There are all kinds of reasons why a family might have to uproot and relocate to a new area. In many instances it has to do with job opportunities, but it could also be due to an elderly relative that needs care, a foreclosure or job loss that prompts adults to return to an area where they have a support network of extended family, or even the desire to move from an urban area to a rural one that is safer or more suitable for raising kids. But whatever the reason for making a big move, it’s not likely to make the transition any easier for parents or kids who have formed an attachment to the area they are leaving and the friends they have made there. So when relocation becomes a necessity, how can you make the move easier on your family and help them to adjust to the change? Here are a few tips that will have everyone feeling better about this difficult situation.
The best thing you can do to reduce stress all around is prepare as much as possible. In some cases a move will be unexpected and occur quickly, but hopefully you will have plenty of time to pack up your possessions, say your goodbyes, and explain to your kids what is coming and why. Young children may not understand all the uproar, but they will almost certainly pick up on the high stress level of the adults in their lives. So the preparations you make could help everyone to stay calm. But older kids are bound to have a tougher time since they are aware of what is happening. They will be leaving their friends, their home, and the familiarity of their lives behind. And this can induce some serious anxiety since kids are most comfortable with routine and stability.
However, you can make the situation a bit more tenable in a number of ways. First, you can sit down as a family and discuss the specifics of the move, including your reasons for leaving, and answer any questions the kids might have. Give them a forum to discuss their worries and fears without recrimination so they can get it all out. Then take the opportunity to reassure them that they can not only keep in contact with their old friends, but that they are sure to make all kinds of new friends when you settle in at your new location. Be sure to tell them about their new living spaces (the bedrooms they can decorate) and the many fun attractions and activities particular to the region you’re moving to. And consider using visual aids like community websites so that your kids have some concrete images to apply to their new home city.
You’ll have a lot to deal with when you relocate, from posting and selling your current home via Zillow, Trulia, or Tanglewood real estate (or a private realtor), to packing up and transporting your house and family, to making arrangement for a comfortable and safe living situation at your destination. But it’s important to take the time to ensure that your family is on board with the move, or that they at least understand why it’s necessary. This will help everyone to adjust to a major life change and make the best of the situation.
This is a guest post written specifically for this site. Opinions expressed are of the author.
