Making The Move Easier For The Kids!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

by Team Randy & Jenny Thomas

If you’re moving with children, you may anticipate some (or a lot of) resistance. Take heart. You can make the uprooting and resettling more palatable by following a few of these suggestions:

Don’t jump to the conclusion that your children will, in fact, resist moving. They might surprise you and jump at the chance to make a new start. At any rate, don’t bring up the subject defensively. Deliver the news with a positive attitude.

If, however, the announcement causes real trauma, sympathize sincerely. Listen to the anticipated difficulties and search for solutions together.

Don’t disallow expression of those understandable feelings of hurt, anger and frustration. Instead, tactfully try to put a time lid on the emotional period. Let your kids know that you, too, feel sad and frustrated at times. Talk about how to deal with sadness and fear.

If possible, consider making your move during the school year. This will give your children a chance to make new friends immediately. Moving during the summer has advantages, too, but can proglong grieving many long, lonely months in a strange town – and increase the grieving about separation from old friends and former haunts.

Be as lenient as possible regarding long-distance calls to "back home."

Enlist your children’s participation in the details of the move. Try to keep them from feeling they have no control over events.

Encourage your children to join groups, clubs and other organizations in the new location that are in line with their special interests.

Look for as many avenues of "adventure" as you can find to convince your children that doors are opening rather than closing. On house-hunting trips, bring back lots of photos, literature and brochures – especially about things they are concerned about. Better yet, take the children along on house-hunting trips, if possible.

Relocation can be difficult for the whole family. Let our professionals take care of the complicated details of buying or selling, while you take care of your family. E-mail us for the help you need to make family relocation a smooth move. info@TeamRandyThomas.com