Since February 24, 2022, millions of Ukrainians have been forced to change their place of residence for their own safety. This is a huge stress not only for adults, but also for children, who find it difficult to comprehend new realities due to their hypersensitivity. In such moments, parents should support their children and show them all their love and care. The charitable foundation “Pryame Vklyuchennya” will provide guidance on the rules to follow for a quicker adaptation of children to their new environment.

Be honest

Do not deceive your child by saying that you are going on a trip or visiting someone for a few days. In such a case, they will wait for the promised date to return home and will be disappointed when they find out the truth. It's better to say that you will be able to come back as soon as it's safe. Share your emotions and talk about how scared and unfamiliar you also feel in the new place. Finally, pay attention to the things that surrounded you at home: shops, parks, similar buildings, and streets, etc.

Remember that you don't have to know all the answers to all the questions your child asks, so if this happens, be honest and say, "I don't know, but I'm also very curious! Let's find out together?"

Accept all emotions

A child's reaction to moving can vary from frustration to silent sadness. Don't make her feel ashamed of their tears or hide their emotions. Let the child get used to the new life and environment through the prism of their own feelings. If they need to express themselves, listen carefully and give them a hug. The main thing during the adaptation period is to do everything together. Don't perceive the temporary relocation as a pause in life. It is better to create warm memories: prepare breakfast together, feed the birds near the house, plant flower seeds in a pot, and so on. The difficult period will definitely come to an end, but the memories of the time spent with your parents will remain forever.

Leave the past in memories

When you find yourself in a new city or even country, you will always compare everyday things to those that surrounded you at home. But don't keep living in the past. Perceive everything new as an interesting experience that also has a place in your life, and teach this to your child. Otherwise, there is a high likelihood of developing depression and other mental disorders.

It is necessary to talk about the war

It is essential to tell children about the war, but it is equally important to do it in the right way. Choose the format according to the age: for preschoolers, select a fairy tale where good always triumphs over evil. For older children, you can describe the situation in more detail, skipping the parts about atrocities and violence. Answer all the children's questions about the war, without ignoring them. Show interest in their feelings during the conversation and their reactions to what they hear. It's important to ensure that the new information was not traumatizing and was delivered correctly.

The charitable foundation “Pryame Vklyuchennya” also reminds you that children take cues from their parents, so their ability to adapt quickly to the new environment depends on your own adaptability.