Moving with children is not always an easy thing to do. I have written about this in the past in a three part post about what to do before, during, and after the move. Seeing that I went through a multi-state move with 2 your girls, I can empathize with those of you who have recently or will soon be moving.
Moving is often an emotional and stressful period for the whole family. For children, it can be nerve racking and just plain confusing. Leaving behind friends, changing schools and having to get used to a new home can be really difficult.I have found that books can be an invaluable resource in helping to explain to kids that just because you move doesn’t mean you forget your old home or friends. FlateRate Moving, a nationwide leader in moving and storage, suggests these books to help children have a smooth transition during and after a move.
- Moving Day by Meg Cabot – This book comes from Cabot’s series for younger girls, Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls. Known for her entrancing stories in The Princess Diaries series, Cabot takes readers through Allie Finkle’s reaction and reality when her family decides to move across town. Filled with worries and concerns, Finkle has to go to a new school as a new kid and find new friends. But what about her old best friend?
- The Moving Book: A Kids’ Survival Guide by Gabriel Davis – Turn moving into an adventure for your tween. This fits somewhere between moving scrapbook and guide to moving. It includes advice on packing, discovering the new house and neighborhood and also getting valuable information from the old neighbors so that they aren’t forgotten in the move.
- We’re Moving by Heather Maisner – When kids move, they aren’t just leaving behind their house. They are also moving away from the special things they did with their family there – like plant a garden, play tag in the yard or have an Easter egg hunt. This story for young elementary school kids addresses that, and how you can make new memories like those in your new home too.
- The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan Berenstain – The Berenstain Bears are moving to a new tree house and Brother isn’t sure he’s going to like it — or make friends. This is perfect for talking to your preschooler about a move, since the Bears are very vocal with their relatable concerns.
- Who Will Be My Friends? by Syd Hoff – This is a great book to give your child just before or after a move or if a new family has moved into the neighborhood. Freddy teaches us what it is like to be new and discovers that meeting new people and new friends is not as difficult as he first thought.
So good luck to all of you that are looking into moving for the first or umpteenth time, and know that there are many resources out there to aid your kids in their transitions!
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Great topic! We're not moving soon, but one day we will, and we might need some of these resources.
I did send this post's link to a friend who is moving this Saturday, and he has multiple children. So, great timing.
Well said. Moving is always difficult. And when you have little kids, it really can be terrible. Thanks for the useful tips on the books. Sounds like a good idea for parents to read them before moving.
Regards,
Julie