If you are planning to move house with young children, you may be wondering how to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Moving can be a stressful experience, and adding young children to the mix can make it even more challenging if not more complicated. Children may struggle with change and the thought of moving to a new home can be overwhelming and stressful not just for adults.
However, by taking the time to prepare your children, addressing their concerns, and listening to what they have to say while encouraging them to view the move as an adventure, you can help them navigate the process with confidence and ease.
In this article, we give you 10 top tips on how to help children cope with moving home with children!
How to move with children tips for 2023
#1 Prepare Your Children Or What To Expect On Moving Day
It’s entirely possible that young children may not fully comprehend the concept of “moving.” – To be fair, why would they?
To help them understand, it’s best to explain to them exactly what the moving process entails. This includes letting them know that a moving company may be involved, that there will be lots of moving boxes around and that furniture may be moved around.
You can also read books, magazines or even use interesting online articles about moving such as this one on Sydney moving trends by ZOOM Removals to give them a better understanding on what to expect.
Finally, it also helps to visit the new property with your children well in advance if possible so they can also familiarise themselves with the area, it also allows you to generate more positive vibes before the actual move takes place.
#2 Take Your Children’s Concerns Seriously
Older children are likely to have many more questions and concerns about the move. It’s important to show them that you understand by listening to their feelings, even if their requests are not realistic. One of the more common concerns that older children have is the fact that they will be leaving their best friends behind.
In this case, it’s always best to reassure them that they can stay in contact with their friends through tools such as Zoom, WhatsApp or Skype and that they can always go visit their friends during the holidays if they want to.
To summarise, reassuring your children before the move can go a long way in helping to ease their anxiety about moving away from friends.
#3 Let Your Children Get Involved With The Moving Process
Allowing your children to get involved with the relocation with things such as packing can be a great way to involve them in the moving process. Even young children can help by sorting their toys or wrapping objects in tissue paper or bubble wrap.
As a pro tip, if you plan on storing some belongings, it’s a good idea to ask your children what items they would like to keep with them and what they’re okay with being stored away for a while.
By involving your children in the move, they will feel more invested in the move and might even start looking forward to it.
#4 Take Advantage Of The School Holidays
If you have the flexibility to choose when you move, it’s always best to aim for a period when your child’s life is not busy.
School holidays are an ideal time to consider moving, but do bear in mind that all other parents may have the same idea.
Moving during the school holidays is a great time to relocate with kids, as this provides a certain degree of familiarity when they’re off school, the holidays can also provide you with valuable time to pack and unpack without interruptions.
You can normally find school holiday dates online such as this example by the NSW government website.
#5 Know Exactly Where Your Kids Belongings Are
Just like with any relocation, you may need to find imported items quickly. This is just the same for kids and there will be a day when you may need to give your kids the toys that they absolutely ‘have’ to play with, especially with younger kids.
For this reason and as a pro tip, when packing your kid’s belongings away before the move, be sure to include as much detail as possible on the moving boxes so that your kid’s special toys can be found easily with no hassle.
#6 Don’t Rush The Job
When small children are involved, doing any task can be a challenge, and that goes double for moving.
The key thing when moving with children is to give yourself plenty of time to plan your move, and to resist the urge to rush into unpacking where you stand the chance of losing items.
If you begin pulling everything out of boxes too quickly, you’ll end up with cluttered piles of belongings scattered around the house, which can create unnecessary stress for everyone.
It is far better to take your time to unpack things gradually, prioritising what he needs to take out first. This will reduce the amount of stress once you have made the move.
#7 Make A Big Fuss About All The Exciting New Things After Moving
Disrupting your life and your child’s routine, moving can be a chaotic experience.
However, you can turn this transition into a fun adventure for your children by granting them special privileges and treats on moving day.
Consider creating a treasure map for your kids to follow, with an “X” marking the spot. This will not only make moving day more exciting but also help your children get acquainted with their new neighbourhood.
Final Thoughts
Moving house can be a major change for children and it’s natural for them to find it challenging to adapt. But with proper preparation, attentive listening, and framing the move as an exciting adventure, you can help your child navigate this transition successfully.
By doing so, you increase the likelihood that they’ll adjust to the change with ease and thrive in their new surroundings.For more moving articles.
