Relocating for Children
Every year, one out of five American families move.
It is important to involve children in the new home
search and moving process so that they feel involved
and informed from the start. Some children and teenagers
relish the chance to make a new start in a new place,
while others have difficulty with the transition.
Preschoolers may worry about being
left behind or being separated from their parents.
If you leave town to go house hunting, bring something
unique from your new town back with you. Allow your
children to express their feelings and fears, and
give them a job to do to help with the move, like
boxing their favorite toys and decorating the boxes
with crayons and stickers.
Elementary age children are most
concerned with changes in their everyday routine.
It helps to find new places in advance for the things
they like to do (like a karate or dance studio, etc.)
and bring back brochures or pictures.
Teenagers’ greatest concern
is fitting in. They may be angry about the move and
feel that they have no control over their friendships,
school relationships and activities being disrupted.
It helps to bring back pictures of how the kids in
their new environment dress, the bikes and cars they
drive, and how the new school looks. If the children
won’t be able to see their new home before the
move, try to bring back video and pictures of it.
Once in your new neighborhood, give children a chore
to do to help with the move. Take a break with the
family as soon as possible to explore your new city.
Arrange a visit to the new school ( if possible, while
school is in session, so your child can see things
“in action”) and meet with the teacher
before the first day of class. Maybe even play in
the school playground to observe the other children.
Encourage your children to bring new friends home
or even arrange yourself to have another family or
another child at your home or do an activity together.
Let academics take a back seat for a while. Let your
children know how proud you are of them.
Children’s Books/Video about Moving/Relocation:
The League of Super Movers: My Moving Adventure
- BR Anchor Publishing. Designed for 9-12 year olds.
The activities and story line will help prepare children
in a positive and enlightening way. Critiqued by a
children’s audience in order to provide material
from their perspective.
Let’s Make a Move! - by Beverly
Roman. “Helps kids think through the preparation
for a move, the move itself and adjusting to a new
home.”
The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day
- by Stan and Jan Berenstain. The story of the Bear
family’s move to their famous tree house in
Bear Country. Would Brother Bear like it? Would he
find new friends? He wasn’t sure until he got
there.
Kidvidz, “Let’s Get a Move On!”
- Video guide to moving for kids ages 4-10. Includes
hands-on activities.
Goodbye, House: A Kid’s Guide to Moving
- by Ann Banks and Nancy Evans. A workbook for kids
ages 7-11 to keep them engaged in projects from the
moment they learn about the move to settling into
their new home.
Alexander, who’s not (Do you hear
me? I mean it!) Going to Move - by Judith
Viorst. The rest of Alexander’s family is moving
a thousand miles away, but there’s NO way Alexander
is going to leave his best friend, his favorite babysitter,
or all the places and people he’s known all
his life.
Footsteps Around the World - by
Beverly Roman. Helps teens deal with feelings, make
organizational checklists, making new friends, educational
guidelines and more. |
