If you have a big move coming up and are concerned about how your kids will deal with it, you’re not alone. Moving is a big change. Like any transition in life, kids need to be coached and supported throughout. Using children’s books to help deal with a big move is a great method of helping kids adjust and prepare. Because they deal with characters who aren’t themselves, kids can learn about moving without fear or apprehension.
1. The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Berenstain Bears books are beloved classics for a good reason. Brother and Sister are friendly, sweet characters. They encounter real-life situations that our own children encounter. In this book about moving day, Brother experiences all sorts of anxieties and worries. Fortunately, Mama and Papa bear is there to help and guide him.
2. My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary, Big Move: A Workbook for Children Moving to a New Home by Lori Attanasio Woodring Ph.D.
Geared for children ages 5-11, this workbook guides kids step-by-step through the whole moving process. Understanding emotions, saying goodbye to old friends and hello to new friends, and beginning a new adventure with a positive outlook are covered. Because kids get to fill out parts of the book themselves, it empowers them to take real ownership of their feelings.
3. The Good-Pie Party by Liz Garton Scanlon and Kady MacDonald Denton
One of the hardest things about moving is leaving your friends. The Good-Pie Party tackles this issue head-on. Loveable friends Posy, Megan, and Mae come up with a way to deal with Posy’s upcoming move. Instead of spending their days crying, the friends decide to host a pie-baking Good-Pie Party. That way Posy can leave on a positive note with warm, fuzzy memories.
4. Little Critter: We Are Moving by Mercer Mayer
Little Critter is filled with concerns when his parents tell him he’ll be moving. He doesn’t want to leave his familiar sandbox or go to a new school. But while Little Critter is initially resistant, he ends up moving to a place that is not as different as he feared.
5. Big Ernie’s New Home: A Story for Young Children Who Are Moving by Terese Martin
A book for 2 to 5-year-olds, Big Ernie’s New Home gives a detailed account of all the thoughts and worries that come up when a big move approaches. The story is told from the perspective of Ernie’s cat, and Ernie comforts him with reassuring thoughts about how moving is not so bad.
6. Moving Day! (Helping Hands Series) by Jess Stockham
Meant for little kids, this book deals with the practical aspect of packing (what to throw out, what to keep). It lets the child take part in the moving process, which offers both reassurance and empowerment during a nerve-wracking transition.
Choose the Book That Will Help Your Child Most
When you read children’s books to help deal with a big move, you can make moving fun for kids and give your children the tools they need to deal with this potentially unstable time. Since different books deal with different aspects of moving, you can pick one that speaks most to you and the issues facing your child. Of course, you can always read more than one book and prepare for moving with a multi-faceted approach.
