The Marriage Counseling Blog

Many family therapists are called on to help children who have or will shortly be moving away long distance. Long distance moving can be difficult on a family, especially one with school age children. Moving to a new home is always a stressful event, but for a child it can be even more so, especially when parents are caught up in their own stress. This can have highly negative consequences on the emotional health of the children, whose lives are being changed completely and who have no control of the situation.

Family Therapy helps children deal with moving

Most family therapists agree that talking about the move is one of the best ways to open the lines of communication with your children. Simple, psychologically beneficial and a way of deepening the family bond, talking lets kids discuss their fears and anger and helps them see that they are not alone.

Here are some tips to making your long distance move easier on the kids:

• Never keep the move a surprise. Moving is a massive, life changing event and your kids deserve to have the time to prepare themselves.
• Tell the children about it as early as possible so that they can take the time to digest information, ask questions and get used to the idea.
• Talk about the positive changes in the move. This will help the kids get excited about new and better schools, better entertainment facilities, shopping malls, new friends and new opportunities.
• Reassure them that they can stay in touch with old friends and, if possible, visit.
• Let them help with the packing process. Packing can be fun and exciting and helps children recognize that they are an active part of the move.
• Answer any questions as honestly as possible. When children have negative comments about the move, try to stay positive and do not become angry.

Moving doesn’t have be a painful memory for your kids if you support them and help them with family therapy and love.

Related Posts

• Family Therapy Starts with Family
• Family Therapy for Children and Divorce
• Family Therapists Help Children Move On
• What is Marriage and Family Therapy
• When Family Therapy is Mandated by Separation