This is the second in a series of posts about handling the challenges of moving your family – from the initial decision to moving into your new home.
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, getting your children involved can make the transition easier.
Involve Your Children in the Move: Tell your children about the move as soon as possible, and be sure they hear about it from you. The more time they have to get used to the idea of moving, the easier the transition may be. Young children may need to be reassured that the whole family is moving and that no one is being left behind. Allow your children to express their feelings – anger and sorrow are completely normal so try to be patient and don’t be discouraged if they aren’t immediately enthusiastic about the news. Be sure to listen to what your children say and let them know it is okay to have these feelings. Ask your children how they want to tell their friends of the move. Be sure they are involved in the decision. Offer to help them tell their friends, but remember — this is their news to share, not yours.
Involve Your Children in the Home Sale: When you list your home for sale, you ask a lot of your children: They need to put away their toys and posters, keep their rooms clean all the time, and leave the house for showings. Enlisting their help in the home sale and the move makes it a family event that they are involved in, rather than something that is happening to them.
No matter how old or young your children, they will have concerns about what the move means to them. Allowing them be involved in the process can help alleviate some of their uncertainty and stress and bring you closer as a family.
