By Jennifer Juliano
Moving is often considered one of life’s stressful events. When children of any age are involved, this can sometimes add just that much more to the equation.
Whether your move is local or long-distance, how you help your children prepare mentally is key.
Some observations I’ve made through the years:
Presentation is everything. How you present yourself and the plans, even if they react tense at first, will help pave the way. Most people don’t like change, and if a child is younger or this is the only house they’ve ever lived in, change can be scary; it doesn’t have to be.
Within reason, let them be part of the process. Little things can make a huge difference adults don’t think of immediately. During a showing, a little one was teary that the bedroom they were looking at didn’t “look the same” as their current one. With her parents’ permission, I assured her that yes, they could have a yellow room there too even though the walls were blue at the moment.
Where possible, finding the new school and activities in the beginning of a house tour rather than jumping into the houses has made some kids and even teens visualize their upcoming new surroundings better. I’ve heard younger kids think “but it’s too far for me to go to school” not fully understanding that there will be a school waiting for them in their new area. What we take for granted as understanding, we need to remember in many cases, this could be a child’s first move or at least first they fully remember.
Once you have a definite closing and moving date set, let the kids know what it is. They can see it on a calendar, make it a countdown, and make the uncertainties of “what’s happening when” more tangible.
Wherever possible, keep your conversations as light as possible in front of them. This includes conversations about inspections, negotiations, financing, etc. especially if they are stressful. Children pick up on everything and of course you know your children best, but keeping the tone easy around them or waiting until you can have certain conversations privately may help immensely.
Take photos of your current home *before* any staging, repairs, etc. is done. That way, they have something to look back on if they ever wanted to in the way that they knew it. If nothing else, it’s a keepsake, and depending on the child, having a photo memory may be helpful.
Regardless of the age of your children, these and other tips will help them “make it home,” too.
Jennifer Juliano, Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty Boston-MetroWest
Member: KW Luxury Homes
Mobile: (508) 294-0778
I’ll Make It Happen.
You’ll Make It Home.
