4 Ways to Help a Friend who is Moving
Whether you are helping a friend who is transitioning to a new community or see a stranger moving in next door, there are many times in our lives when we are called upon to help a friend in need. But how do we know the best way to lend a helping hand? Sometimes it’s better to not ask how to help; instead it’s often better to just jump in and do something proactive to be a support to your friend or neighbor. People in stressful situations often find themselves wandering in circles with no clear direction as to what is needed next. Don’t ask – just do!
4 Ways to Help a Friend who is Moving
Provide a meal
When people are under stress, they often don’t take the time to fix meals for the family. Take a minute and assess the situation. Would a few hot pizzas help a family who is unpacking a UHaul truck? If that’s the answer, then remember to bring along some canned drinks, bottles of water and paper plates. They may not have any cups or plates unpacked. Maybe the best answer would be to prepare a lasagna meal so all they have to do is pop it in the oven. Sometimes a home cooked meal can go a long way toward easing the stress of a situation.
For a fun twist on the ‘bring a sandwich’ type meal, maybe you can create a quick tailgating picnic while a family is loading the truck or unpacking boxes. Just plan a typical tailgating meal and then serve it on a pop up table in the driveway. On moving day, two of my aunts showed up in our driveway with everything we needed for a full scale picnic! Thanks Mahala and Karen!
Celebrate the Kids
In stressful situations the adults have to make all the decisions; but the kids are feeling the emotional roller coaster as well. If you see a family moving in the neighborhood with kids, then grab a new jumprope or bottle of bubbles. Drop by the house and welcome them to your neighborhood. It truly is the little things that will make an impression on the kids when their lives are topsy turvy.
Don’t underestimate the small things
Even if you don’t have time to cook a meal, there are still many small things that can make a big impact. Pick up a new potted plant or watermelon and leave it on the new neighbor’s front porch. Drop by on moving day dressed to work. You don’t have to stay the whole time. Sometimes it makes all the difference in the world to have a helper come by who is fresh and ready to work. Borrow a friends car for 15 minutes and go fill up the tank with gas. Think about a little thing that you can do to make your friend’s stressful situation just a bit easier.
Say See ya! Not Goodbye!
When it’s time to make a move, don’t make the situation harder by tearful goodbyes. Just set an open ended invitation to get together for coffee or icecream in a few weeks. If your friends are moving too far away to plan a get together, then make plans to have a facetime, long distance lunch. It’s easier to move away if you already have plans to reconnect after the move.
Moving, relocating and transition – all these experiences are stressful and cause disruption to our normal routine. By taking the time to do something small for our friends when they are in these times, we can make their lives just a bit easier and help them remember that they are not alone.
