Telling your child that you’re moving can be difficult, especially if there are a lot of emotional ties to your home, or if it coincides with a change of school too. Children often feel like they have no say in the moving decision, it is important to empower them and make it known that their feelings are important, by involving them in as many of the decisions as you can.

 

 

Write a list.

Consult your child one some of the things that they hope their new house has, such as a bigger back yard, or a bedroom of their own. This will help you gain an idea of what everyone in the family wants in a new home, but also help you to set realistic expectations for your child. If you can compromise on some aspect of your new home, for example, a location close to a local park or their favorite ice cream store, your child is likely to feel much more excited about the move.

 

 

Tour Together.

Viewing homes together is the perfect way to bond with your child during the house-hunting process. You can start from the comfort of your own home, by looking at homes together online and making a point to bookmark ones that your child likes. Be sure to listen to your child’s opinions and never dismiss them outright — find ways to discuss the pros and cons of homes so that they understand your reasoning.

 

 

Let them design their bedrooms.

Make sure that your child has a big hand in designing their new room, by helping them to pick out paint colors and decor items. If they’re young, ask them to think of a theme for their new space, and go shopping together to find pieces.

 

You could also turn their bedroom into an art project by asking them to draw pictures and design their ideal room. This will get them excited about the change and help make the transition.

 

 

Throw a goodbye party.

Often when you move home, your child is also moving school and leaving friends behind that they’ve known for many years. This can be the hardest part for most children, and can sometimes cause resentment if they don’t feel like getting closure on the situation. By throwing a going away party, your children will get the chance to celebrate all of the fun times together with their friends. This can help to bring closure to their friendships, and also prepare them to move on to their new home.

 

 

Promise to Visit

If it’s feasible, and your new home is in the traveling distance to your old neighborhood, let your child know that they can go back and visit their friends at some point. You could also make a point of taking them to their favorite restaurant in the area, or favorite park if they get homesick.

 

Although moving home can be difficult for children, you can make it a little easier for them by ensuring that their feelings are heard and that they are part of the decision-making process.