Moving with Children

Moving can be difficult for young children. Their friends and familiar surroundings will soon be changing. You can make the move as easy as possible by just doing a few things. Here are some suggestions:

• Help your child make a map of the new neighborhood with locations of the school, playground, etc. so that they can feel more confident about their surroundings.

• Check into “kids only” activities through the local museum, zoo, library school or recreation center.

• Learn about unique cultural aspects of your new community and set specific goals for exploring different places.

• If you are moving out of town, make sure your children know they can still keep in touch with their friends via email. Have a going away party and have the children make a craft that includes your new address, phone number and email address – as a keepsake!

• Let your children sort and pack their belongings. Depending on their age, they may want to have a “yard sale” of the things they are not taking. The money can be used to buy something for their new room.

• After the move, plan special activities that celebrate your new home and neighborhood. Ask your realtor to send out a card announcing your arrival. Contact the homeowners association to see if they have a newsletter that includes new residents. Include the children's names and ages.

• Encourage your children to write letters to their old friends, but at the same time encourage them to invite new friends over.

• Make sure you investigate local groups, such as churches, scouts, sports or social, ethnic and cultural organizations so that your children have an opportunity to participate in smaller groups.

• Enroll your children in the same sports, clubs, and activities that they were involved in before the move.

• Take a walk around the neighborhood with your children on a regular basis and introduce yourself – you’ll also find out where the other children their age live!

• Most importantly, remember this is all new for your children. You may be preoccupied with starting a new job, developing your own network of professional and personal contacts, etc. Make sure you encourage your children to talk about their feelings about the new house, new friends they have met, etc. and keep the lines of communication open.

Jennifer Waszazak

REALTOR® , Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc.

1061 Lake Murray Blvd
Irmo, SC 29063
Office (803) 781-0088
Cell     (803) 553-2424
Fax     (803) 732-4517