The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has noted that the citizens younger than 40 years old are incredibly mobile, with many changing their addresses every five years. So, our homes now may not be our forever homes.
If you’re a parent and are sure of this fact, you know how overwhelming moving can be. Finding the perfect house and land in Donnybrook or other locations is stressful enough as it is. This is quickly followed by a whirlwind of preparations, beginning with the home purchase. With the subsequent planning and packing, it may feel that there’s no room for breaks.
Still, amidst the flurries, try to keep in mind that your young ones may not be as thrilled with the concept of the move. It may be especially true if the new destination is quite far away from your soon-to-be old home.
Here are a few ways to help your kids cope with the move.
Sit Them Down
Similar to any other situation, the best way to help your children cope with the change is by talking to them about it. This should have been done the moment you have decided to change your address. If you haven’t, it’s not too late to include them in the discussion.
Explain the reason behind the move. If possible, show them how much better the new house and neighborhood are compared to the one you currently have. For specifics, introduce them to their future room and bring up the many ways they can customize it. Should they have any questions, answer them as truthfully and clearly as possible.
This may be more difficult, especially with younger kids, but by now, you’re equipped with patience that lasts a lifetime.
In a similar vein, let them say their piece as well. Allow them to get upset, perhaps scream or cry it out a little. While it isn’t conducive to the move, it allows the kids to express their emotions about the circumstances instead of bottling it up and fostering resentment.
Lead by Example
Children and teens tend to mimic the adults around them, even more so if they are in tune with not only their emotions but other people’s as well. If you’re having difficulty with the move yourself, perhaps dealing with some lingering melancholy, focus more on the greener side of things.
This is conducive to the coping process of the entire family, particularly any individual who’s sensitive to emotions. By showing them that things are fine (or will be fine), they’ll have some peace of mind leading up to the day of the move.
Allow Kids to Join the Action
Change can be overwhelming and difficult to grasp, more so for children. Aside from keeping positive about the situation, you can also help them cope by letting them pick up some tasks concerning the move.
Being included gives children and teens some semblance of control in a moment of their lives where they may feel helpless. Moreover, including them in tasks, like item packing, furniture shopping, or home designing, is a step towards getting them to see the new home in a positive light.
Provide Breathing Space
You’ve sat them down, given them the opportunity to help out. Now, it’s time to remember that it’s never easy to move on from one’s home. It’s good to check on your kids occasionally, but give them some berth, too, especially the ones that are in their preteens and teenage years.
This will result in less friction, which is a great bonus since fewer arguments. Throughout all of this, your kids can focus more on how they feel and what they would want to do moving forward.
