Turn your big move into a fun adventure for your children By making them part of the process, they’ll feel excited about the move and have the positive attitudes it takes for a smooth adjustment to a new home and location. Preschoolers: Young children tend to worry about being left behind. Reassure them and point out the “great stuff” about their new home Make labels with your children’s names and have your preschoolers label boxes of their toys and possessions Keep one or two special toys unpacked for your child to carry along on moving day Ages 6 to 12: Moving away from friends and leaving behind activities is the hardest part for this age group. Encourage kids to make a scrapbook or photo album of their current friends and home to help ease the transition Send for information on local parks and activities in your new location Teenagers: Moving can be quite disruptive to a teen. Try to minimize their anxieties. Help them prepare for the move by finding answers to their questions. Call their new school for a video, brochure or yearbook, and have a school representative give them a call at your current home Be ready to explore your new location before all the boxes are unpacked—help teens find new “favorite” pizza places, movie theaters, shopping malls and recreation centers