Huntsville Living December 2024 | Page 23

see moving to a new home as an exciting fresh start while children may see it as leaving behind the only bedroom they ’ ve ever known .

Approaching changes through a child ’ s lens helps reframe what ’ s happening . Instead of minimizing feelings , adults can acknowledge the shift children are experiencing and guide them with care .

Proactively Communicate

When families face big changes , one of the most common questions is , “ What do we tell the kids ?” There ’ s often a struggle between wanting to protect children from overwhelming emotions and offering them enough information to make sense of what ’ s going on .

Rather than avoiding the conversation , discuss what ’ s happening using this framework :

1 . Acknowledge what ’ s happening . Use clear , simple language , such as : “ Daddy is moving to a different house and you ’ ll have two homes now .”

2 . Focus on the present or immediate future . Young children often don ’ t have a solid grasp of time . While they can understand routines and orders of events , it takes well into elementary school for them to truly conceptualize time .

3 . Name the feelings . Give children words for what they might be feeling . “ It ’ s OK to feel sad or confused right now . Sometimes changes feel hard .”

4 . Provide reassurance . Let them know that even though things are changing , they ’ re still safe and loved .

5 . Encourage questions . If you don ’ t have an answer , it ’ s OK to say , “ I ’ m not sure , but I ’ ll find out ,” or “ We ’ re figuring this out together .”

Avoidance is a natural instinct , but silence leaves children to fill in the gaps with their imaginations , which can be scarier than reality . Moreover , when they sense something is different but no one is talking about it , children might feel alone in their confusion . By proactively communicating , you tell them , “ I ’ m here with you .”

Embrace Feelings

Transitions can be emotional and children need space to express their feelings without judgment . When a child cries or lashes out , instead of responding with , “ Don ’ t be sad ,” validate the experience by saying , “ I see you have big feelings right now . I ’ m here with you .” Help your child manage these feelings by encouraging active expressions , such as drawing , writing or moving to music .

Transitions can be challenging , but they ’ re also opportunities to build resilience and deeper connections . Approaching big changes with empathy , proactive communication and an open heart helps children feel more secure and confident to move forward .

To watch a webinar featuring Loquasto sharing additional guidance and access parenting insights and resources , visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool . com .

Source : The Goddard School

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK

HUNTSVILLE LIVING | DECEMBER 2024 | 23