When a family has to move, it can evoke an emotional response in even the youngest family member. While adults are working out the details of packing, moving furniture, and setting up a new household, younger family members can feel a tremendous emotional loss. Not only because they will lose their friends, but also because they will lose the sense of history created by their old home, as well as the familiar comfort of it.
Hobbies and other activities can help children acclimate and make friends in a new place.
Shared stress
Also, moving can be a stressful experience for adults, and children are skillful at picking up on their parent’s emotions. The children will then experience similar stress in addition to having to vie with the moving activities for the parents’ attention. Also, stressed parents in the throes of a busy move tend to be very short-tempered with children. For these reasons, many experts suggest that children should spend a few days with a friend or family member.
Options
People of all ages will feel much happier and in control if they have options. Younger people will be more comfortable if they are offered options during the move. Being able to pick their own room, how the furniture will be arranged or even the color of the decor will make a move more palatable.
Opportunities to make new friends
Even when the child is attending their new school, it may be difficult for them to establish a rapport with other children in the academic setting. At the same time, those who had trouble socially or academically in their old school can benefit enormously from the ‘clean slate’ a move can provide. It’s easier if they can figure out what they were doing wrong and change it.
Sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities will create an opportunity for them to meet other children who share their interests. These activities will also give them something to look forward to and offer them opportunities they may not have had previously and may help them settle into the new community in a way that school cannot.
Keeping old friends
If at all possible, allow your child to Skype with their friends and family members from the old neighborhood. This can help them to adjust to the idea that people can stay in our lives regardless of the distance. It will provide them with stability which can help them settle into their new environment.
A-Aardvark Movers Inc., a Phoenix Arizona moving company, has the most experienced movers for all your residential, office or apartment relocation needs, serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Cave Creek, Carefree, Surprise, Sun City, Paradise Valley, Apache Junction, Maricopa County and all of Arizona. 602-716-5555.
