One thing that is constant with moving is the stress and responsibilities that come with it. You need to get your new space in order. You need to pack and organize your belongings. You need to hire a reputable hose moving company to facilitate the move.
These tasks and several others you must complete can be pretty overwhelming. But when you include the responsibility of caring for your kids, it gets even worse.
Moving affects people in different ways. Some people are extremely excited, some are anxious, and some may actually dread D-day. But one feeling children and adults share in common with moving is uncertainty, and this can inevitably lead to stress.
While you navigate your emotions about your impending move, you need to spare some consideration for your kids to make the moving process seamless for them.
We will share some tips to help you pull this off like a pro in this article. But first, let’s see exactly how moving can affect your little ones.
How Moving Affects Children
As already established, moving to a new home can cause a lot of stress to anyone, especially children. They may get upset and start to act out their frustration in various ways.
But then, can you blame them?
The first thought that may come to their mind is the drastic changes they would have to make. First, they have to get familiar with a new environment. Trust us, this isn’t easy, especially if they have lived in their current home for a long time.
They have to leave the friendships they have built around their neighbourhood which is a sad reality no matter how you look at it. And if your child is an introvert or struggles to make new friends easily, this may appear more scary.
But this is where it gets tougher. If the new house is located in another schooling district, it means they have to start afresh with new classmates, curriculum, and teachers. This can be a lot for a child.
Don’t try to water down their concerns. Yes, it may seem less significant compared to the big changes you would have to make as an adult, but that is why they are kids.
So, what can you do to assure your kids and prepare them for a move?
Tips to Prepare Your Kids for a Move
- Be Honest
It is easy to assume your kids are too young to comprehend the impacts of a move. However, this is far from the reality. The best way to prepare your kids for a move is by being transparent with them. Tell them what the move means for them. Walk them through the life changes they would have to make. This is the first step in ensuring their readiness for the move. Talking about readiness… - Give Them a Tour of the New Home
Taking your kids by the new home and neighbourhood can be quite helpful in getting them ready. Show them around some exciting places in the town, and if they can enter the house, even better. If they will be changing schools, you can schedule a visit to their new school. Allow them to meet the principal and their new teachers. This is another way to settle their nerves and help them process this big change. - Encourage Open Communication
We cannot overemphasize the essence of open communication. You may be preoccupied with other aspects of the move, but always assure your child that they can express any concerns they have. Give them a space to feel heard and seen amidst all the chaos. - Afford Them a Level of Control
What does it mean to give your child a sense of control? It means to carry them along the entire process of the move. Of course, you don’t need to overload them with information. But it would be nice to update them about the move regularly and seek their input. - Let Them Plan Out Their New Room
Now, this is where all the fun lies. Encourage your children to plan out what their new room will look like. Where they want the bed to stay, the kind of decoration or colour they want for the room, etc. This gives them a sense of ownership and creates anticipation about the move.
What You Can Do During The Move
- Involve Them On D-Day
On moving day, give your children a sense of responsibility by asking them for help. While it is crucial to recognize their limits, allowing them to participate in the move in any way can be pretty beneficial both for them and for you. - Introduce Them to Your Movers
You don’t want your movers to seem like unfriendly strangers walking in and out of the house on moving day. So, why not break the ice by introducing your children to them? This establishes some much-needed warmth and eases their minds. - Arrange for Childcare
Depending on the age of your children, having someone watch over them may be a great idea. With all the heavy lifting from your old house to the truck, moving can be quite dangerous, especially for very little ones. So you need to decide if your children are old enough to help with the move or if you need to arrange childcare to take that weight off your shoulders. - Give Them Closure
It wouldn’t be such a bad idea to let your kids say goodbye to their old home. After all the packing is done and the house is empty, take a moment to quietly experience the house for one last time, a place they had called home until now. Doing this can give them a sense of closure.
Adjusting After the Move
- Help Them Setup Their Room
This should be a priority for you after moving. You want your children to feel settled in the new house as soon as possible. Setting up their room -with them playing an active part – is your first step towards achieving this. - Stick to Your Regular Routines
Change can be a lot to process, and moving to a new house is a particularly major change for a child. You don’t want to add to the upheaval by changing the routine they were used to.If you always eat breakfast and dinner together, stick to it. If you usually take a walk together at a particular time, continue with it. This familiarity will help them quickly adjust to their new space. - Greet Your New Neighbors With Them
An excellent way to make your new neighborhood feel less strange is by introducing your children and family to your new neighbours. Who knows, your children could make their first new friends during the visit.
Final Words
We hope you find these tips useful in preparing your child before, during, and after a big move. Meanwhile, don’t forget to prioritize your needs as well. If you are adjusting smoothly to the change, it is more likely your children’s transition will go just as fine.
