Moving house is always stressful and difficult, but you will find it much harder when moving with kids. There will be a lot more that needs to be moved, you need to find a way to carry out the move while still looking after the kids, and you need to be prepared for the questions and emotions involved in moving home.
Therefore, it is helpful to be aware of a few tips that can make the move a lot smoother and make the transition easier for both you and your kids.
Hopefully, the advice in this post will reduce stress, streamline the moving process, and allow you all to settle into your new home before long.
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Talk Kids About The Move Early On
You do not want to suddenly spring the move on your kids, so it is important to let them know about the move well in advance. You should explain to them why you are moving and what to expect and answer any questions that they have.
You need to be understanding as moving home can be hugely emotional, so you should empathize and try to help them see how it could be a positive experience and the start of an exciting new chapter. Encourage them to speak to you if they have any questions or if they are feeling worried about the move.
Visit The New Home Ahead Of The Move
It is also a good idea to visit your new home ahead of the move if possible. This should include viewing the property as well as exploring the local area if you are moving to somewhere new. This will help them to familiarize themselves with the area and feel more prepared for the move.
You can also try to get them excited about the move by getting them thinking about how they want to decorate their bedroom and what they can look forward to about living in the new home (such as if it has a big garden or nearby park).
Say Goodbye To The House
Children often form strong emotional attachments to their home if they have been there for a long time (and many adults!), so you should make sure that you give them the opportunity to say goodbye to the house. You might also want to take some photos so that they can always look back and remember their old home.
If you are moving to an entirely new area, you should also make sure that they have a chance to say goodbye to their friends, neighbors, and anyone else important in their life that they will not see for a while.
Involve Them In The Process
There is a huge amount of work involved in moving, so it is natural to think that it is best to leave the kids out of the process. This could make matters worse as they might feel that they have no control over what is happening, so it is smart to involve them in the process.
You could get them to go through their belongings and decide what they want to take and get rid of and give them boxes or suitcases so that they can do their own packing.
Ask Friends & Family To Help
In terms of the actual move, you will find it useful to ask friends or family to help look after the kids. Moving day is always stressful and chaotic, so you do not want to have your kids making it even more stressful.
If you have friends and/or family keeping them entertained and occupied, it gives you the opportunity to knuckle down and get on with moving everything across. It also means that your kids will be well looked after on the day and can have some fun with a family friend or family member.
Use Apartment Movers
Following this, you will also find that it is worth using professional apartment movers. The moving process can be stressful, physically demanding, and complex, so it is best left to the professionals.
You can find professional apartment movers that can pack, load, and unload for you, making moving day a lot easier for everyone. This will also give you more time to comfort your kids and focus on other parts of the move. You can compare quotes for apartment movers and learn more here.
Make The New Home Welcoming
It is also important to make your new home as welcoming as possible. It is tiring, but you should try to make their bedroom(s) as comfortable and welcoming as possible on the first night.
You might find it helpful to have a similar layout and setup as the old house, which can help to create familiarity and comfort. It will always take a bit of time to settle (for both kids and adults), but you can speed this process up by making the house feel homely early on.
Have Something Fun To Do Together After
Having something enjoyable to do together after the move can also make the process easier and more enjoyable. This could be a takeaway and a movie night in your new surroundings, visiting the local park, or going to the leisure center, as a few examples. You must prioritize fun, happiness, and family time in the early stages after moving to keep your kids feeling good during what can be a difficult and emotional time.
Therefore, having family time in the new house and out in your neighborhood is a good idea after moving. You must also be patient and not worry if your child does not settle immediately, as it can take some time. Keep an eye on them and try to keep their happiness levels up – they will soon get used to it.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, the information in this article will be useful for any parent that has a move coming up.
Moving with kids can make what is already a stressful process even more stressful and challenging, but there are things that you can do to make the move easier and less stressful for all. This should also help you all to see the positives of the move and start to settle into your new home before long.
