Life has lots of ups and downs. Kids are unaccustomed to change and may find it difficult to deal with. It is your responsibility to help coach them through it all. These big life changes are common enough that you should prepare to talk to your kids about them.
Changing Schools
How you talk to your kids is going to vary a lot depending on the ages of your children. You should talk to them, regardless of age – but your approach will change. Younger children will probably need more explaining. If the switch is happening because of unhealthy circumstances in the initial school, you will need to explain that to them as best as you can. If it’s for other circumstances, you will need to talk about it in a way that they understand. With older children, it should be more of a conversation than an explanation.
Moving
Similar talks should happen with moving. It usually takes place in conjunction with changing schools, although it is a lot more all-encompassing for children – and thus, more traumatic. Help your kids understand that their life is not ending just because they have to leave their friends behind. Help them understand that they will find and make new friends. Even teenagers need to understand this since they have the same needs and fears. Sometimes your house no longer meets your family’s needs and you need to move. Always, understanding is the goal that you should have in mind. Even if your child is upset, understanding why the move needed to happen can help tremendously.
Puberty
Some parents may find talking about puberty or sex with their children to be difficult or embarrassing. It is in your best interest to work through these feelings if you feel that way. Children who are left to understand such things about life from their peers, the internet, or from schools often end up feeling confused or lost. It’s your responsibility to talk to them directly, clearly, and respectfully. Keep in mind how you will need to talk to your child about their body and their development specifically. This one is inevitable and important.
There are lots of other changes that you should keep in mind. These are only a couple of the most common and universal. Change is a process that children need to become acclimated to, and they need your help to do it in order to become well-adjusted adults.
Check out this article on how to pick the next place for your family to live!
