If you are planning a family move, you have plenty on your mind. There's moving estimates, relocation checklists, selling a house, packing and more. It might get easy to forget that, to your children--no matter what their ages--moving can be scary, sad and traumatic. Young children will especially sense the difference in the amount of time you have to spend with them, and teenagers are vulnerable to moving adjustment problems because they are likely leaving close friends and are in the process of establishing their own identities.

However, if you show excitement about the move, it will help your kids get excited about it, too. Give kids time to express their feelings in a family meeting. Also, give kids some decision-making power. They can choose the color of their new room, help decide which house they like better, pick the type of going-away party they want to have, create a memory keepsake book and decide which toys they will have close at hand during the move.

Keeping a family calendar complete with moving deadlines will help younger children cope with an upcoming move. Getting a map of your new area and plotting out some fun things to do will give kids a tangible way to see that their new environment will be an adventure.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for professional help if relocating children has become too difficult to handle on your own. Watch your children closely for signs that they are not adjusting, and talk to new teachers to establish a relationship with them.