Top 10 Ways to Move with Kids
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Successful Moving
Moving is an emotional mix of happy and sad, excited and depressed. Moving with children can be difficult as they leave their friends and home and school and familiar territory. It is also exciting to go someplace new.
Most of all, it is important to keep your kids informed, so they can participate in the moving process.
Most of all, it is important to keep your kids informed, so they can participate in the moving process.
Before the move
Throw a party for each of the children -- a time to invite friends over, or to celebrate with friends by going together for a movie and game night.
Have them each pick one place to go to as a family "one last time."
Buy them each their own pair of rubber gloves for cleaning up the old and new houses. Label them!
Get each child an address book for the names and addresses of their old friends.
Get each child a journal for writing or drawing about the move.
Arrange for a babysitter both when packing up the van, and unpacking at your final destination.
A few months before the expected move, start talking about the possibility of a move. Be optimistic and positive. Talk about the new location and things there would be to do there.
If possible, let the entire family visit the new location 1-3 months ahead of time, each member of the family exploring and learning things and seeing things new.
Give the children boxes so they could pack their own rooms. This helps them not only further accept the move, but feel a part of the entire family who is also packing up their own belongings.
Put out a Give-Away box. Have the children put into this box toys or clothing or items from their room (which are theirs) which they no longer want or use. Donate the box together to a local charity.
Have them each pick one place to go to as a family "one last time."
Buy them each their own pair of rubber gloves for cleaning up the old and new houses. Label them!
Get each child an address book for the names and addresses of their old friends.
Get each child a journal for writing or drawing about the move.
Arrange for a babysitter both when packing up the van, and unpacking at your final destination.
A few months before the expected move, start talking about the possibility of a move. Be optimistic and positive. Talk about the new location and things there would be to do there.
If possible, let the entire family visit the new location 1-3 months ahead of time, each member of the family exploring and learning things and seeing things new.
Give the children boxes so they could pack their own rooms. This helps them not only further accept the move, but feel a part of the entire family who is also packing up their own belongings.
Put out a Give-Away box. Have the children put into this box toys or clothing or items from their room (which are theirs) which they no longer want or use. Donate the box together to a local charity.
During the Move
If possible, plan for a special overnight along the way to visit a place of interest, new to everyone in the family. It will make it seem part of a vacation, and a great stress-reliever.
When the family must split by driving two vehicles to the new location, be sure there is communication for the trip -- cell phones work, but so do walkie-talkies which can make the journey an adventure in newness.
If moving over a holiday (e.g., Christmas) take a few decorations along in the car or to put up in the hotel room when you spend the night.
When the family must split by driving two vehicles to the new location, be sure there is communication for the trip -- cell phones work, but so do walkie-talkies which can make the journey an adventure in newness.
If moving over a holiday (e.g., Christmas) take a few decorations along in the car or to put up in the hotel room when you spend the night.
Grief and Loss
A move is not all fun and excitment of looking forward to the bright, new adventure the future holds. There is a balance to the scale, with grief and loss of the familiar on the other end.
- Loss of home -- house and bedroom
- Loss of neighborhood and things familiar
- Loss of friends -- even if there is email and visits and other contact
- Loss of school -- and, again, familiarity
- Stay positive and easy-going. Hopefully, your children will follow your example.
Books to Help in the Moving Process
After the Move
At your new location
Let your children help with decorating ideas or where furniture should go.
Take a tour of your new neighborhood to find each of the schools, parks, nearby stores.
Take a tour of your new neighborhood to find each of the schools, parks, nearby stores.
What has worked for you?
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BigGirlBlue
Dec 30, 2009 @ 3:18 pm | delete
- I hate moving. There's always something I miss about the last place. I imagine it is even harder for kids.
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by BiciParker
Born in Michigan. Lived in 6 other states. Now back in Michigan.
I've moved with children to 2 different states, 5 different houses.
Even with m...
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