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Moving to a new city can be stressful to a young child or adolescent. Reasons being are usually adjusting to different faces and loosing established relationships. The sadness a parent sees a child going through can be heartache for the parent as well. So here are some suggestions to help have your child make a smoother, more positive transition: 
- Get started early. What I mean here is get to the town before moving and gets your child familiar with the city and what is there. Go out to eat there, attend a parade there or city event (like a festival, homecoming...)
- Get your child started in a sport or organization there. For example you can enroll your son or daughter in scouts in that city without living there yet. Or have your child join a city recreation sport team or a library program in that town. By doing that your child gets to meet and develop relationships prior to moving in.
- Have a little going away party and have your child's friends give your child contact information as their goodbye gift.
- Many parents moving to a new city already have friends or family in that new city. If you are fortunate to have that, consider setting up sleep dates for the weekends so that the child can have some experience and familiarity with living in that town.
- Have your child come with you as you pre register them to their new school so that get to see the place.
- Before the actual big move visit the new house and have your child set something up in their new bedroom prior to the move. It work like a house warming to your child when they get there on the move. It could be something as simple as their name or favorite poster on bedroom door or wall.
- Allow your child to maintain contact with his old friends when you do move in. Have sleepovers or invite then to your soccer game. Perhaps a picnic or house party can help.
- This may be common sense but easily overlooked is consider what your child's "security blanket" may be and make sure that comes along. A favorite toy, pillow, blanket, clothing may be the case. That item goes with your child and not in the truck. Your child might just want to pack a duffle bag or small box of favorites to carry with them in the car.
- Have your child help unload his favorite items out of the moving truck.
- Have a friend come along with your child to help them move into their new place and / or invite a child in the new neighborhood help your child move in.
- Parents should also access their own network to gain information about the local culture for themselves and their children. Especially with teens, who are more apt to be on their own without adult supervision, it is important for parents to know where teens hang out, what's safe, what pitfalls to avoid.
- Have a house warming party and future parties (such as birthdays) where there is the opportunity for old friends to come visit.
- Kids' text message now too and perhaps positive text messages from old friends during the first week of getting use to the home can make all the difference. Talk to old parents about doing that with their kids to help out.
- Let your child decorate his or her room the way they want it. Don't assume your child wants his or her room the way it was at the old house. In many cases they will want it the same old way but in other cases this may be something your child may get excited about doing in looking at this is a new change for them.
- Be prepared for periods of extreme mixed emotions. Anger, sadness, withdrawn or shy behavior and emotions. Be supportive, don't take it personally, and don't be angry. Look at your child going this the way you may grieve a loss and attack the issue that way. Listening, comfort, doing some of the above, and love will get your child through this transition.
Hope this helps....
Stan Stepak
Realtor
Howard Hanna -Avon Lake
440-476-0234
