Are you planning a household move with your family? If so, you’re not alone, as 14% of Americans move to a new home every year.
Moving can be chaotic and stressful, especially if you have kids. For starters, your children are leaving behind their friends and perhaps other relatives as well. It’s tough for kids, knowing they are moving out of the home where so many precious memories were made.
For children, it’s a fear of the unknown. So how can you ease their fears and make the move better for them? Keep reading to learn some tips for moving with kids.
1. Get Started ASAP
If your move isn’t for a few months, take advantage of the time and start early. Start acquiring boxes and begin packing now.
You can alleviate last-minute chaos by creating a daily plan on your calendar. Outline the tasks you need to accomplish every day until moving day. Give some of the easier chores to your children.
If you don’t have much time before the move, create a plan of action, including the best moving and packing shortcuts. And make arrangements with your moving company right away, before they are booked up.
If you’re going the DIY route, enlist your children and friends to help you pack.
Most importantly, talk to your children to prepare them for what is about to happen. Let them know you can use their help.
2. Include Your Kids
As soon as you know you are moving, it’s time to include your kids in the moving process.
Start by getting them excited about the new home, especially their new room. Make it fun by letting them design it.
Inexpensive ideas include: painting the room the color of their choice or adding a colorful bean bag chair or kid-size couch. You can also put up a wall decal of their favorite athlete, cartoon character, or movie hero.
3. Visit the New Neighborhood
It’s tough leaving behind the people and places you love. Ease the transition by showing your child their new home, school, and other local amenities. Revealing the unknown to your child makes the process less scary for them.
If your move is long-distance, let your children see pictures of the home from the real estate listings. Use Google Maps to “tour” their street, school, community center, and local fun spots for kids. YouTube videos can also give your child a preview of their future hometown.
4. Pack a Moving Bag
Here are a couple of things to be mindful of on moving day.
First, make sure your children have their own essentials that they don’t want to be without. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack a special bag for each child with their favorite comfort items, like their favorite blanket, stuffed animals, and their go-to toys.
They won’t want to be without these items during a stressful move, especially if it’s going to be a few days or longer until you can unpack your boxes in the new home.
5. Keep Kids Safe and Busy on the Big Day
Provide a safe environment for your children on moving day. If possible, make arrangements for them to stay with a neighbor or relative on the big day. Or set up a safe room within your house. Here they can stay and play out of the way of the movers.
Make sure they have plenty of things to do to keep them busy throughout the day. Things like coloring books and crayons, puzzles, books, and a laptop with some favorite games or movies should keep them occupied.
Moving With Kids
Relocating is challenging, particularly if you are moving with kids. By including your children in this life-changing event, you empower them and make them feel important.
It’s especially important to keep your children’s feelings and anxieties in mind. They are not as emotionally mature as adults to handle some of the stress and chaos of a move.
Are you making plans to move? Contact us for a free quote. We can help make your move with kids stress-free.
