Moving with kids can be equal parts exciting, fun, stressful, and anxiety-inducing. Am I right?
One of the biggest causes of both excitement and anxiety for children during a move is wondering what life will be like for them at school. School is such a massive part of their day to day life and not knowing what it will be like, coupled with having to move away from the friends that they have already made is a lot for kids to process. Not to mention, there is the stress that they really didn’t get much of a say in this move to begin with.
I hate to see families struggle with this portion of their move to Mount Pleasant, so today I am sharing my best tips for helping your kids adjust to their new school in Mount Pleasant. I hope it adds to your family’s happiness and growth!
Start The Conversations As Early As Possible
I can’t stress enough how important it is that you let your kids in the loop about the upcoming move as soon as possible. The lack of control they have over these major life decisions is very frustrating for children but having the information they need to process the changes helps. Don’t just talk about the fact that you will be moving, but come to the family meeting prepared to teach them about the schools in Mount Pleasant as well. The more information they have about what is to come the easier it will be for them to accept it and adjust.
Lead By Example With A Positive Attitude
You can’t force your children to be happy about this move. However, as their biggest role model you can certainly influence their opinion by being a leading example. Despite how you might feel about this move, do your best to be as positive and upbeat as possible. Little kids are more likely to pick up on your happiness and share in the positivity.
Allow Them To Make Some Choices When Possible
Since they won’t have much ability to participate in the decision-making process of the move, it is important that you are conscious of giving them the opportunity to makes as many choices as possible. Where they attend school or daycare can be one area where you allow them to participate in the decision. I suggest you narrow the list of options for them ahead of time and then visit each school or daycare with them so they can provide their opinions. At least this way, they have the chance to feel heard and seen about a significant part of their life.
Take Them For A Tour Or Two Before They Start
Taking a tour of a new school is pretty standard for parents but it is very important for your students as well. With so many new stressors, the last thing they need is to be overwhelmed by getting lost in their new school. If you can, take your kids to their new school at least twice so they can get their bearings and grow a little more comfortable in that setting before their first day.
Try To Keep The Same Routine As Before
In the time leading up to the move, do your best to maintain as much of your regular routine as you can. In a time of so much change and what feels like uncertainty for your kids, the more that is normal in their life, the more secure they will feel. Once you move, it would be in everyone’s best interest to either return to that routine (as much as possible) or develop a new one that makes sense for you all in your new home.
Planning To Move To Mount Pleasant?
Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your very wise decision to move to Mount Pleasant! Our sunny little lowcountry suburb is safe, fun, and the perfect place to raise a family. If you need help finding the perfect Mount Pleasant home for your family to grow into, give me a call today and I will assemble a short list of available properties that meet your needs. Already have a home here? Be sure to subscribe to my blog for more weekly tips on how to make the most of your life in and around Mount Pleasant.
