| By :
Stephen Daniels
Spending time with your children before a major life change is crucial. By its nature, moving is a stressful time for a family and because small children quickly sense the stress levels of their parents, especially if it is running high, it is important to alleviate stress as much as possible. If parents can remain calm, their children will also be calm. Before the move, it is important for the parents to explain what will be happening and to assure their children that things are going to be up in the air for a while, but they'll settle down soon. Children should also be assured that many things like family togetherness and special activities will continue as before, and to help them better understand the process of moving, it might be good to read them a children's book like "The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day." As soon as possible, take the children to see their new home and, after a couple of visits, let them choose their bedroom and talk about how they can set it up. If re-painting is an option, give them several paint colors to choose from and let them select their favorite. They might also want to embellish their room with posters, a new name banner or special decorations. It would also be a good idea to spend time taking the small children for walks through their new neighborhood, helping them get to know their new neighbors and the children who live there. It might even be possible, perhaps with the help of other parents, to plan a block party so that the children can get to know each other. As the big moving day approaches, keep the small children involved and occupied as much as possible, inviting them to help in appropriate ways, like organizing their things or packing their stuffed animals and toys. Parents might also pack a kid's suitcase and let each child pick out a favorite set of clothes to wear and a special toy to take with them for the day they move into their new home. Also, as the children are going through all their belongings, decide what to do with outgrown toys and clothes, perhaps giving them away to friends or donating them to groups working with needy families. It's also important for parents to keep their children informed as the move progresses. For example, children should know that a moving company will send a big truck one day to take their furniture out of the house and move it to their new one, and that maybe they can help prepare small things like pillows to be taken to the truck. To help relieve stress and make the children feel more comfortable after the actual move, let them open and unpack the special boxes that are marked "Open Me First," and then the boxes labeled for the children's room. Finally, moving can be traumatic for children, so it's important to support them emotionally as they say goodbye to friends and familiar places.
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