How do I explain to my 6 year old that we have to move?

Question

Our business is failing and I'm trying to figur out how to explain to our 6 year old that we have to sell our house that we just moved into in December.

Answer 1

I grew up as an army brat. We had to move to places like Saudi Arabia and South Korea as a kid. That is more traumatic than moving to Main Street, USA. The kid is six years old. He probably can't even understand the concept yet. Even so, kids are very resilient. Every time we moved as a kid, it was sad to leave, however, that was quickly replaced as soon as we got to our new destination. Theres the new home, new freinds, new school. The excitement will take over, and the kid will have no regrets. It sounds like it will be much harder for you to make the adjustment than it will for the kid.

Answer 2

Moving is so difficult. My husband is in the Navy, and we have three children. We have been married for ten years now, and have moved 11 times in that ten year period. So I can appreciate the distress that you must feel right now. It is hard to readjust when it is just you, but when kids are involved, much more difficult. I suggest you keep it as simple as possible. Sit him down (you and dad) and tell him that while you would really like to keep the house, sometimes, adult situations make it hard because we have to make adult decisions. Whatever you do, I cannot stress enough how important it is that you DO NOT tell your child that there are any reasons that revolve around them that you have decided that this is the best decision.. Not only are our children aware of our stresses and the daily struggles that we have, but you do not want them to feel as if they somehow made it that you had to move. And, I know that you feel a great guilt right now, but I have to tell you that owning your own business is one of the toughest jobs out there to do. There isn't a very high success rate, which is why mom and pop organizations aren't around very much anymore. Unless you have a big corporate giant (or a whole lot of money) at your door, there is just no way to survive. I don't want to be nosy, but there are Mortgage insurances that help pay for situations like these (where there is lack of income, my mom and dad are both out of work and theirs has been paying for two years now, along with other things) or Aflack, or anything like that? I am sure you have thought of everything, sometimes, we just overlook things that are right in front of us when we are in distress. Just take a deep breath, things will work out, and I am sure that your little one will be more understanding and comprehend the situation better than you think. Sometimes, childrens worlds are much more black and white than our own. Good luck, God bless, and I will say a prayer for your family.

Answer 3

IF you are moving out of town (or to another state for that matter) try using the internet to bridge the gap. Sit down with your child and search on the city(s) around the area you are going. Try and find interesting things about the town that gets the child excited (skate park, baseball stadium, arcade...) Once you find that the child is really interested in the place, you come back the next day and tell him/her that you are thinking about moving there. This helps them feel as though they are part of the decision making process.

IF you are NOT moving out of town (or changing schools) then I don't see the need to fully explain the move - it's a moot point. Tell the child you're moving, but why stress out about it? Kids, with enough love and support, can bounce back from just about anything. It's the preconceived notion that they CAN'T is what sends them into the downward spiral of anxiety and lack of self-esteem. Kids are ALOT tougher than we think, it's just that in today's society we don't think they are.

Answer 4

Say:"(childs name here) Let's go on an exciting journey to find a new house. We need to move again. I'm sorry honey, But you can make more new friends! All the friends you have will be your friends forever! Would you like to help pick the house?" Say all this cheerfully and with a smile and your 6 year old will feel better.

Answer 5

Start by telling them the truth - when I was about 10 my parents told my sister and I we had to move and said we might be able to have horses in our yard - this was highly possible as I grew up owning horses that we had to travel to see all the time so the thought of having them in our own paddocks was thrilling - however my parents never looked at country properietes they just looked at suburban houses so we were left disappointed.

Answer 6

It's only so much you can tell a child they brain can deal with almost anything that they wanna hear it's not that hard, really my opinion is that you don't tell your six year old for what, what can they do get a job??? Nope don't think so they would still turn to you and it's more on your brains...

Answer 7

The truth is children sometimes enjoy moving, its not all that hard.. keep a child in a child place. you don't have to explain it, that is grown folks business, just share that fact that you're relocating somewhere new..

Answer 8

Just be honest with your child. They would prefer the truth, and you will be respected for it. They dont need to know the whole legal things, just a basic answer is sufficient. hope that helps! good luck with your move.

Answer 9

Make it seem like an exciting adventure. Let him help you pick out a new place to live. Keep everything upbeat & positive.

Answer 10

You have to tell him the absolute truth. Kids can pick up on when parents aren't telling them the truth.