Well, you’ve finally landed that big promotion at work that you’ve always wanted. Catch is, it’s in a whole new city or state and they’ve offered you a relocation package to help get you there. This may sound great to you, but breaking the news to your family will be tough. They may have gotten used to their neighborhood, friends, schools and places of work. Telling them it’s time to pack up and move could be met with a lot of resistance.
A move is a big upheaval in a kid’s or teen’s life, especially if they are being asked to leave the only home they’ve ever known and start over in a strange place. Moving may be hard on you or your spouse, but it’s even harder on young ones who are just trying to find their way in this world, setting down roots, and making friends.
Here are some tips on how to tell your kids you’re moving.
Time it Right
When you tell your family about the move is just as important as how you tell them. Don’t do it when you only have a few minutes because you’re rushing out the door. Don’t do it when everyone’s hungry and tired at the end of a long day. Don’t do it when one or more members of the family are missing, such as at work or school. Turn off all sources of interruption, such as the phone, TV, computers, etc.
In most cases, it’s good to tell your kids as soon as you know about the move so you don’t have to keep it a secret for any length of time. This will also avoid the possibility of someone outside the family mentioning it before they know about it. It’s always best that they hear about the move from you, or their trust in you could be damaged. On the other hand, if you have very young kids who are likely not to comprehend the timing of it all, consider putting off telling them until it gets closer to moving day.
Welcome Their Input
Even young kids should have a say in the move. Maybe not necessarily whether to move or not, but certainly when it comes to taking control over their own experience. Ask them to voice their opinions and feelings in a constructive manner. It may not change the outcome of the move, but it will help them feel heard.
By having a family meeting about the move, you’re empowering your kids to be a part of the decision and plan of action. You can use this time to talk about the timeline, where the new house will be, where they’ll be going to school, and what things are located around there that they would like.
Get them excited about what to expect. Maybe siblings who have always had to share a room will now be able to have their own rooms. Maybe your teenager who has always had the smallest room will now have a finished basement all to himself. Maybe the new neighborhood is within walking distance of local coffee shops, restaurants, parks and movie theaters.
In the end, kids take cues from their parents, so the calmer and more relaxed you can be, the calmer and more relaxed they will be in receiving the news.
Contact Big Lake Movers
If you have just learned of a relocation for work or you have decided to move your family for personal reasons, start planning now with a free quote from Big Lake Movers.
