Preparing for a long-distance move can be an overwhelming experience.
There are, of course, ways you can make it easier, such as choosing the right long-distance moving company.
However, moving far away when you have children can be uniquely challenging.
Any long trip with small children is often a struggle.
When that trip involves moving them far from a home they may have spent years in, the difficulties are even greater.
That doesn’t mean preparing kids for a long-distance move necessarily needs to be as painful as you expect.
If you’re planning on moving to a new state or even country, preparing your kids for the move will be much easier if you keep these tips in mind.
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Consider their ages
The specific way in which you decide to tell your kids you’re moving far away may depend on their ages to some extent.
For example, if your children are toddlers or preschoolers, they might not entirely understand the concept of moving.
Help the kids by using toys to tell a story about the move.
Teenagers may understand what moving involves, but could still be resistant to the idea if they don’t want to leave their current friends.
When addressing the topic with older kids, you can focus more on the practical reasons for the move.
This might not completely change their attitudes, but it can indicate to your kids that you respect them enough to be honest and transparent about why you’re moving away.
Be honest
This is critical.
Regardless of how young or old your children may be, you need to be entirely honest with them when not only breaking the news about your plans to move, but answering any questions they might have.
This is very important with young children. An answer that’s anything less than completely truthful might result in them misunderstanding the situation.
Choose books, shows, and movies that depict moving as a positive experience
Research confirms that kids are twice as likely to eat nutritious foods when they’ve recently watched cooking TV shows featuring such foods.
The content that children consume has a proven impact on their perspectives and mindsets.
Consider this when deciding which shows, movies, and books your kids are being exposed to in the months leading up to a move.
Depending on your kids’ ages, you may be able to exercise some control over the shows and movies they watch and the books they read.
Some shows and books depict moving as a scary experience that removes a child from a comfortable home and inserts them in a new environment where they may be bullied, friendless, or worse.
Others depict moving as an exciting adventure.
You know which stories you want your kids to be consuming as you prep for a big move.
Get them involved
Research has also shown that kids will be more inclined to eat healthful foods if they’re involved in meal prep.
This also has implications for the way a child may feel about moving.
There are many reasons some children get upset when learning they’ll be moving far away.
One is the simple fact that someone with power over them has made a major life decision that they didn’t have any say in.
No, you can’t let your kids decide whether you move at all, but you can allow them to make certain decisions throughout the process of getting ready to move.
Research indicates that may help them get used to the idea.
Just be aware that a child won’t change their mind about moving after one conversation.
Preparing them may be an ongoing process.
However, these 4 Ways to Prepare Kids for a Long-Distance Move can make the process easier for everyone involved.
If you liked this article read more here; Minimalist Unpacking, Tips for Keeping Your Sanity During an Overseas Move, The Ultimate Moving Checklist for Families and 6 Signs You need a Bigger Family Home.
