Children can feel scared, sad or uncomfortable during a move. They didn’t make the decision to move and often feel like they’re being left behind.
It’s important to let kids process any emotions they may have during a move. Here are 6 ways to make moving easier for your family: 1. Keep kids busy. Get all the important tasks like home warranties and financial budgets in order. For more information on home warranties, sites like https://www.cinchhomeservices.com/faq-library/-/faq/what-does-a-home-warranty-cover have a lot of resourceful information. This will give parents time to be with their kids.
1. Make it a game
Young kids can idealize their old house or neighborhood and become sad about moving, while teenagers may become moody about it. Let them talk about their feelings, says Boston-based parenting coach Amy Brinn.
Keep your kids on a consistent routine as much as possible during the move, including bedtimes and meal times. This will help ease their transition and avert meltdowns.
Encourage your kids to discover your new town by visiting local hangouts and playgrounds. If possible, take them on a trip back to your old home weeks or months after the move. This will help them say goodbye to friends and family in a familiar way.
2. Make it fun
While a little bit of bribery can help get the job done, make sure it’s something your kids will enjoy. It could be as simple as letting them choose new items for their rooms or even their new home.
Depending on your child’s personality, they may or may not adjust well to change. It’s important to keep their routine intact as much as possible – meal times, bedtime, and family time should all remain consistent.
Play some upbeat music during the packing process and let everyone dance as they load up the boxes. This will also lift everyone’s spirits and make the day feel less like a chore.
3. Make it early
When the big day comes, it will be easier on everyone if you’ve been working with your kids on a checklist throughout the weeks leading up to the move. This can include things like doing a home inventory and creating a moving timeline.
For younger children, this might mean reading books about characters who are going through a similar experience as your children. This can help quell their anxieties and make them feel more involved with the decision to move.
For older children, this might include researching things they can see and do in their new town. This can help them feel less anxious about leaving behind friends and familiarity.
4. Make it last
A move is hard on kids, especially when they feel like they’re being dragged from one place to another. It’s important to involve them as much as possible.
On the night before the big move, tuck everyday essentials (a change of clothes, toothbrushes, must-have stuffed animals or toys for the kids and any medications they may need) into a bag or suitcase that you’ll keep with you. This way, if something gets lost in the chaos of moving day, you’ll have a backup plan.
Whether your move is across the street or across the country, host a party to say goodbye to your friends in your old home. This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to express their emotions in a healthy way.
5. Make it easy
Moving is a big deal for families, even when it’s just across town. Kids are used to a certain sense of order and stability and relocating can be a major disruption.
Start by clearing out closets, linen closets and drawers of clothes and household items you don’t use. Toss, donate or recycle what you can and then organize the remaining items for packing.
Label your boxes with their contents and the room they’re going to. This will make the unpacking process much smoother for your family.
If your kids are leaving behind familiar places and people like a favorite babysitter or grandma and grandpa, make sure to plan Skype dates and write letters so that goodbyes don’t feel so final.
6. Make it last
Remind your kids that while it may be difficult to leave friends and familiar comforts behind, there’s also plenty to be excited about in your new home. This can be a good opportunity to teach them about gratitude and the importance of appreciation.
Before you start packing, do a merciless purge of your belongings that won’t be making the move. This will help keep your move streamlined and less stressful.
Make it easy for your children to stay connected with their old friends by setting up video call, or consider a smartphone (if they are old enough). Encourage them to make memories at your moving away party that they can look back on when homesickness strikes.
