The Know Insider Weblog » Be Mindful of Your Kids when Moving to a New Neighborhood

March 23, 2009

Be Mindful of Your Kids when Moving to a New Neighborhood

Picking out moving companies can be trying enough, moving with a family might be even more difficult. There are a lot of changes occurring for you and your family. That’s why it is important to spend some time assisting your youngsters manage the changes occurring around them. The advice set forth below will help make your move go more easily.

When to Move School Age Children

If your kids are school age, you may be tempted to plan your move to occur during the school holidays. Actually, this can make things harder for your youngsters. School is most probably the first place your kids can be assured of making friends. Thus, moving during school vacations positions your child in strange and new surroundings at a time when their prospects of making friends are lower.

When school restarts, your kid may feel even more left out. As the first day back to school is filled with the excitement and hustle and bustle that comes about after a vacation, your kid may feel like an outsider.
When you schedule your move during the class year, it allows your children to go from one social scene to another.
The teacher and the other kids will be happier to show your kid some extra attention when they are the only new student.

Settling In

Realize that there may be a grieving period for children after a big move; it may last a few weeks, maybe even a few months. Here are a few painless things you can do to make moving more simplified for your youngsters.

Investigate and explore your new city together. Look for new and unusual things.
Go to your kid’s new school with them in advance and walk around the new school together to facilitate them to find their bearings.
Come with your children on their path to school until they are comfortable traveling alone.
Seek out after-school activities where your kids can make new friends with similar interests.
Do not forget to remind them to keep in touch with old friends.

Keeping an Eye Out for Early Warning Signs

A major change is certainly very challenging for a youngster. Even the most well adjusted kid can have difficulty contending with moving.

Be watchful, it is important to appreciate early warning signals that your child may need extra help coping with his or her new environs.

Here are some signals to watch out for