How can you help a Family Cope with Moving?

Dad came home and gave us all the news. He had been offered a job in someplace called “Flagstaff” Arizona. I remembered hearing a little bit about the state Arizona but knew nothing. After all, I was only in the third grade. But moving? It didn’t sound like an adventure. It sounded tragic. How could we leave our house? I had written my name in the concrete. It was ours. And we knew not only all of our neighbors but had many close friends I can’t remember living without. And what about school? My teacher surely couldn’t live without me or so I thought in my 9 year old mind. I helped her correct papers and I was waiting for the next year when I had hoped beyond hope to get to have Mr. Holgren as my very own teacher. We couldn’t move.
But we did. We no longer live in the era where families stay in one place. Often they are separated by many miles. And friends serve an even greater role. They can become just like one’s family. Moving is a major life change and is stressful for adults and kids alike. There are ways you can help make the transition easier.
Offer your support. Come help clean and pack. Packing can be never-ending. Help the family host a garage sale. Getting rid of stuff can be helpful. Offer the family a gift. More than a card you can give them a special gift to remember. A personalized gift can make all the difference in the world. A personalized frame, blanket with photos, or fresh towels. For the kids pack a fun gift basket full of treats for the trip ahead. Make a DVD of photos of all of you together.
Moving is life altering. It can be especially difficult for kids. Making new adjustments to a new place, new school, new friends, and a new home are all treacherous adjustments for the child experiencing them. Another fun idea is to send a gift basket to their new home. Just think how happy they will be arriving to a basket made of love. We all grow when we are stretched but having others walk us through hard times can make life a whole lot easier. So get moving, and put together a personalized gift for the people you love!