The Trouble with Change

Change can be hard on children, but with these handy tips you’ll be able to easily navigate whatever life throws at your family.

Start a conversation

Having a frank and honest chat with your children about what’s happening in their lives is vital. It may be that the problem at hand is a bigger deal for you that it is for them.

Either way, make it clear that it’s okay to have big emotions about the new situation and reassure them that you are always there to listen to their fears and thoughts.

Read books on change

Whether a new baby is on the way, you’re moving to a different town, or one parent will be leaving the family home, there is a book – or 10! – for your specific needs. With titles like: Two Homes; You Were First and My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary Big Move, stories are great for solving problems in a gentle, kind and even humorous way.

Involve them

If something is going to change then get the kids involved. They will enjoy planning and embracing this new aspect of their lives. Perhaps it’s the prospect of a new room or finding exciting places to visit in your new area, or maybe there is a problem you can’t work out on your own that your child – with their brilliant, open and diverse mind – can solve it in a jiffy. Remember, kids are more resourceful and resilient than we give them credit for.

Prioritise routines

Humans, in general, like routine, yet kids thrive on it. So always seek to find that fine line between things being different but also being a bit the same. From a simple bedtime story, to seeking out the pool in your new area so you can maintain your Sunday swim, it’s all about consistency.

Provide coping skills

Teaching children how to cope with their emotions is vital, regardless of what is going on in their lives. Typical coping strategies include slow deep breaths (to relax), distraction (thinking about something else), problem-solving (finding a way to improve the situation) and positive self-talk (telling yourself it will all be okay).

Be positive

No matter how you are feeling about the change ahead, try to put a good spin on it for the sake of your kids. Ultimately, the future only has the potential to be as brilliant as you can imagine it, so if you find yourself clinging needlessly to the past listen to George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and focus on brighter days ahead.

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