Smooth the Move For Your Children

Moving across Fort Collins, within Colorado, or across the country? This is a huge event for the entire family! Residential moves are many times associated with a job change, marriage or divorce, a family death, a new home purchase, or a new addition to the family. Along with the event that may be the initial reasoning for the move, the family is also dealing with the numerous life changes a relocation brings, all at once.

For children, the effects of a move can be even more strenuous. While some children may see the change as an exciting new opportunity, others may not. A new bedroom, new neighborhood, new school, new friends, new bus ride, new schedule, new teachers, new coaches… everything is new at once. All this “new” means transition and the unknown for children that are accustomed to their current routine. As parents, there are ways to make this less scary and an smoother process for everyone involved.

An article on www.About.com discusses strategies for reducing stress, anxiety, and making a family move an easier experience. Here is a list of 6 steps for easing the transition for children during a move:

Involve children in the move as early and as much as possible.

Try to maintain daily routines.

Be patient with children and empathize with their feelings.

Help children make new friends and get them involved in their new communities.

Visit new schools to see if orientation programs are available for newcomers.

Look for warning signs of children not adjusting well.