ERA JUSTIN’S RELOCATION TIPS FOR KIDS

Beth Albanese and Sharon Robie focused sales professionals with ERA Justin Realty offer important relocation tips for kids. “ERA Justin Realty has been #1 in closed Rutherford transactions for the past 18 years. Many of the homes purchased, were done so with plans for their kids to begin the school year in a brand new location. Every year, one out of five American families move. One of the most important issues to them is explaining the news that they’re moving and adjusting to their new home. Being informed is very important to children. One of the worst mistakes we can make as adults is to assume that kids don’t care or won’t understand the details. Keeping them ‘in the loop,’ consulting them about choices whenever possible, and including them in the family game plan will work wonders toward their adjustment.” Other factors depend on a child’s age, Beth and Sharon continued:

“Preschool children: Kids under the age of six may worry about being left behind, or being separated from their parents. If you go on an orientation or house-hunting trip beforehand without the children, it’s important to reassure kids this age that you will be back; bring something unique back to them from the new town. It’s also very important for them to express their feelings and fears about the move. Give them a job to do – have them be responsible for boxing up their favorite toys, and ‘labeling’ their boxes with crayons and stickers.

Ages 6 to 12: Elementary age kids are usually most concerned with how the everyday routines of their lives are going to change. Showing them pictures, videos, and magazines of their new home will help a lot, especially if you can find new places in advance for the things they like to do. If your child takes dance lessons, find and share information about the new dance studio she can go to. If he takes karate or plays soccer or baseball, even if her favorite thing to do is the park or the pizza parlor, find these places in your new neighborhood and get brochures, pictures or videos.

Teenagers: Teenagers are most concerned with fitting in. They may react unhappily to the move. This is usually due to the total lack of control they have over everything important in their lives – friends, school and jobs – being disrupted. These children can be very worried about making new friends, and what will be different in the new school. They are curious about the clothing, hairstyles, bicycles, cars, etc. that kids in the new city will have. Pictures of all these things are very helpful, so if you take an orientation trip to be sure to take many detailed photos/videos of the schools they will be attending.

Other tips for making the transition:

1. Give young children an entertaining travel kit for the move.
2. Give older children a diary for recording the trip and move.
3. Give children of all ages a special address book and stationery set for keeping up with old friends.
4. Take videos of the new home if the kids won’t get to see it before the move. Arrive well before the movers so kids can explore and become acquainted first.
5. Give children a chore to do, such as working on their room (younger), supervising little siblings (middle), and painting or arranging furniture (older kids).
6. Take a break with the family as soon as possible to explore the museums, sights, and recreation in your new city.
7. Arrange a visit to new schools and a meeting with the teacher before the actual first day of attendance.
8. Encourage the children to bring new friends home.

Regardless of when you move, prepare your children well for the transition. By planning ahead, you’ll be able to offer them a few details of what to expect. Give the kids plenty of opportunities to express their feelings about the move, and their anxieties about the new school, new friends and teachers. Try to find ways to address your own emotional needs and your stress load so that you appear available to the kids at times. Planning and organizing can help keep stress to a minimum. Different children have different needs, certainly, and all kids process stress differently. Share your feelings and encourage the kids to see the move as a family adventure. You’re all in it together. You will all experience emotional ups and downs, and it’s important that everyone understands how normal these feelings are. Acknowledge the emotions of moving. Looking ahead to the new house, new school, and new friends should shortly be an exciting experience.

Jennifer Darby Metzger, owner-broker concluded, “This is an overview of how you may want to handle your move. It is our pleasure to assist our home buyers and sellers throughout the entire process. Reach any of our Realtor sales professionals at either of our two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue. By phone, (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.” Additional information about ERA Justin Realty is available on our 1000’s of homes websites at www.erajustin.com and www.erajustinrealty.com.”