As an adult, the idea of upgrading your home and moving to a new place is an exciting new opportunity. However, for most parents, their children don’t feel the same. Moving to a new place, and having to become the new kid and start everything all over again can be traumatizing. It’s difficult for children to move out of there normal routine, particularly when it involves making new friends.
As a parent, it can leave you feeling guilty and helpless. However, believe it or not, change can be a transformative tool for your children. Staying in their comfort zone, their entire life may hold them back from growth. The best thing you can do is help them cope with their discomfort and give them the tools to feel less overwhelmed. Here are some of the best tips for helping your child adjust to moving to a new home.
Talk About The Change In Advance
It helps To prepare your children for the move by talking about it ahead of time. Part of helping them prepare means talking about it before the actual move occurs. Well ahead of time of your move, talk to your kids about the new place you’ll be living. Show them photos and talk about what the neighborhood is like. If possible, you may even want to consider going there and walking around a little bit. Getting them familiar with their new surroundings will help them feel like it’s less strange when they arrive.
Be Realistic
While there’s no point in scaring your little ones, there’s no point in sugarcoating it either. Make it clear to your children that they will be facing the unknown full of new changes. Explain to them that while you can’t always be sure exactly how your life will change, they can prepare themselves by anticipating them. The more they anticipate change, the more they’ll be able to handle it when it arrives.
If they will be going to a new school, it’s critical that you prepare them for the shock of being a new kid in school. It can be very unnerving to have to start from scratch. However, reassure them that it’s the same as when they started in the school they were before. It takes small steps to find your social circle. Over time, they will fit in and find their social circle.
Get Them Involved
They’ll feel more empowered when they feel like they’re involved in the move. Allow them to participate in packing their belongings and planning how they’ll decorate the new house. While it may be wise to hire moving services like Lou Moves You (https://www.loumovesyou.com/) for the actual moving day, you can get your kids involved for the rest of the process. Giving their role in the process value will help them feel less angry or confused.
It’s true that children take time to adjust to changes, especially if they are big ones like moving to a new home or a different city. As parents, you have to take responsibility to make them feel as comfortable as possible about it.
