Moving during the school year may be a challenge for your kids, but with only a few months of summer vacation, it can be unavoidable. You can expect to experience some angst from your kids when you break the news about moving, so the best way to help your kids during this tough transition is by making it easier for them any way you can.
Here are 7 moving tips to make the transition easier on your family:
Keep your kids in the loop when it comes to the move. Waiting until the last minute to tell your kids that they need to start packing up all of their personal belongings will make it tougher on them. As painful as the conversation might be, keeping them in the dark will only cause confusion and anger. If your children are having a hard time adjusting to the idea of a new home and new school, reinforce his or her confidence by reminding him of time when he faced a new challenge and succeeded.
Look for an apartment complex that offers family-friendly amenities like a playground or a community pool. These amenities attract families with kids, so you will boost the chances that your child will be able to make some new friends close to home. It can also give your kids something to look forward to.
Find out how your child will be getting to and from school before you make the move. This will give you the opportunity to map out the route. If you are driving her to school each day, take a test run on your first day in your new town. If your child is going to be taking the bus, ask the school about the schedule to be sure she is in the right place at the right time to avoid embarrassment.
Jump into a routine as soon as the move is complete. Children crave a routine and thrive when they know what to expect. Setting a routine also provides you with the benefit of knowing where you need to be each day. Routines just make the transition easier for everyone in the household.
Look at the extracurricular activities that your child’s new school offers. If you give your kids the opportunity to pick something out before the move, they will have something to look forward to in order to relieve some of the anxiety of the move. You could even reach out to coaches or activity leaders beforehand to ensure that these staff members are prepared to help make your child feel at ease.
Find out if your child’s new school allows for a mid-year orientation or tour before your child starts attending. This is more reasonable if you are moving within driving distance of your current home. If you are moving farther away, consider asking the new school if they have any online resources for new students. This will give your child a chance to check everything out and explore the layout of the school.
Encourage your child to bridge to her new school by keeping ties with old friends while making new ones. Much of the anxiety of starting at a new school in the middle of the year has to do with social connections. Keeping in touch with old friends provides comfort and may give your child the confidence that she needs to be social in her new school.
Be prepared for repercussions. The transition will take time, and you may be dealing with a terror until the adjustment is complete. Keep in mind that your attitude can help shape your child’s, so remember to stay positive and excited about your new adventure.
Do you have any moving tips for a move during the school year? Share your secrets in the comments or tweet to us @aptguide.