While moving yourself from one home or city to another can be an ordeal, having a family that you’re uprooting can make this whole process even more complicated. But while you might be dreading breaking the news to your kids, having this conversation early and in the right way can make things go much smoother for everyone involved.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for talking with your family about an imminent move.
Get Yourself In The Right Mindset Beforehand
Chances are that you’ve given yourself some time to come to grips with the reality of your move. And while you might be excited or hopeful, you may also be nervous or even upset about what this move could mean for your family. But while having all of those emotions is normal, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got yourself under control before you talk with your kids about moving.
According to Carrie of DistanceParenting.org, your kids will be able to tell if you’re not feeling very good about your decision to move, even if you’re trying to hide it. Because of this, they might feel negatively as well. So to do your best to avoid this, make sure you’ve gotten yourself in the right mindset about your move before talking with your family.
Expect Big Emotions
Once you’ve said your piece about your upcoming move, you should then give your kids time to express what they’re feeling about this news.
As far as the response from your kids, Dr. Sarah Ramsi, a contributor to Psychology Today, shares that there’s a chance that your kids will be upset or feel other big emotions when you tell them what’s going on. In this situation, the best thing for you to do is to allow them to express whatever it is they’re feeling and validate that you understand them. In time, things should calm down as you work through this process together.
Don’t Let Them Think They Have A Say If The Decision Has Been Made
Sometimes, parents come to their kids talking about an impending move before things have really been decided. If this is your plan, and you’re trying to get your kids’ thoughts on the matter, make sure you actually take what they’re saying into consideration.
On the other hand, Diane Schmidt, a contributor to The Spruce, shares that if the decision has already been made, don’t let your kids think that they have a say in the matter. Rather, let them know that you’re here for them if they need anything or want to talk but that the move will be happening regardless.
If you’re thinking about moving soon but are unsure how to best bring this up with your kids, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you with this conversation.
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