Parent to Parent: Moving

WSVN--Caleb Lawson: "These are all the toys."

Caleb Lawson is really proud of his new room.

But it wasn't always this way.

Caleb, his brother Jacob, his mom, and dad recently moved from Miami-Dade to Broward county.

Michelle Lawson: "When the pictures came down, he would walk around the house going this house is getting ruined, what's going on? Where's my toys?"

But even before the moving van arrived, Steve and Michelle tried to prepare the boys for the big day.

Steve Lawson: "We really emphasized that this house was going to be really fun and it was awesome. Getting them involved is probably the number one thing to do and make it very fun, very exciting."

Lynn Martinez: "And that's what you should do. If you are planning to relocate, make sure you involve your kids."

Seven parenting expert, Dr. Sally Goldberg says moving is a major transition for children, so sit down and talk about it.

Dr. Sally goldberg: "Explain everything you can about the move. Find books about where you're going. If you know people there, contact the people."

If your kids are upset about the move, address their concerns and fears.

Let them vent and ask you lots of questions.

But be sure to tell them the decision is final.

Then once you've talked, pack together.

Dr. Sally Goldberg: "Go through things together, things you're going to take, things you're not going to take."

And you should do this room by room.

Set a routine.

Just make sure before you start, you take pictures of your old home.

Dr. Sally Goldberg: "You'll have them as memories of how it was and your children could also have them to be excited about and to show to the new people about where he used to live."

Also talk about ways your kids can make new friends.

Encourage them to stay in touch with old friends.

You could even throw a going away party.

Caleb Lawson: "This is the playroom and this is Jakey's room."

Caleb now loves to give tours of his new home.

The Lawsons know it's a place they'll call home sweet home for a long time.

Michelle Lawson: "Sometimes I look around and I can't believe how adjusted we are into the house and how now it's really our home and it feels like our home."

Steve Lawson: "We have everything we didn't have in the other house. I think we are here to stay for a long time."

parent@wsvn.com

Dr. Debbie Glasser's Website:

www.newsforparents.org