As an adult, moving can be stressful. The situation is no different when you have kids; they, too, feel the exhaustion and anxiety of making life changes.
Your children were probably born where you currently are, meaning they’ve started school and made friends and memories in the same area. Moving them can easily disrupt their experience of these things, even affecting them emotionally in the long term. That’s why you must prepare them.
If you do it right, your kids will understand your situation better and even lend a hand with moving some of the stuff.
So, how do you do it?
Here’s a list of tips to make moving with your kids easier.
- Find A Reliable Moving Company
You’ll face a ton of pressure for making a big jump like this with your kids. Doing it alone will only add more. Save yourself and your family from all the hassle by working with a reliable moving company.
Movers can make the whole moving process smooth with their professional crews, tools, and vehicles. You can look up companies online that have experience helping people with kids move houses. Compare service packages and prices to stay within your moving budget.
If you’re not sure what to look for in a reliable moving company, you can follow this link to find people who can get the job done. The ideal one should cover everything you need to move your stuff to a different place quickly and safely. They should also help disassemble large pieces of furniture and reassemble them when needed. Also, they can help pack all your essentials in marked boxes, so you always know where everything is.
- Talk To The Kids About The Move
As mentioned earlier, kids are conscious of the things happening in their surroundings, whether they’re toddlers, preschoolers, or teenagers. Each one will react to the news in their own way depending on how they perceive it.
For instance, if you have toddlers, they may not instantly comprehend the changes unless you feel stressed, which they can pick up on. All you can do is maintain their routine, and they’ll be okay.
If you have preschoolers, they’ve already gotten used to the familiar faces at home, in the neighborhood, and at school. Losing them to move someplace else will be upsetting for some. Knowing this, inform them about the move in the simplest way possible. Avoid dramatics; describe what they should expect clearly and charitably. You can even use pictures and videos to explain what’s going on.
If you have a teen who has been setting down roots in the community, the thought of leaving can be extremely daunting. They may have an attitude about it, but you shouldn’t respond harshly to how they process their anxiety and grief. Instead, converse with them. Let them talk about why they wouldn’t want to move and why they may not share your reasons. If possible, give them as much time as they want to reflect on the matter. Encourage them to find closure with their feelings, maybe even take them around the block to have a proper farewell to the place they’ve known for so long.
Be transparent about the reasons. Tell your kids you’re moving because you’ve got a new job, your family situation isn’t that great anymore, you’ve found a better school for them, or you’ve got a bigger house that could serve your needs for a long time. After you tell them your reasons, let them know what to expect when they get to the new location. They can look up the area online to learn more about the place, relieving some of their misgivings and making them more accepting of the move.
All in all, give your kids adequate time to comprehend what’s happening so they can adjust to the change.
- Allow Your Kids To Say Goodbye
This one follows a thought in the previous point. Give your children ample time for a proper goodbye to their neighbors and friends. It’s a good practice, especially for school-going kids.
You can organize a party and invite their friends over, so they can hang out and play before leaving. Or, you can let them visit the park with their favorite food joint. If your teenager has a phone, encourage them to collect their friend’s numbers.
Of course, let everyone know that you can stop by from time to time. Just because you won’t be seeing each other for a long while doesn’t mean you can never meet again.
- Check Out The New Home
You can drive your kids to the new place they’ll be living in on the weekends. This lets them take a look at their new surroundings, schools, and neighbors. At the same time, it helps them familiarize the place and get interested in being there.
On that note, don’t forget to take your kids to unique places within the new neighborhood. Perhaps you can take your kids to the nearest park, mall, skating rink, or ice cream shop. This can get them excited at the thought of being there for a long time.
- Include The Kids In The Move
If they’re interested, allow your kids to take part in the move itself.
First, you can invite them to help pick the right home location. Second, ask them what they would want in a new home. Let them talk about décor, furnishings, colors for the walls, and the like. You can then compare their expectations with yours and see how everything fits.
Lastly, your kids can help pack boxes with their personal stuff during the move. This way, they feel they’re in charge of something, relieving the worries they may have about moving to a new place.
- Always Pack Their Toys
Each one of us probably remembers having a favorite doll or teddy bear. Your own kids will surely have theirs. It’s natural for them as it was for us to rely on these things for comfort.
So, make sure you pack them in an easy-to-reach place, like a bag or a special box by the driver’s seat.
- Mark Their Belongings Clearly
Your kids may get frustrated if their stuff gets mixed up in all the boxes. And you wouldn’t want to unpack everything to find what they want.
Save time by labeling the boxes with your kids’ names beforehand. This way, they can easily open their own packages and retrieve their items whenever they want. It can also save you time from unpacking all the boxes at once.
If you have a toddler, set aside a special box for essentials like wipes, food, toys, diapers, or extra clothes they may need during the move.
- Get A Babysitter During The Move
Moving day means having a lot of things to handle.
For this reason, you might want to hire a babysitter to look after your toddler while you focus on moving. They should be able to keep them safe as the movers come in with their equipment. Furthermore, they can ensure your little one’s routines continue without a fuss while the professionals get to work.
You can also have your kid stay at your friend’s house if they’re willing to watch them for a while.
- Stay Optimistic
Moving can be overwhelming even to you as an adult. The thing is that your kids may also feel the same way and turn to you for assurance.
As much as possible, don’t unload your feelings on them. They deserve to feel safe during this transition, just as you deserve to handle it at your own pace.
Don’t worry. Once you hire a reliable moving company, you can take a backseat and relax as you watch them do their job.
- Avoid Moving During The School Term
Changing schools within the term can significantly affect your kids’ performance and mental health. After all, they will need a lot of time before they can settle in and continue their studies in a new place.
So, check the school calendar before you plan your move. Consider doing it during term breaks. This way, by the time the school year begins, your child will have already adjusted to their new surroundings.
- Load Their Bedroom Last And Unpack It First
Your kids can appreciate having somewhere to relax amid the hustle and bustle of moving. Therefore, you can pack up their rooms last. This way, they can feel they still have their space, especially if they’re teenagers. Then, when you get to the new house, prioritize organizing their room first to settle them as quickly as possible.
Make The Move Easy For You And Them
As mentioned before, moving homes with kids is a rocky road forward. That’s why you need to prepare them adequately. If they’re at a speaking age, have a conversation with them about the upcoming move and its reasons. Otherwise, make the transition as safe for them as possible.
Even though it’s difficult at first, your kids will soon accept the change and even help out.
Of course, you should always get helping hands when you can. Start searching for reliable moving companies today.
