THE MARSHALL REDDER HOMESELLING SYSTEM - ***** FREE REPORT ***** - KIDS AND MOVING

THE UNKNOWN IS the most frightening thing in your child’s life––leaving home forever is inconceivable. Very young children may think their favorite possessions or pets will stay with the house; older children worry about new schools and finding friends––relocating can be traumatic, BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE. We’d like to help make it a delightful new experience, even an adventure, and you can turn your child’s attitude to one of eager anticipation.

EXPLAIN THE ABC’S OF MOVING

Open communication from the start is the best way to overcome children’s fears. Very young children don’t know what moving means––explain why, when and where as soon as your decision is final. If possible, show them their new location, tell them about places of special interest to children, schools, recreational areas, take photos if you can’t bring them along house hunting. INVOLVE them in this new project.

STAY UPBEAT

It’s a busy time and you are bogged down with details, but now is the time to schedule a little family time to make your children know you haven’t forgotten them. Children tend to mirror their parents’ emotions––if you’re happy, they will be happy. Listen to their concerns and respond honestly. Accept negative feelings, be honest about your own doubts while reassuring your children that everything will turn out all right. Check the library or bookstore for appropriate books and read them together.

INVOLVE THEM IN PLANNING AND PACKING THEIR STUFF

A small child’s world is made up of their possessions. “My house, my yard, my tree, my teddy bear. . .” Assure them that most of their world (including you) is moving with them. Give them special boxes to pack favorite things in, and label them using their names. Enlist their help in deciding what they want to keep and pack, and what they don’t want anymore. Talk about how they’d like their new room decorated, and where their favorite things will go.

SAYING GOOD-BYE - CLOSURE

Create a memory book with your children including photos of friends, favorite places, rooms, the house and yard; be sure to include names, addresses and phone #’s. Plan a going-away party, and invite old friends to your new house. Reassure your children that they can communicate with their friends.

WHEN YOU FIRST GET THERE

Set up your children’s rooms first. Open the cartons with their stuff and make them feel at home before they have a chance to feel “lost”. Keep their schedules as normal as possible. Listen and share in their new experiences. Call on new neighbors to find other children who live nearby. Invite new friends and neighbors to visit. Look into one or two activities of interest from sports to drama - wherever your child’s focus is, and where new friends are sure to be found. Be attuned to what is happening with your children in the new school. Encourage and praise them, and if academic tutoring is needed look into this immediately. Finally . . .

RELAX!

You may have thought you’d never be forgiven for moving, but kids are fairly resilient, and they may adjust even faster than you! Moving jitters may cause behavior changes which should disappear when they feel their new sense of “home”. Get professional help for them if you feel its needed, or know that they are not adjusting. You’ve (nearly) weathered your move, and while it wasn’t always easy to respond with warmth and patience while you were under stress, your best efforts are rewarded with children who are content and happy in their new home––as parents, you’ve been successful in one of your major relocation goals.

FIVE WAYS TO MAKE TRAVELING EASY
Keep Your Kids Happy On The Trip From Old Home To New

PACK SNACKS. The easier to serve, the better. Try: Juice boxes, raisins, granola bars, animal crackers, prepackaged cheese and crackers.

STOP OFTEN. Kids cooped up in a car quickly become crabby. Plan time to stretch and run every 1-2 hours.

MAP SIDETRIPS. Long trips in a car are more fun if kids can stop at a roadside attraction, lake, ocean––divert time for a side trip.

BUY GAMES. Invest in age-appropriate travel games , toys, books to ward off boredom. Surprise them with them when you leave.

TAKE TAPES. A tape player with a headset, plus new tapes, can soothe tired kids.

HELP YOUR CHILD SETTLE IN AT SCHOOL

REGISTER BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS, if possible, to be sure any curriculum problems can be ironed out. This will ensure that both academically and socially your children will get off to a good start.

FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. Communicate with the school administration as soon as possible by mail, while visiting, or call. Check for special programs, monitor your kids’ work to be sure they’re adjusting well, and are in the correct level of classes.

SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT IS AS IMPORTANT as academic adjustment, especially among preteens. Teachers may assign a buddy for new children. As a parent, you can help by finding at least one schoolmate for your child and arrange a meeting before starting school. Check your new neighborhood, church, club, or activities center.