You should be aware that moving for children and talking to them about it, may bring up strong emotions. They will feel scared, uncertain and a sense that their world is about to collapse. In fact, a child’s home is their world, one of which they associate with family, safety and love, the though of it no longer existing can be very frightening to your child.

For older children and teens, the uncertainty of leaving friends, teachers, school they know and a familiure routine can be equally hard. For both young children and older children, there are a number of things you can do to help them adjust to the move a little more smoothly.

Moving for older family members is particularly difficult, epically for seniors and those who have been in a home for many years. Memories are often intertwined with our possessions, or a particular room in a home. Find out how to talk to them about the moving process and whether it’s best for them and decisions regarding the move can be made together.

Its unfortunate that many of us will have to go through this during our life time. This decision as a caregiver and talking to your family member about such a move will be an arduous one, bringing with it feelings of guilt and failure that you didn’t do more.

Let’s face some facts here, there really is no easy way to do this, but we have complied some helpful tips here for your convenience.

Be emotionally intelligent and understand that you and your older family member will have varying feelings that are attached to this decision. Try to recognize those feelings and address them if you can.

At all times, remain calm. Raised voices or outward displays of anger will only leave both parties feeling hurt. As mentioned previously, this is an emotional time for everyone, recognize it, but don’t let it enter the conversation.

Allow your family member the opportunity to react to this decision and voice their concerns. Let them talk and hear them out. Listen to their fears and acknowledge how hard this is for them. Do not console them.

Take a moment and explain why this is the right decision and explain it in practical terms.

Don’t allow yourself to become emotional. Explain how they will need more medical expertise or attention and that you want them to be safe and well-cared for. Stay focused on the practical reasons, do not address emotional reasons. You’re stressed, your family is unhappy, etc.

Coaxing them isn’t a good idea. Don’t make false promises or subtle threats.

Moving is tough on everyone, but more so, moving is particularly difficult for a teen who is already experiencing his or own age-related issues. Leaving behind friends, the neighborhood they grew up in and their school is epically hard on this group.

For older children and teens, the uncertainty of leaving friends, teachers, school they know and a familiure routine can be equally hard. For both young children and older children, there are a number of things you can do to help them adjust to the move a little more smoothly.

Moving is tough on everyone, but more so, moving is particularly difficult for a teen who is already experiencing his or own age-related issues. Leaving behind friends, the neighborhood they grew up in and their school is epically hard on this group. MSJ Moving West has compiled some tips, below, on how a teen can adjust to a new school, help with making new friends and getting to know their new neighborhood will help them transition a little more easily.

Suggest they keep a journal appropriately titled. This is a great way for them to express how they’re feeling from day to about this major change. Its also a way for them to capture the moment, add in pictures of their friends, neighborhood and home.

Looking for that perfect house can be a daunting task. Ask your teenager in your family for their input. Include your teen(s) in the decision-making process by asking them what kind of bedroom they would prefer , what they look for in a good neighborhood, etc. Be sure to include them early and make them feel like a part of the decision.

Once you’ve decided on a home, have the details available and share it your family. Suggest that each member choose their room then suggest to them that they think about how they’d like heir space to look. Get them thinking of the space as theirs and the way to make it their own.

Ask your teen to research their new city of town. Suggest to them that they find specific information that will be necessary to your family, such as grocery stores, recreation, entertainment, etc.

Ask your teen how they’d like to say goodbye to their friends. Do they want to have a weekend get-together with a few close friends. Probe them for answers then help them plan for it.

If your moving long distance, suggest that your put together a moving kit. The kit can contain magazines, books, games, things to otherwise, keep them entertained during the trip. The kit can include maps of the new neighborhood, travel guides, lists of clubs and recreation facilities.

In addition to a moving kit, ask that your teen pack an essentials kit containing essential items they will need for the first few days in the new home. Personal items, cloths, books are items that can’t live without in their new home.

In addition to a moving kit, ask that your teen pack an essentials kit containing essential items they will need for the first few days in the new home. Personal items, cloths, books are items that can’t live without in their new home.

Be sure to include your teen in every day moving activities before and after the move. They can help out with packing, organize a garage sale or help with whatever needs doing around the house. Providing them with a task list will make them feel like their contributing to the move.

Moving and Kids can be quite a challenging process. Your child will feel as they don’t have any control over the process and that they are not part of the decision making process. Ensure your child is part of the decision making process by following some of the suggested steps below.

Kids can and often do ask questions that stump most adults. They will want to know about their new schools, sports teams, neighborhood and city. They will also ask questions that you haven’t thought of such as:

- How hard is it to make friends?
- Why are we moving?
- Are we taking the pets?

Not only Is answering your child’s questions regarding the move an excellent way to make him or her feel included in the process, providing your child with as much information about the new house will help them make some decisions before hand, such as where to place furniture and what color to paint their walls. Encourage them to make cut out’s of everything in their room so can arrange and rearrange things before the move day.

Provide your child with an address book and encourage them to compile a list of friends, teachers, etc. Encourage them to stay in touch and assure them that their friends are just a mouse click, phone call or stamp away.

Help you child plan for their goodbyes. Some kids may want to party while others prefer having a few close friend over for a final slumber party. Your child may want to hold a couple of separate events, such as one for school friends, one for neighbors, etc. Accommodated any requests the best you can and within reason.

Provide your child with a task list which includes sorting out their room. Ask them to donate or add to the garage sale any items such as unused toys or toys that they no longer play with, along with clothing they’ve out-grown.

Keep an open channel and the line of communication clearly opened. There are so many details that need to be wrinkled which will require lots of dialogue using all possible means of communication. You will have to rely on technology, verbal and nonverbal cues as well as listening. This is key! Be sure to create lists – there will be many. Write it all out so you don’t forget a thing.

If your moving long-distance, you will find plenty of naysayers, confidence reducers and doubts. Keep in mind that many people, just like you, do this all the time, and works out ninety-percent of the time. Epically when your driving across the country with two dogs and two kids, by yourself. Man of the comments you might hear include “you are a brave man”, “really, you sure you can handle that?”, in addition to others.