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Health & Fitness

Helping Your Kids through the Move - Part 1

As hard as moving is on adults, it is worse on children. Depending on their ages, you can expect everything from tantrums to the silent treatment. Even assurances that they’ll be able to keep up with friends via e-mail and social media probably won’t make them feel any better. While you can involve your children in various facets of the move, in the end, moving is an adult decision. But here are some tips to help make things easier. Talk about Moving Explain why and when you’re moving. If possible, let the kids go along on house hunting trips and to Open Houses. If they have questions to ask an agent, let them ask – children are more perceptive than you may think. Take them for a visit to their new school. Show them playgrounds, parks and recreational activities. If you can’t take the kids along, photos and video of where they’ll live and play can be an excellent substitute. Be Enthusiastic If you show happiness about moving, your kids will mirror your mood. Keep a positive attitude, but be prepared to accept their negative reactions. Listen to children’s fears and concerns, and share your own. Let them know their feelings are normal. Reassure them by reading age-appropriate books on moving. Let the Kids pack their stuff and plan their new room To small children, their possessions are their world. Reassure them that their possessions will move along with them. Have the children pack as much as possible. Give them special boxes and labels, and explain to them that all the things they packed will be in their new room when the family arrives. Talk about where they’ll put their things, and let them take part in decorating their room. Check back to see the second part of this blog on suggestions to make moving easier on your children.

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