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Moving with Kids
Topics: families, kids, children, relocation, moving
Anonymous user Sun Jun 3, 2007 13:45:45 PDT
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For anyone who has ever had to move, there’s no doubt that the act of moving is one of the most stressful events you’ll ever take part in.  Even if the move is happening because of a positive development, such as a job promotion or a marriage, the act of gathering all your earthly possessions and shifting them from one place to another is a trying, difficult thing to do.

For kids, depending on their age, moving can be an extremely traumatic experience.  Being kids, they get no say in whether or not they’re going, which can create a sense of helplessness and cause them to be resistant to the entire situation.  But with a little advance planning and a few friendly pointers, you can ease their transition to their new town. 

• Prior to making your announcement about the move, take the time to gather some information about your new city.  Kids of different ages will be curious about different things, so try to keep that in mind as you research your new neighborhood.
• Tell your children about your upcoming move as soon as it is certain that you will be moving, and you have learned enough about your new community to be able to answer some of their questions.
• Frame the move in as positive a light as you can.  Children look to their parents for guidance about how to handle big issues, so the way you present the situation to them will make a big difference in how they handle it.
• Expect that your kids will have different emotions about moving on different days.  Some times they will be excited and ready for the adventure; other days they may be scared or hostile.  Let your kids know that they can be honest about their anxiety and that you will work through it together.
• Involve your children in as many decisions regarding the move as you can.  If you are not close enough to drive to Bakersfield, take some time to find interesting sites about Bakersfield (like this one) and share them with your kids.

Consider some of these resources for more tips and techniques to help your children have a positive moving experience:

Bakersfield’s Just 4 Kids is a great place for younger kids to learn about Bakersfield.

What Kids Who are Moving Should Do is an excellent article about moving written especially for kids.

Making Moving Fun for Kids is an article with tips to assist in making a successful transition from your old home to your new home.

Moving tips: Moving with Kids provides valuable advice for moving with kids of all ages.

Moving Right Along:  From the folks who bring you Sesame Street, an article dealing specifically with easing the fears of younger children when it comes to moving.

 

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