Moving to a new, bigger city is a huge adjustment, not just for parents, but for children as well. Just imagine what your life will look like when it gets hit by the move itself, new job, new home, new school, and all the new things that come with changing your address. It will be stressful and tiring. However, you, as a parent, must do everything in your power to help your kids and ease this process of relocation as much as you can. No, this is not going to be easy, but it is far from impossible. That is why we are here too. We will share with you some tips and tricks on helping kids adjust after moving to a big city. So, if this is something that may interest you, keep on reading.
Have a Family Meeting
Family meetings are a must when it comes to relocation and looking for a new family home. They will help you organize everything and make sure everybody is on the same page. However, family meetings are also good for having the 'Relocation Talk'. This is when you talk with your family about the move itself and all those feelings concerning it. Do not expect that your children will be excited and happy all the time because of this change. Prepare for the worst. Prepare for crying, for stress, and for anger. Try to be empathic! Help your kids mourn their old life. Spare a moment each day (after moving) to talk with your kids about their concerns and feelings. Give them advice and try to talk about all the great things they will experience in this new, bigger city. That will definitely give them something to look forward to.
Prepare Projects for Your Kids
Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, you need to keep them occupied during the process of relocation. The best way to do that is by giving them projects that will keep them busy. By doing this, they will take their minds off this move and everything and everybody they are have left behind. Thus, after your Heart Moving movers have unloaded the moving truck and you’ve brought everything inside, start with the projects. For example, you can allow your kids to unpack their own boxes and bags - that way, they will feel involved and important. Or, you can allow them to pick their new room or let them decorate it as they want. Try to do anything that will keep them busy and happy.
Find a New School Together
When moving with your family, keep in mind that changing school mid-year is not easy! Thus, if there is a chance that you can postpone this move for the end of the school year - do it. However, if this is not possible for some reason, you have to be prepared to act quickly. This means that you must 'speed up' the process of relocation so that your kids would not miss out a lot. However, while trying to relocate quickly, do not forget about your kids and their feelings. They will be vulnerable, especially now when they are leaving their school, friends, and everything they are familiar with. Help your child adjust after moving to a bigger city and new school by, for example, finding that new school unitedly. You can do the online research beforehand or visit the schools your child likes and talk to the principal and all the professors together. Make sure you have found a school that suits your child's needs the most as well!
Stick to Schedule
As a parent, you are probably familiar with the fact that almost all children thrive on routine and familiarity. When you change these two, chaos is bound to happen. So, after moving to a bigger city, or anywhere for that matter, try to stick to your child's schedule as much as you can. Of course, that is not going to be easy as a lot of things will change with this move, but do your best. Try to keep things the same until they get slowly accustomed to their new life. For example, you can try to have all the important meals at the same time as before. Or, if you had a 'before bed' routine like reading a book together or watching TV, keep doing that as well. If you had a weekend routine where you, for example, did crafts and DIY, do not stop now! Try to maintain the same schedule as before and your kids will adjust to their new, bigger city a lot quicker.
Get to Know Your New City
Last but certainly not the least thing you can do to help your kids adjust after moving to a bigger city is to hit the streets and actually get to know the city you have moved to. That way, you will show your children their new home and explain to them that there is nothing to be afraid of. You can start by exploring your neighborhood first. Check out all the local parks, hang-outs, supermarkets, coffee shops, etc. Make an effort to meet your neighbors as well (preferably those with children). Organize play dates, get-togethers, and so on. If you have not found your children's new school yet, you can start visiting all the local ones. Check out the parks nearby, prepare some food, something easy and simple, and organize a picnic. Spend your free time doing the things your kids like in this new, bigger city. Do anything that will bring smiles to their faces.