Whether you are moving across the street or across the country, moving with kids can be stressful on both you and them! Luckily, the move doesn’t have to be painful for anyone!
Check out our tips for moving with kids, and make your relocation a breeze!
Tips For Moving With Kids
Nobody likes saying goodbye – not to their friends and not to the house they know and love. Moving can be especially hard for children who may not fully understand the reasons why you are moving or the reasons why the move will be better for them in the long run.
Tip #1: Talk To Them
As soon as the move is a definite go, share the news with your kids. Make them feel apart of everything, and openly discuss the new and exciting changes about to happen.
Reassure your children that all of their possessions, books, toys etc., will all be coming with them, and share all of the fun and wonderful changes about to happen.
Tip #2: Get to Know Your New House
If the house is nearby, get your kids excited by going to see it. Let them see their rooms and have them plan out how they want to decorate. A trip to Home Depot to pick out paint swatches is a fun way to make them feel involved. You could even draw out the room and let them decide how they want their furniture arranged.
If you’re moving further away, show them lots of pictures and use google to learn all about the area. Find the closest park and make plans to visit it once you move.
Tip #3: Let Them Help With Packing
Make sure younger kids know that their stuff is being packed up and moved and not being thrown away. Older kids might understand the process, but it may be more difficult for little ones to grasp. Don’t box up that one special stuffie or blanket your little one sleeps with every night. Especially during a move, having their security item taken away (even if just for a few hours) could be traumatic.
Let them help pack up their toys and then have them decorate their boxes so they will be easily recognizable after the move. As much as possible, try to get their items and room set up first, even if it means ordering pizza and keeping your kitchen in boxes for a couple days.
Having that sense of familiarity will help keep their anxiety down.
Tip #4: Get to Know The Neighbors and the New Area
As soon as possible, become a part of your new community. Introduce yourself to the neighbors. Invite people on your street over for a house warming party. Take cookies – even store bought – to your immediate neighbors.
Participate in local activities that will allow both you and your kids to make new friends. If your child is on the shy side, talk to them about making new friends and help them think of ways to break the ice with the kids at their new school or at the park.
Tip #5: Keep Your Routines
Do you always get ice cream on Saturday afternoons? Or maybe you spend Sunday mornings at the park? Whatever routines you can keep, you should continue them without interruption.
Try to remain consistent with meal times and bedtimes. Keeping kids in their routine will help keep them calm and will help you feel a sense of order.
Always remember, while moving might be hard on you, it might be even harder on your kids. As much as possible, stay positive with them and make the whole process a grand adventure. Make the process fun and memorable and as stress-free for them as possible. (It will help you feel more relaxed too!)