It can be difficult for a child to be told that they are moving. They may feel scared, anxious, or sad about leaving their friends and family behind. If you are looking for ways to help your child cope with the idea of moving, we have developed eight ideas that may be helpful.
1. Talk to Your Child About Their Feelings
It is important to talk to your child about their feelings and let them know that it is normal to feel scared or sad about moving. This will help them feel more comfortable talking about their emotions. You can ask them questions like “What are you feeling right now?” or “What are you worried about?”.
2. Help Them Say Goodbye
If your child is sad about leaving their friends and family behind, help them say goodbye in a way that makes them feel comfortable. This could mean throwing a going away party, writing letters to their friends, or even spending extra time with loved ones before the move.
3. Help Them Pack Their Favorite Things
One way to help your child feel more comfortable about moving is to let them pack their favorite things. This could include their favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket. These everyday items will help ease the transition and make them feel more at home in their new surroundings.
4. Create a Memory Book
Another way to help your child cope with moving is to create a memory book together. This can be where you both write down your favorite memories, draw pictures, or even collect souvenirs from your time in the old house. This will be a special keepsake for your child and help them remember all the good times they had in their old home.
5. Talk About the New House
One way to help your child get excited about moving is to talk about all the great things in their new home. This could include a bigger yard to play in, a swimming pool, their bedroom, or even the dining area with wipeable tablecloths. Helping them focus on the positive aspects of the move will make it an easier transition for them.
6. Visit the New House Together
If possible, take your child to the new house before moving. This will help them feel for their new surroundings and get excited about all the possibilities. If you can’t visit the house in person, you can always look at pictures online or even take a virtual tour.
7. Start a New Tradition
Moving to a new house is the perfect time to start a new family tradition. This could be as simple as having a picnic in the backyard or going for ice cream on moving day. Having something to look forward to will help your child feel more positive about the move.
8. Keep in Touch With Old Friends
If your child is worried about leaving their old friends behind, reassure them that they can still keep in touch. This could mean sending emails, writing letters, or even video chatting. Helping them stay connected to their old friends will ease the transition and make them feel more comfortable.
Moving can be a tough experience for any child, but there are ways to make it easier. By talking to your child about their feelings, helping them say goodbye, and creating a memory book together, you can help them cope with the idea of moving and make it an exciting new adventure.
