Moving alone can be stressful enough, but moving with children in tow? Another ball game of chaos ensues.
Moving with kids is less chaotic if you’re involving them early by discussing plans and making sure to plan to cover every aspect of the move. Here are some tips to keep in mind when moving with kids:
Preparation and Emotional Support
When it comes to moving house with kids, the preparation and emotional support are something you want to tackle first.
Discuss the move early on and let your children voice their concerns so that you can manage their fears. After all, they may be young enough to feel as though moving house is like taking them away from their safe space.
Some children may also wish to challenge the move or the idea of moving house, which might ultimately impact your decision on moving.
It’s good to create rituals when you’re leaving the old home, whether it’s taking photos, hosting a farewell party or doing something as simple as saying goodbye to your old rooms. You must also be patient if young children are showing signs of stress.
This can be interrupted sleep or potty training accidents. Chances are, these things are happening because of the impending move.
Making Packing Fun and Involving
You can make moving fun for your kids by giving them some control over their own packing. Let kids decorate their boxes and decide what they want to keep, throw away or donate. Turn it into a game and make it a packing contest that they’ll have fun with, rather than see as a chore.
It’s also beneficial to use this time to take pictures of the old house and neighbourhood so that you can make a book they can keep to look back on, especially if and when they may be missing the old home in the future.
Moving Day Management
When the moving day comes around, you want to be well organised, running the day like a well-oiled machine.
Keep a dedicated box with familiar items and essentials to provide that immediate comfort for your little ones. That could be stuffed animals, bedding and their favourite pyjamas. All of this is going to help them settle into the new home.
If you’re not keen on getting them involved with the actual day of the move, then it’s good to lean on your support networks where they’re available. Consider asking friends or/and/or family to watch the children on the day in order to build up the excitement for them to come to the new home when it’s relatively unpacked.
Having them come away from the old house and see the new house with some of the familiar items of furniture set up and unpacked will make a big difference to how they feel about the new home.
You must make your kids feel as safe as possible when moving and getting into the new home. Setting up a safe play area is important in the new house while you unpack. This can end up reducing a lot of the stress that comes with moving and unpacking in general.
After the Move
Unpack your children’s rooms first so that you create a secure and comfortable space for your little ones. The same goes for any playrooms or spaces you may have in the home to ensure they’re set up and have places to play while you unpack.
Explore the local area together so that your children can get familiar with the new area in which the home is situated. Finally, make sure to stay connected with friendships from their old home where possible.
Tips To Stay In Control When Moving House
To stay in control when moving house, you’ll want to create a detailed checklist so that everything is covered and you’re not forgetting about anything in the process. From the conveyancing to the ordering of packaging to pack all your belongings together, everything should be written down.
Declutter ruthlessly when it comes to getting rid of things that you and your household no longer use or need. Hire professionals for heavy items and label boxes on the top and side with both room and contents so that you can navigate putting them in the right places in the new home.
In general, it’s good to take a bit of rest time here and there throughout the timeline so that you’re not burning yourself out.
