Moving is a notoriously stressful experience. When you add moving with children to the mix, it can seem like an impossible endeavor. The truth is, however, that moving with children can be a positive experience for everyone if you take certain steps to help your child prepare, transition, and adapt to their new home, town, and school. 

Prepare  

Understanding how your child feels in the beginning stages of the move is a good place to start. It is perfectly normal to be scared or nervous to start over in a new place. It is also perfectly fine to be excited or to have mixed feelings. Regardless of how they may be feeling, it is important to remain open to any questions or concerns they may have. Help them understand why you are moving and assure them that their feelings are acknowledged and valid. 

Transition 

If your child is expressing apprehension about the transition, there are steps you can take to alleviate their worries. 

Let them feel involved in the process. 

Part of the apprehension may stem from your child feeling as if they don’t have any sense of control. They may feel as if decisions have been made for them without their having any say. Find areas where your child can take part in the process. This could be letting them choose which room they’d like in the new home, allowing them to oversee the interior design of their new room or taking them to buy new items to furnish their room. The decisions you allow your child to make need not be substantial, but allowing them to have control over smaller decisions can really help them to feel included in the process, and to feel a sense of autonomy.  

Have a routine. 

Creating a routine for your children is a great way to get back to those oh-so-wonderful feelings of familiarity, especially if they will be starting at a new school. Help them to establish a regular bedtime routine and try to have meals at similar times during the day. It is also a good idea to get their new room set up and decorated as soon as possible so they can have a sacred space to decompress. Taking these small steps in the beginning will help everyone, not just your child, to return to normalcy so that you can continue to tailor your routine and figure out what works best for you and your child. 

Adapt 

Once you are in your new home and are relatively settled, now comes the time to get situated in your new town or city. There is much to look forward to—the new restaurants, parks, activities, social events, and friends. But there are also aspects that may evoke feelings of anxiety for your child. For most, the anxiety centers on school. For many children, the idea of having to leave their friends and going through the process of making new ones can be upsetting. Depending on the age of your child, additional uncertainties and concerns can weigh in as socializing feels more overwhelming and daunting to older children. Encouraging your child to get involved in different clubs, sports, or other activities is a great way to ease into the new social scene and help them to feel more confident. You might also encourage your child to keep in touch with friends from their past school or town. The key is helping them to find healthy social outlets where they can meet new people and foster relationships while maintaining existing friendships.