Moving
with the Family
Moving
can be a stressful step for a family, especially for children.
They have to leave their friends, face new kids in a new school,
and adjust to a new curriculum and a new community.
In
general, the older the child, the more difficulty he or she will
have with the move because of the increasing importance of the
peer group. Pre-teens and teenagers may repeatedly protest the
move, or ask to stay in their hometown with a friend's family.
Some youngsters may not talk about their distress, so parents
should be aware of the warning signs of depression, including
changes in appetite, withdrawal, a drop in grades, irritability,
sleep disturbances or other dramatic changes in behavior.
The
parents' attention before, during and after moving process is
crucial and can make a big difference in their children's adjustment
to the new location.
Getting
ready
Encourage your children to express their feelings, and be honest
about your own feelings. Encourage older children to make list
of phone numbers and addresses of friends, relatives, and other
important people in their lives. It will reassure them to know
that they can stay in touch with these important people. Take
your children to see the new location before you move and take
a walk in the new neighborhood together.
Moving
Involve your children in the packing. Try to stick to your routines.
Have family dinners as usual. Let your kids take with them in
their own bags things that they don't want to pack, such as blankets
or special toys.
After the move
Don't rush and unpack immediately. Spend some time with your kids
and help them get acquainted with the new home and the neighborhood.
Get
involved.
Ask your kids how they are doing in school and encourage them
to talk about the difficulties.
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