Impact of A Move On The Family Unit

Whether the move is within the area, to a different city, to a different country where the same language is used or to a foreign country where communication requires learning a new language, the impact of a move is tremendous.

In fact, moving has been ranked by healthcare professionals as being almost as stress-provoking as a divorce or loss of a family member.

This is particularly true if moving involves leaving family members, loved ones, and pets behind. From a child's perspective, those factors, coupled with the interruption of school work to be resumed in a new location (surrounded by strangers), can feel totally overwhelming. This is why parents play such a key role in the transition.

How Parents Can Help Kids With The Adjustments

Whether or not it is spelled out for them, children who move are being asked (or told!) to leave their house, familiar bedroom, school, friends, neighborhood, and favorite haunts, and are expected to head out into what they perceive as the big unknown.

It is inconceivable to expect them to be happy and cooperative unless parents find ways to convey their own positive feelings regarding the move and lovingly prepare their kids with as much information as they can possibly share.