Children have a tendency to respond to the atmosphere set in their home by the attitudes of their parents. This means that if you look at the prospect of making a move as being an exciting adventure that is full of thrilling opportunities, there is a very good probability that you will be able to instill a similar feeling of anticipation and enthusiasm in your children.
I think that we adults have a tendency to forget a lot of the time that relocation to a bigger house and the opportunity to make more money is not something that children really have much in the way of comprehension about, and the younger the child is the less likely it will be that they can look into the future in the same manner in which you and I might be able to. Kids instead tend to focus on the loss of security that comes with being taken away from the things that they know, as well as the fact that they will miss their friends and extended family members. It is thus the responsibility of the adult to try and turn this doubt and sadness into happiness at the idea of moving somewhere new. One of the things that I recommend that you ask yourself is what advantages the child is gaining as a result of the shift. Perhaps the child will be nearer to a grandparent, or to the seaside, or to some other person, activity or place that they cherish.
One of the simplest methods of turning your child’s frown upside down is to communicate with them on a regular basis. You should frequently inform your children about the step-by-step process of what is happening and what is probably going to happen next. It is also a good idea to try and communicate how much the move means to the family and how important it is that Daddy opens a brand new office for his company or that Mommy was given a big promotion, as well as emphasizing the aspects of the move that will be positive for the children.
One of the main questions a child will always ask is “What about me?” It is important that you do your research with regards to activities, community amenities, churches and schools ahead of time, and provide your children with options and methods of participation when it is appropriate for them to do so. If you can, use the internet to look up information with regards to the new community that you will be moving to, or you might even want to ask your agent if they can provide some information so that your children will be able to plan places they can go and how they can meet new friends in order to help with them transition to a new environment and new activities. Having a child make contact with future classmates, friends and fellow hobby enthusiasts can help the child’s transition to their new home immeasurably.
Jon Huser
