With a little planning and some patience, you can help your children get ready for the big move.
Few people list packing up all their belongings and moving as a favorite pastime. And when you toss kids into the mix, the stress can creep up quickly for the entire family. Studies have shown that moving can also impact children’s mental health, especially if they have to leave friends behind to attend a new school. Here are 10 tips to tackle potential challenges when moving with kids so relocating will be as smooth as possible.
1. Talk to your kids about the move
Prepare young children early by sharing plenty of details about the upcoming move, including where and when you’re moving. Be sure to mention things that will stay the same — their bed and toys are coming to the new place — and some of the exciting changes coming up, such as a bigger yard or a swimming pool in the new complex.
They’ll have lots of questions, so make time to answer them and encourage kids to share their feelings about leaving their friends and school behind.
2. Take the children to visit your new community
Showing your kids around the new neighborhood by visiting a nearby park, their new school and fun things like the local ice cream shop can help ease anxiety and allow them to make positive associations with the upcoming move.
Moving a long distance? Give them a video house tour, pull up some photos online and walk virtually through your new community using Google Maps. This way, everything will feel familiar when you finally move in.
3. Create a detailed moving-week plan
Keeping your family’s home and school routine stable while getting ready to move can feel overwhelming. A detailed packing and moving plan can help reduce stress. Sit down with your children and write down what everyone has to do during moving week.
Cook some meals to put in the freezer because you’ll be getting busier and busier as the big day approaches. Draw up a detailed schedule for moving day that includes transportation and meals.
4. Start packing way earlier than you think you need to
Maybe it took just a few hours to toss all your belongings into boxes when you were in college, but moving with kids means juggling many more moving parts. Since it takes twice as long to get everyone out the door every morning, it’s safe to assume the same will be true when it comes to packing up an entire apartment or house.
To become a packing ninja, start by sorting items into three categories: Keep, toss and sell or donate. Purge belongings now, not after you move — this will save you lots of time and packing materials. Anything that’s broken or no longer used doesn’t need to come with you.
Set up boxes labeled with color-coded duct tape for your kids so they can feel involved in the process and make a game out of it: the first child to fill up a donation box wins a small prize.
Assign one color per family member and other rooms in the apartment for all your Keep boxes, which will make the move easier when it’s time to unload and unpack boxes at the new place.
5. If you have babies or toddlers, work smarter not harder
Parents with very young kids have even more to manage, so you’ll need lots of help. If you can’t get your packing done during nap time or while your toddler’s at pre-school, call on grandparents or hire a sitter so you can concentrate on the move.
Pack up your child’s bedroom last, and leave one box of toys out until the moving trucks arrive so your child has something to play with while you’re taking care of last-minute tasks.
6. Help your kids see the move as a great adventure
Plan things your children can look forward to at their new home. Purchase a new piece of furniture for their room or new toys they can play with on moving day. Let them choose the paint color for their new room. Offer to get take-out pizza or another special treat they’ll enjoy.
7. Take photos and videos of your old home
Most kids — and adults — have a hard time leaving a home where they’ve had many happy memories. Snap lots of photos and take videos of the house before you leave. Make time to walk through the house room by room so everyone can say thank you and goodbye before moving to a new place. Encourage your children to make scrapbooks or draw pictures of their best memories.
8. Make safety a priority on moving day
Because things will be hectic during the actual move — your front door will be open while movers carry heavy items back and forth — infants and toddlers are best left at Grandma’s house for the day. Keep older kids busy with books or movies, so they’re safely out of harm’s way.
Once the movers have delivered your belongings, make sure box-cutters or scissors are out of reach of little hands, and that you store cleaning supplies away.
9. Set up the kids’ rooms first
Unpack your children’s bedding, toys and books first when you arrive at the new place. They’ll be happy to sleep in familiar sheets with all their things around them, which will make settling in much easier. Keep mealtime, bath time and bedtime routines consistent, so your child feels comfortable.
10. Keep a positive attitude
Moving with kids and setting up a new home involves lots of work, and the whole family might feel overwhelmed by all the chaos. Because children pick up on your moods, try to stay calm and patient as the whole family adjusts to life in a new place. Make a point to meet your new neighbors, especially ones with children the same ages as yours.
Treat the move as a teachable moment
Kids can learn important life lessons from moving, such as how to deal with change and embrace new challenges. If you create a calm environment, your mindset will rub off on your child, resulting in a successful relocation.
Source: rent.com