Happy parents playing with cute small kids daughters laughing on moving day, family tenants renters homeowners and children girls having fun riding in box in living room relocating new home concept
Getting ready to move into a new home is an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. Shopping for new furniture to fill your home brings back fond memories of that first taste of freedom. However, finding a new school for the kids may leave you worried. Adjustments, especially for kids, can be complex.
Children always thrive in familiarity. From their food to their environment, it takes time for them to get used to something. Hence, preparing your children for the upcoming relocation can be stressful. It involves many factors, such as leaving behind friends and familiar places.
Some won’t be thrilled with moving away, driving them to throw tantrums. Without proper guidance, it can affect them in the long run. Kids who frequently move during childhood are likely to experience mental health issues.
Indeed, considering your kids’ well-being is a must if you want a stress-free relocation. Seek help to prepare them mentally and emotionally before the moving day. Also, give them a chance to say goodbye to their playmates. It’ll help them adjust to their new home.
Meanwhile, don’t exclude your kids from the discussion. It’s best to help them understand what’s going on. It would be wise to treat them as adults in situations like this. Here are six tips to help you ensure the success of your relocation as you move with your children:
- Outsource A Professional Mover
Moving alone is already stressful enough as you might forget your belongings. Now, what happens if you do it with kids? It can be overwhelming as it poses many safety threats. For instance, they might run around and trip over packing boxes.
As such, it’s essential to ensure the moving process is safe. You can get help by outsourcing professional movers like thebigboymovers.com or similar ones. They can help you pack and transport all your belongings safely to your new home. Instead of worrying about the move, you can attend to your children while the professionals handle your moving needs.
- Talk To Your Children About The Relocation
After booking a schedule with a moving company, it’s time to talk to your children about the upcoming relocation. Explain why you’re moving and what they can expect in their new home. You can also discuss why you’re moving and other questions they may have.
For example, your child might ask about the school they’ll attend or the neighborhood where they’ll live. Conversation with your kids will help them understand why they shouldn’t worry about the changes in their routine. The idea might excite them since it involves a new school to explore and new friends to meet.
- Explore The Neighborhood Together
Give your children something to look forward to in the new neighborhood. For instance, you may pass by their new school, go around the city, and visit the nearest recreational spots. You can also check out the local library, grocery store, and parks.
Familiarizing them with their new environment can help them acclimatize to their new home faster. Also, it can reassure your kids that an exciting new beginning is ahead. In other words, you help them get excited about the move rather than fearing it.
Happy African American young family bought new house. Mom, Dad, and child smiling happy hold cardboard boxes for move object walking into big modern home. New real estate dwelling, loan and mortgage.
- Pack Ahead Of Time
After touring your new city, you may pack to stay organized while moving. It’ll give you time to sort out the necessary items for the move. It could be chaotic to rush around on a moving day and look for specific items while the movers wait outside.
The following are tips for a seamless packing process:
- Keep Their Favorite Belongings: Packing the belongings in your house can be uncomfortable for children. They may not be able to sleep at night or even eat well during this time. Hence, allow them to keep some of their favorite possessions, including stuffed animals or toy trucks, to play with while waiting around during packing time. Pack a separate box and fill it with their favorite clothing and bedding. That way, they can be at ease as they move to a new neighborhood.
- Keep Dangerous Objects Out Of Reach: Make sure that any potentially dangerous objects, such as sharp objects and chemicals, are out of reach of young children. You want to avoid untoward incidents that could lead to injuries while packing your belongings.
- Use Proper Packaging: It’s essential to pack fragile items properly so that they don’t get damaged during transit. It’s best to use bubble wrap, kraft paper, and solid boxes when packing breakable items like glasses and China ornaments. Also, make sure you label your packages clearly. This way, you can identify where you place specific items if someone needs them during unpacking.
- Prepare A Toddler Bag: You want your children’s essentials to be within reach during the move. Imagine yourself digging through boxes to find toys or clothes. Hence, pack the essential items in a toddler bag. You can also pack snacks and coloring materials to keep your kids busy while on the road. That way, they won’t get restless or bored during long trips.
If you can pack all items safely, you can prevent damage during transportation. Aside from that, you can refrain from scanning through loads of boxes to look for the essential items for your kids.
- Throw A Going-Away Party
Once everything is ready, you can give your children time to bid farewell to their friends. You can do this a few days before the moving day to make it more memorable. A going-away party doesn’t have to be lavish. You can send a few invitations to their teachers and playmates to come over for some cake and ice cream.
Also, you may ask them to write short letters for your child. Then, you may keep those sweet messages inside a scrapbook, inspiring them when they miss their friends. By the end of the event, you can give your new phone number to encourage them to stay in touch with your kids.
- Give Them Time To Settle
Once you arrive at your new home, you can’t expect your children to jump right into their new routine. It’s best to give them time to settle in and get used to their new environment. It can take a couple of weeks to a few months and differs for each child.
Some may adapt quickly, while others will need more time. Thus, it’s best to allow them to adjust at their own pace rather than forcing or ignoring them.
Here are some tips to help you:
- Keep The Routine Intact: The key to helping your children settle down quickly is adopting the same routine as you did in your previous home. As much as possible, keep things consistent so that it becomes easier for them to adjust. For instance, you can still have regular meals together at six. This gesture can create a sense of predictability as they adapt to their new surroundings with little or no stress involved.
- Stay Connected With Their Loved Ones: As your kids adapt to a new neighborhood, they’ll likely miss their old pals. If their friends and cousins live nearby, you may invite them for play dates. If they live across the country, try setting up video calls at least once a week. That way, they can still stay in touch with your children.
- Let Them Decorate Their Bedrooms: If your child is old enough, give them a chance to pick out their bedroom furniture or decorate the room how they want it. For instance, they can choose their favorite color as their new wall paint. Likewise, you can let them hang their favorite artwork on the wall. It’ll help them feel more comfortable with their new surroundings and make the transition less stressful.
- Be Active In The Community: It’s essential to seek ways to socialize with other families with children of similar age as yours. For example, you can enroll your kids in ballet, art, or sports classes. Doing so gives your children a chance to meet new friends. Also, it creates a sense of belongingness to help them adjust faster to their new environment.
Allowing your children to adjust to an unfamiliar place is essential because it helps them cope with the changes in their lives.
Conclusion
Relocating doesn’t only take a toll on the homeowners but on the kids as well. And as parents are planning to move out soon, giving children a head’s up is vital. It’ll help them prepare for the transition and make adjusting to the new home more manageable.
Before the move, it’s best to communicate your plans to them. Tell them why you’re doing it to help them understand why they must go through this situation. In addition, tell them what it means for them once they leave the city and live in a new place.
Meanwhile, you can hold a farewell party for them a few days before you travel to the new location. Invite their favorite teachers, classmates, and playmates and ask them for inspiring messages.
Once you settle in your new home, you can look for socialization opportunities to give your kids a chance to meet new friends. That way, they’ll feel less lonely and more connected as they adjust to a fresh start.