When the power is restored or a home is finally rebuilt after a disaster, moving back home is usually anticipated with hope and excitement. At last after staying in a shelter, hotel or with family and friends families look forward to getting back to a normal routine. Children may be excited and eager to move out of crowded temporary quarters, to have a room of their own again, to be back in their old neighborhood, and to see familiar friends and places.

In addition to the excitement, however, it is not unusual when moving into the home for children and their families to have a reawakening of memories of the disaster or stressful reactions similar to those experienced after the disaster. This is understandable when you consider that the home that was lost was not only a house, but also the place that symbolized safety and security. Moving back home may be a reminder of the need to evacuate and possibly resulting destruction.