MOVING WITH KIDS

Highlights:

End Well: Treat endings as importantly as beginnings.
Stay Close: In a time of insecurity the family is the best source of security.
Keep the Kids Involved: Let them have a role to play and real choices to make.
Be a Model: You can teach your kids how to handle change in healthy ways.
Have Fun: A good plan is the best ingredient.


How to Make it Easier For Them

Moving can be as challenging as it is exciting. Sometimes more so. Moving is as hard for kids as it is for adults. They, too, are leaving behind familiar places and important friends. They, too, are starting over: seeking new friends and adjusting to a new home, neighborhood, and school. But because they're still learning how to socialize and how to effectively get their needs met, children need caring adults to listen and help them adjust to their new home, now more than ever.

If you're a parent contemplating a move, this article's for you. By considering a move in three stages - before, during, and after - and thinking about your children's needs during each stage, you can make a big difference in how your kids feel about the move and how they adjust afterwards.