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• Introduce the idea gradually;

• Even though your children cannot decide which house to buy or location to move to, try not to let them feel left out of the decision making process;

• Where possible, allow your children to accompany you to your new home/surroundings prior to making the move – if this is not possible, take photographs of your new home and community;

• Involve your children in plans to decorate their new bedrooms and play areas, and where possible, allow them to select their own rooms;

• Give your children a special task that requires a degree of responsibility, for example – making sure the family pet is kept safe and happy during the relocation;

• Research your new community and all it has to offer, and become involved and active in your new community as soon as is practicable after the move – your children will follow your example;

• Allow your children to tell their friends and neighbours, and help them collect addresses (including email addresses) to encourage them to keep in touch, reinforcing the notion that friendships needn’t be lost;

Packing Up & Moving Day

• Where possible, allow your children to decide what items of theirs are to be moved with them, and what can be ‘purged’ before the big day;

• Let your children colour or put stickers over their boxes to easily identify their ‘stuff’ as it comes off the truck;

• If your children are infants or toddlers, if possible consider having them watched by relatives or friends to avoid distracting your chosen relocation professionals, as well as to avoid potential dangers associated with large trucks and moving equipment;

• Prepare a ‘last in – first out’ box stocked with items you will need immediately upon arrival at your new home, such as – snacks, kitchen items, toiletries, hand tools, etc.;

• Prepare a ‘first night’ box stocked with items to speed up bed-making and settling-in on the first night, such as – sheets, blankets, towels, next day clothes (including underwear), and comfort items that a child could be attached to ie., stuffed toys, special pillow, night light etc.

Moving house affects each child differently, and quality time with parents (as hard as it may be to offer at such a busy time), is what children need during this difficult period of transition. Avoid ignoring their insecurities about the move with cliches like ‘everything will be alright’, and listen to their perspectives, and address their concerns giving them lots of facts and information appropriate for their age group and level of understanding. If all else fails, the ‘distraction’ approach can always be applied to take their minds off the move. You can do this by preparing games such as riddles or 'I see' games. These help to relieve tension and introduce fun interactions as part of the big day. Depending on your child's character a computer game or a book may just as well keep them content and occupied.



	Kids, Pets & Moving Day Did you know -- the degree of stress felt when moving house and moving from familiar surroundings for most of us, is second only to the psychological distress of losing a loved one. It is rated ahead of illness, loss / change of employment, and divorce. For children under five, for school-aged children, and for teenagers alike, the stresses are no different. While adults focus primarily on the practicalities involved with a move, children focus on the associated losses.
	Tips on how to help your kids cope with the move: Preparation & Communication • Introduce the idea gradually; • Even though your children cannot decide which house to buy or location to move to, try not to let them feel left out of the decision making process; • Where possible, allow your children to accompany you to your new home/surroundings prior to making the move – if this is not possible, take photographs of your new home and community; • Involve your children in plans to decorate their new bedrooms and play areas, and where possible, allow them to select their own rooms; • Give your children a special task that requires a degree of responsibility, for example – making sure the family pet is kept safe and happy during the relocation; • Research your new community and all it has to offer, and become involved and active in your new community as soon as is practicable after the move – your children will follow your example; • Allow your children to tell their friends and neighbours, and help them collect addresses (including email addresses) to encourage them to keep in touch, reinforcing the notion that friendships needn’t be lost; Packing Up & Moving Day • Where possible, allow your children to decide what items of theirs are to be moved with them, and what can be ‘purged’ before the big day; • Let your children colour or put stickers over their boxes to easily identify their ‘stuff’ as it comes off the truck; • If your children are infants or toddlers, if possible consider having them watched by relatives or friends to avoid distracting your chosen relocation professionals, as well as to avoid potential dangers associated with large trucks and moving equipment; • Prepare a ‘last in – first out’ box stocked with items you will need immediately upon arrival at your new home, such as – snacks, kitchen items, toiletries, hand tools, etc.; • Prepare a ‘first night’ box stocked with items to speed up bed-making and settling-in on the first night, such as – sheets, blankets, towels, next day clothes (including underwear), and comfort items that a child could be attached to ie., stuffed toys, special pillow, night light etc. Moving house affects each child differently, and quality time with parents (as hard as it may be to offer at such a busy time), is what children need during this difficult period of transition. Avoid ignoring their insecurities about the move with cliches like ‘everything will be alright’, and listen to their perspectives, and address their concerns giving them lots of facts and information appropriate for their age group and level of understanding. If all else fails, the ‘distraction’ approach can always be applied to take their minds off the move. You can do this by preparing games such as riddles or 'I see' games. These help to relieve tension and introduce fun interactions as part of the big day. Depending on your child's character a computer game or a book may just as well keep them content and occupied.