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by Leigh Knight
Is your family preparing for a move? You’re not
alone. More than 40 million Americans move to new
residences every year, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau, including over 6 million school-aged kids. In
the Atlanta area, the average stay in a home is
estimated at 3-5 years, according to Atlanta real estate
author Allyson Roberts.
Whether it is a new job, a bigger home, better
schools, downsizing or even divorce, the decision to
move one’s family is not an easy one. No matter the
distance – cross-country, the next state or around the
corner – moving to a new home can be an exciting yet
stressful time, especially for kids. Fortunately, a
little help goes a long way.
"After 22 years in real estate, moving my daughter
[now 14] a couple of times, and seeing clients’ kids
move, I noticed there were plenty of books to help
adults move but not many up-to-date books to help kids
cope with a move," says Roberts, an Atlanta native and
award-winning Realtor and author of Leroy the
Labrador: The Big Move.
Roberts’ beautifully illustrated book, based on her
own family’s pet, helps children adjust to the stress of
moving by letting them know they are not alone in their
feelings.
"My best advice is to not minimize what kids are
going through," says Roberts. "Let them pick out their
rooms (except, of course, the master bedroom), so they
can have a sense of ownership."
Another parenting tool to help avoid "moving
meltdowns" is a unique keepsake album by award-winning
author Renee Raab Whitcombe. Look Who’s Moving to a
New Home addresses each child’s excitement,
anticipation, anxiety and limited understanding of what
relocating really means through an easy-to-personalize
book designed for children ages 4-8. Children answer the
questions the book poses in addition to filling it with
photos and time capsule items from their old home,
giving them the confidence to embrace the family’s move.
"The more frequently a family moves the more
important the need for internal stability," according to
the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
"With the proper attention from parents and professional
help, if necessary, moving can be a positive growth
experience for children, leading to increased
self-confidence and interpersonal skills."
Make your next move an adventure, not an ordeal, with
advice from families who have recently relocated to the
Atlanta area:
Diana and Robert Loesch, two daughters,
Alyssa, 6, and Kristen, 15, moved from Memphis to Peachtree City
"We found we needed the kids to help choose the
house. We wanted something everybody could be happy
with. As it turns out, they were looking for completely
different things than we were – like a home with a
swimming pool, which we all love," says Diana. "My other
advice is don’t over-pack your car on the ride down!"
Andres and Vanessa Sarazua, five children, ages
13, 7, 3, 2, 7 months, moved from Miami to Buford
Vanessa took the initiative in making friends by
delivering cookies to her new neighbors to say hello,
while Andres pitched in to help another family unload
their moving van. One year later, Vanessa is on the
board of their homeowners association, and the children
are excelling in school, according to Andres, going from
a classroom ratio of 35:1 in Miami to 20:1.
“It has been a very good, positive experience through
the help of our Realtor and the local Mormon Church,”
says Andres. “My advice is to leave the kids at home
while house hunting until you narrow it down, and take
your time.”
Anthony and Andrea Thornton, daughter,
Toni, 11, son, Christopher, 19 months, moved from
Kennesaw to Canton
An expanding family, including a new
baby and dog, prompted the Thornton family to move the
short distance from Kennesaw to Canton last August.
"We chose a family-oriented subdivision
with a water park," says Andrea, who moved during her
daughter’s transition out of elementary school. "She’s
now in a sixth grade academy, which is a neat concept."
"I was a little freaked out at first
because I really had my confidence in the childcare my
son went to in Kennesaw," says Andrea, "but I was able
to find one that is a part of the same chain here. He
had to adjust to new teachers, but the philosophy and
curriculum are the same, and the environment is similar.
He doesn’t want to leave when I pick him up!"
The Thornton’s recommend visiting the
area that you are moving to often prior to the move.
"We got to know the people in our cul-de-sac. We
found out what was going on in the area, what there was
to do as a family. We visited a lot. It wasn’t just –
bam! – you’re in a new house," says Andrea, who is now a
Realtor. "For us, it was really smooth."
Jeff and Beth Hayward, two boys, Noel,
5, and William, 2, moved from Durham, N.C., to Decatur
"Learn as much as possible about the
location you’re moving to. ... Relocation guides can be
helpful, but they tend to be broad in scope. Even more
important is talking to people within the specific
neighborhood to which you are moving. For our family,
having kids made that easier. Well before the move, we
identified a preschool for our son through
recommendations from our Realtor and Jeff’s colleagues,"
says Beth. "[Then] we started asking parents, teachers
and administrators about T-ball leagues, pediatricians,
summer camps, etc. We found that parents were very eager
to share their views, which helped to make a daunting
array of prospects more manageable."
Through library programs, sports
leagues, church programs and neighborhood parks, the
Hayward family has met countless other parents and
children, according to Beth.
"But it also helped to be proactive," says Jeff, "and
Beth was able to develop strong relationships with
several other stay-at-home moms by starting her own
playgroup."
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