For children, it is a whole different ballgame to move than it is for adults. While the parents usually have an idea of where they are moving and what they are getting into, kids don't. What kids do realize is that they are going to be losing all their friends (and their friends are just as important to them as your friends are to you, maybe more so) and going to new schools of which they know nothing.
For this reason, it would be better to move with your children during the school year than it would be during the summer break. Although the new kid in school may feel shy at first, they have a built-in society, school activities and peers, their most vital concern.
You may even want to take the kids along when you visit your prospective new location. If you can't take all your kids, try to take at least one who can be the spokesman when you return. His/her siblings will most likely believe that he/she is telling the truth more than they believe you.
Be positive. Moving with your children should be an adventure. Although moving may be good or bad, you at least have a say in the matter; they don't. Give them a break, don't lay more anxiety on them.
Every new location has something positive about it, so emphasize that or those features and downplay the negatives. Don't deny the undesirable aspects, admit to them but talk about the good stuff. Try to think what you would like to hear if you were a child. Think with your heart instead of your head.
The younger the child, the easier the transition will be. Just keep the feeding and changing routine for the infant and they will be fine, whereas your teenagers are going to be unhappy no matter what you do. Get them involved in the move, in the discussions, and in the decision making. Recognize them as people, but they must recognize you as authority. It does not have to be equal responsibility to still be fair.
Do a walk-through with your younger kids the first day of school. Visit all their classrooms, see their cafeteria and their shops, so you can respond when they come home with their tales of woe. Be sure they know you are all in this together.
Encourage your children to bring their new friends over as they meet them and assist them in staying in contact with some of their previous friends. In other words, be good parents. One role of a good parent might be to plan family outings in your new environment so all of you can explore together.
