Ten Tips For A Smooth Move With Children (NAPSA)—Whenconsidering a move, a recent survey found, a parent’s top concern is how that movewill affect their family. Fortunately, guidance is now available on how to make the moveeasier for children. Here are 10 tips from the real estate professionals at Century 21: 1. Make a positive goodbye to the old home and community. Before you move, host a gettogether with close friends and neighbors to say goodbye. Visit special places your family loves. When your homeis empty, walk through the rooms and see how empty they are without your possessions. 2. Plan a welcoming ritual for your new home. Walk through it together. Gather to hang a family photograph or find a place for an object that is special to your family. 3. Have survival necessities that you can find immediately in your new home. This includes the “blankie” for baby, toys for kids, favorite pajamas for your preschooler, essential CD for your teen andthecoffee pot for you. 4. Re-establish family routines right away. Once you’ve movedin, get back to your normal schedule as quickly as possible. 5. Prioritize the unpacking process. Make yourfirst priority With a move, there’s a certain amount of disruption to normal schedules. Try to get back to them as quickly as possible. lar to the child’s old room and how it’s different. Pay special attention to things that were in the old room to encourage a sense of familiarity. 8. Get familiar with the new neighborhood. Talk to your kids about where they can go and where they can’t. To make a game of it, print out the Scavenger Hunt on www.C21SmoothMoves.com. 9. Help yourpetssettle in. Kids will feel more comfortable when they see that their four-legged friends are doing okay. Cats do best when you confine them to one setting up the kids’ rooms. Take room in the new home. Keep dogs on a leash until they get to know new home. 6. Allow the kids some say in 10. Make new friends but keep the old. Help your children make time to enjoy getting to know your setting up their bedrooms. Let them claim their new space. 7. Help your children feel comfortable in their new rooms. Some children have problems sleeping in a new bedroom. Take time to talk about how this room is simi- the new neighborhood. friends in the new community by finding activities for them,including clubs, lessons and classes. At the same time, support their need to hold on to their old friends. For moretips, visit the Web site at www.C21SmoothMoves.com.
