The effect of a move on children can be similar to a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or flood. No matter how many warnings you get, you never fully realize the magnitude of its impact on your life and those you hold dear. Being properly equipped and prepared to weather the storm, or the move, can leave you and your loved ones bonded even closer by the experience.

Here are some ideas from Susan Miller’s book, 'But Mom, I Don’t Want to Move!,' that will help you to prepare and equip your children for what lies ahead.

Share The News!
Share the news with everyone in the family as soon as possible. Spend some time explaining why, where, and when you are moving and give as much information as you can. The more time your children have to process everything you’ve told them, the better.

Informational Meetings
Keep everyone up-to-date by informing them daily or weekly about what is going on. Kids don’t like surprises when it comes to life-changing events.

Involvement Encourages Ownership
Make this a team effort by involving them in the moving process. Give your children simple, not overwhelming, tasks to be done in their own time frame, such as returning library books or going through old toys, games, and clothes they have outgrown to pass on to someone else. Involving your children will encourage them to take ownership in the move.

Tales Of Childhood Moves
Share stories of your own childhood moves. Children love to hear about their parents’ adventures in moving. Sharing experiences about how you felt and what you did when you moved as a child will help to bridge mutual understanding and create a common bond.

Give A Little Extra Time
You might need to spend some extra one-on-one time with each of your children. It could be at bedtime, going out for an ice cream cone together, going for a walk, or sitting around the kitchen table. Buying lunch for our teenagers always worked for us!

Focus On The Positive
Talk it up, not down. There’s always something positive about wherever you are moving. Think of one good thing each day about moving or find out one interesting fact about where you are going.

Research Your New Home
Check out where you are moving. Find out all you can at the library or on the internet. Write the Chamber of Commerce and have information sent to your children. (They get mail!)
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Be A Reflection Of The Positive
Remember that children will mirror what you model. If you are excited and see the move as a wonderful new opportunity, it is likely your children will too. Your attitude and behavior are contagious.

Time For Some Extra Hugs!
Remind your children of your love for them. This is what I would say to my children: "One thing that will never change is my love for you. No matter where we go, how far away it is, what kind of house we live in, or how many changes we have to make, I will always love you. It’s like God’s love for us. His love never changes."