Preparing your children for a move
by Erica Beiser
Let’s be honest, who would want to leave behind their school and friends? Not many children would, but this is a tough reality of moving when small children are involved. In a larger than life world, everything they know and rely on as normal, will change drastically during the moving process.
Parents should try to explain the reason behind moving, i.e. job, family, etc. Be prepared for you child to “vent.” They may do naughty things, be irritable and act out. This is a normal process that all children go through. Try to redirect their attention. Make them part of the “adventure.” Have fun with the normal tasks of the move process.
Give children a moving box and packing paper and have them pack up their “special toys.” Let them pick where there favorite stuffed animals will go, for example. Let them write their namew on their boxes for their rooms. Let them know that they can help decorate their new room. To help improve the outlook for children, make it a family activity to get information about the new home town they will be moving to – parks, playgrounds, school activities, fairs, etc. This information can be located a variety of ways, such as the internet, local Chamber of Commerce, local news papers, and possibly your move coordinator.
Everyone at Barrett Moving and Storage will do what they can to make a move as easy and fun for all, not the dreaded chore!! Children as well as parents should try to have a very positive outlook, and the process will not be as tough of a transition for anyone. Smile and Happy Moving!!