My earliest memory is when I was three years old, hiding behind my grandfather on the driveway of our new house in Levittown, New York. (My grandparents were helping us unpack.) I was afraid to meet our neighbors. When I was 10, we moved from New York to Missouri during the school year. My biggest fear the first day in my new school? My 5th grade teacher would ask me to spell “Missouri.” (She didn’t.) I have not only moved while I was growing up, I’ve moved at least 14 times as an adult, many of those times with young children.
Many families move during the summer. The reasons why vary from in-between school years, more houses on the market, and/or good weather. Whatever the reason, moving is a big event for everyone involved. You can help children with the transition. Here are 12 suggestions. Which ones will you add to your to-do list?
· Communicate openly. Tell children where you are moving and why. Does Mommy have a new job? Is Daddy going back to school? Are you moving closer to family? Children can understand and help you celebrate these exciting reasons.
· Involve children in packing. Children can help pack toys and books. Mark boxes with their names and the contents. Reassure them you will be able to find their toys after the move because the boxes are labeled. Point to and read the labels aloud.
· Create or add to your photo album. Take photos of your house, your kids’ room, landmarks in your community such as their preschool, the park, the library. Print these out and add to an existing photo album or create a separate photo album children can keep.
· Make a memory box. Walk around the yard or neighborhood with a small box. Children can collect a leaf or other memento, stone, acorn, flower, twig. Label the box with the date and child’s name. Keep it secure with a rubber band. Bring to your new home.
· Invite friends. Host a going-away party, not only to celebrate with games, cake and/or ice cream, but to commemorate your children’s friendships with a group photo. Guests decorate a photo frame (found at a craft store). Take a group photo at the beginning of the party. Print it at home or send digitally to a 1-hour photo store and ask another adult to pick it up. Each guest will go home with a group photo and their unique frame. Be sure to give them your new address (if you know it). Writing the address on the back of the frame will make it easy to find. Another idea is to add your email address and phone number so you can keep in touch.
· Moving day. Make moving day an adventure! Kids can help you decide which snacks to bring, what clothes to wear, and what game or stuffie to bring in the car. If it’s a long ride, stop at a park or other fun destination, just like on vacation.
· A moving prayer. Thank God for the time you’ve had in your home and ask for safety, health, and blessings in your new home. Ask children if they would like to add to your prayer with something they are thankful for or something they are looking forward to. It’s always a good time to praise God!
· Eat new food. Different regions of the country boast a variety of foods. We’ve tried Sour Cream Raisin Pie in the Midwest, Cheese Grits in The South, and Lobster Rolls in the Northeast. You never know what your children might try and like!
· Take time. Once you arrive, allow time to set up beds and open at least one box from your child’s room. Give yourself grace, knowing TTTT, “These Things Take Time.” It can take several months to really feel settled after a move.
· Explore! Get to know your new community together. Where is the park, the library, the grocery store? Where are the community helpers located, the doctors, emergency workers, veterinarians? Where is their new preschool or grade school? Where will you go to worship? Start a new section in your album with photos of your new community.
· Keep the old. As the saying goes, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” Connect with old friends through videochats, emails, and phone calls. If you are close enough, plan an occasional play date. And don’t forgot good old fashioned snail mail.
· Make new friends. Give your child the opportunity to make new friends in your neighborhood, at the park, or at church. I’ve found my community and my best friends, too, through my children’s friends.
Moving is an exciting event, even with the stresses and uncertainty. My hope is that you can make it a positive one not only for your children, but for yourself.
Amy Houts is the author of 100+ books for children. She writes for both faith-based and general market publishers. Amy’s faith-based books include bath books, Noah’s Ark and The Creation (Sunbeam/Bushel & Peck Books), God’s Earth is Something to Fight For (Sunbeam/Bushel & Peck Books), and God’s Protection Covers Me (Beaming Books). Amy’s educational books include 60 retold tales for the series, Compass Children’s Classics. Her 10 nonfiction science early readers were published by Highlights. To find out more, visit her website:
https://amyhouts.com
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