With all the hustle and bustle involved with moving, sometimes the feelings of children get overlooked. For a lot of kids and teenagers, moving means leaving everything that is important: their home, their school, their teams and clubs, and their friends. They are not normally involved in the decision to move, and oftentimes do not understand the necessity to move. It's a frightening prospect.
It is not unusual for children to show signs of stress, such as problems sleeping, anxiety, and lack of appetite. To make the process easier for your children and mitigate the impact of the move on them, consider the following tips:
Most people plan their move to coincide with the end of the school year. Child psychologists, however, suggest moving at least a month before the end of the school year, so that they can make new friends before the long summer break. Children adapt much better when they have a circle of friends and some routine.
Make sure to give extra support to your children through the first weeks and months in your new home. Keep the same customs or rituals going, such as movie night or taco Tuesdays, to help make your kids feel at home in the new place.