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| HELPING
YOUR CHILDREN ADJUST TO THE MOVE |
Your family's move can be an exciting time for your
children and for you. It can also be a stressful
and sad time. Your child may have different feelings
about your family's move: scared about going to
a new school, excited about your new home, sad about
leaving old friends or angry with you about moving.
There are several things that you as a parent can
do to support your child through this tough time.
Below you will find a checklist provided by Jennine
L. Moritz, Ph.D. & Ann V. Deaton, Ph.D. of Coping
Kids, to remind you of some of the important things
to do before and after a move (and tips on what
to do to help your child cope with this life event).
Remember, if you are going to be available to help
your child, it is also important to support yourself
during this move.
Before
Your Move:
- Get
information about the new place. Gather information
from the local Chamber of Commerce, Welcome
Wagon and Board of Realtors.
- Tell
older, school-age children about the move several
months in advance, if possible.
- Share
information about your new home, town and state
with your child. Give him/her brochures and
postcards. create a fun project that offers
information about the new place (e.g., make
a map or draw pictures of the new house).
- When
possible, take your child to see his/her new
town, house and neighborhood.
- Visit
your child's future school. Schedule time to
meet the principal and some of the teachers
and future classmates ahead of time.
- Plan
a goodbye/moving party for your child. Involve
her in the planning. Help her get addresses
and phone numbers of friends and family they
will be leaving.
- Request
that your child's school records be sent to
his/her new school. Obtain medical and dental
records for you and your children.
- Pack
some of your child's essentials for the trip:
toiletry items, snacks, games, pillows and special
comfort items.
After
Your Move:
- Help
your child decorate his/her room making it a
special place in your new home.
- Make
some exploratory trips into the community with
your child such as visiting neighborhood parks,
nearby restaurants or a skating rink.
- Take
your child to enroll in his/her new school and
meet teachers and classmates.
- Discuss
extracurricular options with your child and
sign up for some activities such as piano lessons,
gymnastics, Girl/Boy Scouts, sports, clubs at
schools, library programs.
- Encourage
your child to call or write friends and family
to let them know about the new place.
- Listen
to your child's feelings (sad, scared, excited)
about the move and offer extra support.
- Help
your child take pictures of your new home to
send to friends and relatives.
- Get
to know some of the other parents and find out
about their activities and their children's
interests.
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