Relocating With Kids? Tips for a Stress-Free Family Move
Moving is stressful, but it's especially hard on kids, as it disrupts their routines and separates them from their friends. However, early preparation can mitigate your children's anxiety around the move and ease the transition. Check out some helpful tips below.
Tell Them Early
Sharing early moving details softens the blow and gives your kids adequate time to process the change. Once you decide to relocate, host a family meeting, and let everyone know your moving plans.
The amount of details you share depends on your kids' ages. For instance, a colorful map showing where you are and your new location might excite a kindergartener. However, a teenager often has endless questions you need to answer as patiently as possible. You can also mention things about the new place your child can look forward to, such as a school with interesting clubs or a nearby beach.
Involve Them in Packing and Downsizing
Kids can feel frustrated if they lack control over their environment. By allocating them small projects, they stay in the loop and are often motivated throughout the relocation.
Kids can get involved in various ways, such as downsizing their possessions. For example, keep bright boxes in their rooms and let them sort what they want to keep and discard. If they have outgrown toys and clothes, get them excited about donating these objects to other children.
Smaller kids often love decorating boxes, and you can urge them to draw different items or write fun text. Involve older kids in packing and decluttering, and let them put together essentials to simplify the unpacking process.
Pack Their Rooms Last and Unpack Them First
Try and keep your children's environments as familiar as possible in the old and new homes. An easy way to achieve this goal is to unpack their rooms last and as close to moving day as possible. At the new house, unpack the kids' rooms first and furnish the rooms with their favorite bedsheets, toys, and artwork.
Maintain Their Routines
The moving process can get messy and chaotic and disorient your children. Routines add comfort to a child, so maintain practical ones like baths and bedtime at the same time every day. Older children will often appreciate attending after-school activities and seeing their friends until moving day. Moving isn't the time for big changes like moving a toddler from your bed or the crib to their own bed.
Do a Site Visit If Possible
Children are often more receptive to moving if they know what to expect. So, visit the new neighborhood and let them see their new school, parks, museums, and other amenities. If a visit is impractical, buy a city guidebook and show them videos and images of the new house. Let them choose rooms and plan decorations like paint color, lighting fixtures, and furniture.
Arrange for a Babysitter
The activities of moving day overwhelm parents, and young children often need to be away from the chaos to lessen the burden. Organize child care before or ask your friends, family, or neighbors to help. If your children are independent, leave them in a sectioned-off area with tablets, coloring books, toys, or art projects.
Host a Goodbye Party
A going-away party gives kids time to connect, say goodbye, and make plans to contact friends, family, and neighbors. Leaving a familiar community behind is among the things that make children anxious about relocations, so don't uproot them from their current home abruptly. At the new house, explore ways to keep in contact with old pals like playing online games, sending letters, and making calls.
The most important tip for a seamless family move is to select family-friendly movers at Door to Door Movers & Apartment Movers. Our seasoned movers handle all aspects of your relocation, so you can focus on helping your kids’ transition to the new environment. Contact us today for family-friendly quotes.
