Just Until Payday

Moving is one of life’s most trying events. For children, it is also an emotional turmoil adults oftentimes don’t pay enough care to. Here are some things to think about.

Moving School Age Kids

If your kids are school age, you may be enticed to plan your move to occur during the school holidays. Actually, this can make things more distressing for your youngsters. School is most likely the first place your kids can be sure of making friends. Thus, moving during school holidays places your child in strange and new surroundings at a time when their opportunities of making friends are poor.

• As school restarts, your child may feel even more excluded. As the first day back to school is occupied with the excitement and hustle and bustle that comes after a holiday vacation, your kid may feel like an outsider.
• When you schedule your move during the school year, it allows your kids to go from one social scene to another.
• The teacher and the other children will be more prepared to show your child some special attention when they are the sole new student.

Settling In

Realize that there may be a mourning period for youngsters after a big move; it may hold up a few weeks, possibly even a couple of months. Here are a few easy things you can do to make moving simpler for your children.

• Investigate and explore your new city together. Look for new and unusual things.
• Attend your kid’s new school with them in advance and walk about the new school together to facilitate them to find their bearings.
• Go with your kids on their path to school until they are comfortable going alone.
• Find after-school activities where your kids can make new friends with similar interests.
• Don’t forget to encourage them to keep in contact with old friends.

Being Alert to Early Warning Signs

A major change is always very tough for a youngster. Even the most well adjusted kid can have trouble coping with moving.

Be vigilant, it’s important to appreciate early warning signals that your kid may need extra help managing with his or her new environs.

Here are some signals to watch out for

• Disengaged behavior
• Loss of appetite
• Problems sleeping, or regular nightmares
• Bursts of anger or tears
• Reluctance to stray far from the house or family
• Trouble making new friends

Picking out moving companies can be challenging enough, moving with a family can be even more difficult. There are a lot of changes occurring for you and your home. That’s why it is important to spend some time assisting your children cope with the changes happening around them. The advice set forth here will make your move go more smoothly.

Additional Moving Resources

• Google Knol advice on picking movers
• Squidoo Lens on preparing for your move
• NY Times article on avoiding moving scams