I know from my own childhood that moving can create a lot of angst for kids, so when Foldigo offered to make some free moving-themed printables to share through my site I thought it would be a good opportunity to help the kids prepare for our upcoming move from Massachusetts to California with my kids!
Our moving truck won’t look much like the one from the printable, but this was a great opportunity to talk about what would be similar, and what would be different!
This was also a great chance to talk about what will go in the moving truck, and what will happen to the stuff we put in the truck. I remember that, for one of my moves growing up, my then-three-year-old sister was terrified on moving day. My parents finally figured out that she thought she was going to get packed in a box – and she was worried because it would be dark, and she wasn’t sure she could hold her breath for that long! Hopefully having conversations with my kids now will help them feel more in control and less stressed on moving day!
My kids really enjoyed making these printables, and my three-year-old carried hers around for several days! They all seem much calmer about the move, too, after a quiet coloring question-and-answer session! We talked about what would go in the truck, what would be sold with our house, and what we would bring with us on the plane (or van, if we drive – which we are considering doing!)
Foldigo was kind enough to provide these coloring pages as a free printable for my readers! Just click on the links below for the truck and the kids:
Drop by their website to learn about their subscription service, and to sign up for more freebies through their site!
How do you recommend preparing kids for a move?
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Another great idea MaryAnne. I don’t know that I prepared my girls enough. We have now been in Zambia for about a month and the girls are starting to settle in but they have made it very clear that they would prefer to be in Malawi.
I think it is extremely difficult to prepare kids enough. I know it is going to be hard for my kids to start school without their friends this fall.
Those are so adorable! I hope your big move goes well!
Thanks! I thought they were super cute – and they really did help the kids wrap their heads around the move!
What a great little moving set. Play is always such a great way for kids to express their emotions and work through what is worrying them. Can’t wait to follow along with your big move.
A question-and-answer colouring session to talk about moving is ideal! Role playing or just thinking things through out loud can also be good – particularly the potentially stressful times such as the day the moving truck arrives and the day you go into the empty new house together.
Something from the grief book I read after my dad died might help, too. They talk about going from room to room as a family and remembering different events that happened there. I’ll send you a scan of the section where they talked about moving.
I love the idea of role playing and thinking out loud. And thank you so much for the book scans – so helpful!
Sounds like a great way to prepare them! When we have a move, we always talk to the kids and let them share their sadness in leaving a place. I find that if they get the chance to voice their emotions, it’s much easier on them and helpful for them to embrace moving to a new place.
Voicing emotions really does make a big difference!
What a great idea to walk them through the steps of moving. Your poor little sister! It would be terrifying to be packed and shipped away in a box!
Here’s a link to kids’ books about moving from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-About-Moving-with-Kids/lm/RJY5OA9Z37UT
I haven’t read any of them, but I think the Berenstain Bears always do a good and comforting job. The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan Berenstain. I like this series because it’s funny Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst.
Maybe some picture books will also help. That’s always my go to.
Thanks for the book suggestions! I agree that reading a book is a great place to start!
When I was a kid, we drove everywhere for vacations. From Massachusetts to Florida, Seattle, Mexico, Canada, Tennessee…. We always drove for our vacations and did this from the time I was born. I don’t remember a lot of specific things from my childhood, but I remember the time we spent in the car on these vacations and it is precious to me, so maybe it will be a great experience. I love road trips with my kids; we haven’t done one that long (our longest will be to upstate NY to visit my sister in a few weeks) but I love the time in the car to just be together.
That is great that you drove so much! My family did, as well – Mike not so much. Driving would be a lot more work than flying, but also much more memorable!
Moving is stressful for everyone! Such a great idea to talk about it over some coloring!
You are considering driving with kids all the way across the country? Wow! I think older ones might be able to take it, but I don’t know if Lily will tolerate that kind of adventure :) In any case, I hope they are getting excited about the change :)
It may be a crazy idea, but we are considering it…