Helping Kids Adjust to Moving

Moving to a new home is stressful for everyone in a family, adults as well as children. However, every individual deals differently with this stress. Therefore, one family member may experience much anxiety, while another feels happily excited.

Helping Kids Adjust to Moving

Relocating to a new town with a new job, and possibly the associated financial stress that adults may experience definitely causes anxiety. However, we can’t ignore helping kids adjust to moving.

Depending on your child’s unique personality, adjusting to a new home can cause challenges, especially if moving far away from extended family and friends. Additionally, attending a new school and making new friends is a stressful experience for many children.

Prior to Moving

It’s important to acknowledge that helping kids adjust to moving entails a loss. Kids grieve the loss of friends, their school, and extended family (such as grandparents). Although they’ll meet new friends at a new school, and be able to talk and still visit with extended family members, the initial shock of getting told about the impending move, and its associated losses, will likely be the immediate focus.

Remember that kids feel helpless because they know they don’t have a say about the choice to move. Respecting this fact goes a long way in keeping stress to a minimum, as well as preventing overt resistance to the upcoming move.

Be sure to tell your kids as soon as possible about the move and all the details. Allow them to whine, vent, or cry – this is a normal reaction. After this initial shock, have a calendar or other timeline that your kids can look at so they are aware of all of the events leading up to the move, such as the date the house goes up for sale, and the date of the actual move.

Make Moving a Family Event

Talk about the tasks that need to happen for a successful move. And, assign tasks to each family member. An example may be: “Each of us will get 3 boxes next Sunday. We’re going to spend the day cleaning our closets. Use the boxes for the clothes and toys you don’t want anymore. The following weekend we’re going to start packing more boxes with the things you want to take with you to the new house.”

Additionally, be sure to talk about the new town you’re moving to. Maybe an older child can do some research and report his or her findings around the dinner table one night.

Furthermore, take a field trip, if possible, to visit the new neighborhood, and even see the new house. Allow your children to make some of their own decisions, such as how to decorate their new bedroom.

Finally, if a child is obviously under much stress about the move, consider taking him to talk to a counselor. There may be issues or challenges that are bothering your child that are best addressed with the help of a professional.

New School

Attending a new school is likely the most stressful thing about moving for a child. But, the preparation and help you give your kids can make all the difference in the world. Some effort and attention in this area can mean a smooth transition, with minimal challenges. 

One important thing to do as soon as possible after moving is getting to know your neighborhood and the people who live there. Depending on the weather, taking a walk or drive to a local park on a weekend afternoon is a great way for your kids to meet other kids who might be attending the same school. You’ll also get to meet other parents. Who knows the friendships that may evolve – both for your children and you!

Last Words

Helping kids adjust to moving is no small task! If you have a house that you need to sell, read my blog article, “Getting Your Home Ready to Sell.”

Also, I live and work in Flagler County, so I’m happy to help you make the entire moving process less stressful so you can focus your attention on making sure each family member is prepared for a smooth transition to your new home.

Contact me to discuss how I can help!

Dana Davis
Dana Davis Properties/DHR (Distinguished Homes Realty)
Phone: (386) 569-4998