a new city. In this way, you will not only help your kids get to know the new community, but your family will also create fun new memories related to your new home.
10. Involve your children in deciding how to decorate their new bedrooms.
Even the youngest child should have some of their ideas included in the new project. Whether it's a big decision (choosing a wall color) or a small decision (choosing the right place for a toy box), giving your child a 'voice' will help him accept the new space.
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Parveen Tiwari can help you and if you have any questions in regards to real estate, then you must call Me today! at
647-494-0009
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Parveen Tiwari
647-494-0009
Sales Representative
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