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Telling Pre-teeens and
Teens About a Move
Children have different
concerns about moving at different ages. For preschoolers and young
school-age children, family is the center of their lives. They'll be
curious about moving, and they may have concerns such as being left
behind and getting lost. It's important that parents pay attention to
those concerns and not treat them as trivial. |
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MOVING ADVICE : Telling
Pre-Teens and teens
- Explain why you are moving
- Show maps and pictures of the new place.
- Describe good things in store for them.
- Assure them of things that will stay same.
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1. Explain
where you are moving and why.
"Mommy got a promotion
at work and we're moving to where her new office will be." "Since
Grandpa got sick, Grandma needs our help. We're moving to be closer to
them." "We need a bigger house and we've found a place that has what we
need." |
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2. Highlight benefits of the move that your kids can understand.
Explaining that you're
moving to another town because the schools are better, for example,
isn't likely to have much meaning to younger children. But pointing out
that the new schools will have more activities, such as more sports
programs if your child likes sports or a band if your child plays an
instrument (or wants to), are reasons your kids can cheer. |
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3. Use maps
and pictures to make the move more concrete.
If your children can
understand maps, have one that shows your new community. Together,
locate where you will be living and places of interest around it. If you
are moving far, have a map that shows where you are now and where you're
going. Help them trace the distance and even plot out a route you might
take from here to there. If possible, have photographs of the community
and your new home. |
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4. Reassure them
that their life won't change dramatically.
Point out the things
that you know will be basically the same in their new home and
community, such as having a backyard to play in and going to preschool.
Explain that pets and favorite belongings will go with them. If there
are lessons or other activities your children enjoy now, assure them
that you'll find new instructors or programs for them. |
