Make Moving Day Fun For Your Kids!

Let children decorate their new room

If you make this promise - stick by it - within reason, of course.) Choose a special day when you and each of your children can shop for new comforters, wall paper, paint, window treatments, etc. Be reasonable and allow your child to be creative. (If you are bossy - this will not work!)

Housewarming party for your child's friends

This will help your child to see that they will not lose their friends and could make the transition easier. Make the housewarming party fun and age-appropriate. Older children may enjoy a sleepover.

Help your kids create a phone/address/e-mail book

Again, this will help them to see that they can still keep in touch with their friends. And, with the Internet keeping in touch has become so easy. Especially at first, do not be too restrictive with the time spent on the telephone (particularly if your child has had a hard time adjusting). If your child is old enough, use calling cards which will teach them the value of money and time.

Don't exclude your child from helping with the move

The stress moving creates in many people causes us to want the children to be out of the way when we are packing. Don't do it! Let your child get a sense of closure (just like you are experiencing). Let your child pack his/her room (with your supervision, of course). Assign them age-appropriate tasks.

After the move