People move for various reasons: work, retirement, marriage, change of scenery, etc. According to Steinway Moving & Storage, Americans move an average of 11.7 times in their lifetime. You can ask anyone, and they will likely tell you that moving is one of the hardest things to do. Not only is it stressful for adults, but it can take a toll on children as well. As a parent, it’s up to you to make sure they get the support they need during this big change.
As one of the most proficient multi-language private schools, the International School of Arizona knows what big changes can do to childrens’ stress. You must help them during this big transition and let them know how they’re feeling and what you’re doing is perfectly normal. Read our blog post below and learn 5 ways you can support your child while moving.
Discuss the Move With Your Child
One of the most important ways you can help your child accept that they’re moving to a new home is to talk about it. You should give them as much information about the move as soon as possible, answering questions completely and truthfully while being receptive to positive and negative reactions. Even if the move brings an improvement to family life, change is scary for young children. Support them by helping them understand the full scope of the move.
Include Them in Moving Decisions
Another trick you can do to alleviate the stress of moving is to involve them in making decisions about the move. While they can’t help with every decision, there are some they can help with. Examples include:
- Which of their belongings should be taken or given away
- How they’d like to arrange their rooms
- What color they’d like their room to be
- If you move into a bigger home, which room they would like
However, Fox Business details, “while it’s important to consider the kids in major purchases or life changes, experts advise parents to draw a line in how much clout their opinions carry. After all, kids are exactly that: kids. And, their motivations to live in a particular town or home will be a lot different than what parents should be considering.”
Make Moving Fun
According to Moving Company Reviews, whether your child feels negative or positive about a move will depend heavily on your attitude about the move. This is because parents’ feelings can influence the way they feel. So, by making the move a more positive experience your child will feel more comfortable and positive about the transition. To make it more of a positive experience, you may consider these points:
- Keep them busy by asking them for help
- Invite their friends for a farewell party so everyone can say goodbye
- Give them free rein on what music to play while packing
- Moving far away? Find exciting places to stop along the way
Help Them Adjust After the Move
Not only is the transition hard, but the period following the move can be just as stressful. One way to make sure they’re not overwhelmed is by helping them maintain their normal schedule as close to the one they’re used to as possible. This means bedtimes, mealtimes, and study times do not change.
As a parent, your role is vital in helping your child navigate life in a new setting. This may involve you taking them to school and speaking with their teachers. Additionally, you may find yourself helping them in other areas of their lives, like encouraging them to make friends by going to the park or other public spaces.
At ISA, we help children during the school year adjust to their new environment. Our multicultural faculty and staff work closely with children and parents in identifying and managing their feelings during this transition. Our goal is to ensure each student feels safe, nurtured, and happy.
Moving is Hard, but Learning a Second Language Doesn’t Have to Be
At the International School of Arizona, we welcome families from all over the world and look out for their best interests. We work closely with each student to ensure they’re on the right track to speaking French and Spanish fluently while helping them transition into their new environments. Contact us today to learn more about our international school.
