As parents, your task is simply to allow youngsters the opportunity to express their feelings openly without having to justify or defend them.

Children's reactions to a move will vary by age. Generally, the older the child, the harder the move. While teens’ concerns center around breaking ties with peers, athletic teams and jobs, elementary-aged children worry about whom they will eat lunch with and if they will like their teacher. Preschoolers tend to miss certain places such as a favorite park or playhouse, and infants and toddlers simply are confused by the change in surroundings.

Regardless of age, it is likely a child will experience anger, frustration, loneliness and sadness, along with nervousness about what to expect in a new community and school.