Tips for Moving Kids
The biggest thing to remember when moving with children is that they are moving too, possibly from the only home they have known, and certainly away from their friends and familiar surroundings. Take the time to talk to your kids about the move, why it is happening, and try to get them involved. Take them on the house hunting trip (if possible) and let them pick their room in the new house, and decide how they want it decorated. If you can’t take the kids with you, take lots of photos of the new house, neighbourhood and school, if possible. Also, see if there are any people in the neighbourhood with children the same age as yours, and see if you can arrange for them to connect before the move, that way they may feel like they already have a friend in their new town.
If your child is expressing sadness or fear about leaving friends and/or other family members (aunts, uncles, grandparents) behind, talk to them about it, and try to alleviate their fears. Get them involved in preparing for the move. One way is to get them to help out with tasks, such as putting together a moving kit full of things that they may need on the trip, or want to have close at hand.
No matter how well prepared you are for the move, it could be a challenge for your child. Be aware of changes in behaviour, such as changes in appetite, level of participation, school performance, cooperation, sleep disturbances or other dramatic changes in behaviour. It could be a sign of depression.
If your child shows signs of depression for an extended period of time, it may be advisable to talk with a doctor, or other medical professional who can help.
To make the move easier on children, parents may take these steps:
1) Explain clearly to the children why the move is necessary.
2) Familiarize the children as much as possible with the new area with maps, photographs or the daily newspaper.
3) Describe advantages of the new location that the child might appreciate such as a lake, mountain or an amusement park.
4) After the move, get involved with the children in activities where they can meet other youth
If a son or daughter is a senior in high school, consider the possibility of letting him or her stay with trusted family friends until the school year is over.
Sticking to familiar routines may help your child adapt to their new surroundings, as well. Keep thinkgs consistent, and don’t forego discipline if it is required.
Safety Tips for Youth
1) Whenever you travel into any new area, know your complete name and both your parent’s full names as well. When exploring the city, it is always important to stay very close to your parents and family, especially in crowded areas.
2) Keeping a list of phone numbers is very important, especially if you should ever get lost or separated from your family. Write down family names, telephone numbers and addresses as well as the new office telephone numbers for your parents.
3) Know your new school bus number and the exact location of the bus stop. It is a very good idea to do several practice runs from your new home to your bus stop and back before the first day of school. This way you’ll remember your new route. (from www.relocatecanada.com)
Travel Games for Kids
Traveling with children can add stress to an already stressful time. Children can be easily bored on a trip, and it can be helpful to have a few tricks up your sleeve.
For infants, small toys or noisemakers can keep them occupied for a while, as can music makers, blocks, pop-up yoyd, snf vhilftrn’d mudiv.
Toddlers love blowing bubbles, small books, toys, wind-up toys, DVDs (if you can borrow a DVD player or laptop computer, they can watch movies on the way to your destination).
If you have a pre-school child, they can be a little more active, and would enjoy crafts, etch-a-sketch, books, tapes or CDs, magnetic letters, and puppets.
Older children would enjoy temporary tattoos, felt boards, silly putty, an mp3 player so they can listen to their own music, a hand-held video game or toy cars, Lego, card games, travel games and small puzzles.
There are games the entire family can enjoy as well. A story circle is fun – one person starts, and each takes a turn adding a sentence. You can pick a theme, or just be silly.
You can play the Sound Game – look out the window of the car, (or use a picture book on an airplane). Have your child name items he/she sees, and then figure out what sound it makes.
The Alliteration Game – can be funny. Find alliteration words for their name, or a friend’s name. Make them as funny as possible. Or use names of animals. For example, “loud little Louie” or “silly Sammy Snodgrass” or “leaping Larry lizard.” When your child gets the hang of it, they will take off on their own.
Straight Face – This one can be very funny. One child is “it” and the others pick a phrase for him/her. Try “the cat’s tail.” The others ask him/her questions, and he/she must answer with “the cat’s tail.” Other children ask him/her questions.
Some ideas:
What do you brush your teeth with?
What is your favorite breakfast food?
What would you write with?
What do you comb your hair with?
License Plate Bingo – is a classic- try to find as many different license plates as you can.
Try the Alphabet Game – pick something (license plate numbers, town names, road signs etc) then you have to find something starts with each letter of the alphabet in order. For example, Apple Tree would have an A in it, the next thing you have to find would have the letter B in it.
Survival Boxes
When moving, each person in the family should have a survival box or bag, filled with important or meaningful things. Each box is different, depending on the family member.
Small children may want to have toys or games, small snacks and drink boxes included in their box.
Older children may want electronic devices, books, photos of friends and an address book with their friends addresses and phone numbers in it.
Adults may want to include books, important documents, and medications for them and the children.
You should also put together a box of things needed immediately at the new location, such as a telephone, radio and/or clock, cleaning supplies, pens and paper, a phone book from the new location, a list of phone numbers for friends and family, and possibly a small television to keep the children occupied while you prepare the house.
If you are traveling with pets, you may need a box for them, as well, with food, treats, dishes and any medications they require.
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