Preparing Children for a Move
These pointers will help kids to make a smooth transition
By FrontDoor.com | Published: 7/08/2008
A goodbye party is the perfect place for children to exchange presents and information with friends.
Have a going-away party.
A going-away party is a great way to create some lasting memories from the old home. Have your children help plan the event.
Be creative! Buy a T-shirt or stuffed animal for your child and ask their friends to sign it or write a special message on it. Be sure to have a special address book at the party where friends can write down their contact information.
Leslie Levine says she had a goodbye party for her daughter where she gave out bags with self-addressed, stamped cards for her friends to send her.
"She got mail (at the new address) for a long time," Levine says.
Make the new house seem familiar.
When Levine moved from Chicago to Rochester, N.Y., she wanted to do something special. So she enlisted the help of her real estate agent who planted some well-chosen toys for her daughter and son, then 8 and 3, to find in their empty closets.
"For my daughter, we had an American Girl doll and my son this Little Tykes garage thing," Levine says.
The surprise worked. "Who wouldn't want to find something wonderful in their empty closets after moving away from everything familiar?" she says.
Continue fun family rituals, and start new ones!
Is Tuesday always taco night? Try to stick to your fiesta schedule, even during the hectic unpacking process. Continuing family pastimes you enjoyed in your old home can help kids feel at home in the new place.
"You can also come up with some new rituals, like pizza in the living room," Levine says.
Keep it positive.
Even if you're less than thrilled about the move, Lori Collins Burgan says it's important to have a positive outlook about your situation.
"Don't always be comparing the old community to the new community in a negative way," she says.
Your attitude about your new surroundings will rub off, so it will be easier for your kids to adjust if you're adjusting well, too.
Portions of this article were written by Allison Bisbey Colter, a contributor to Relocation.com, a leading provider of moving quotes and information on moving companies.
GO TO: Part 1: Get Started
GO TO: Part 2: Plan and Pack
GO TO: Part 3: Moving Day
GO TO: Part 4: Settle In
GO TO: Moving Guide
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