Tips to Make Moving with Kids Easier

Oh, the excitement and adventure of moving! While it can be a challenge at any stage in life, there are different types of challenges you may face when you have your own family. Before you let the complexity of the moving process get the better of you, keep in mind there are ways to make the transition to a new home easier for the whole family.

Read on for five tips to making the moving transition easier with kids.

1. Let The Kids Know Sooner Than Later

While you may be worried about settling into a new home, your kids’ whole world is going to change as they worry about leaving their friends. By allowing your kids enough time to get used to the idea of moving, you can help prepare them for the big change. Do this by providing them with details about the new house and also how they can keep in touch with friends from their old neighborhood or school. It can be a good idea to introduce your family to other kids in the neighborhood so that they can get a head start on making new friends.

2. Stick to Your Routine as Much as Possible

Routines can form good habits in kids and also provide them with a sense of security. While you’re packing up the house and preparing to move, remember to still make time for the things you would normally do. Don’t abandon your Friday night movie tradition for the sake of getting a few more things packed. Be sure to keep your bedtimes and mealtimes the same as you move from one house to another. The stability of still doing normal tasks will help make the transition smoother for you and your family.

3. Involve Your Kids in the Moving Process

Moving chores aren’t just for adults. Organizing your kids’ belongings before you pack everything away in boxes will make the move itself easier for everyone. If they don’t want to help sort their toys, you can offer an incentive by letting them keep some of the money made from selling their old toys, or getting a new item they can keep in their room at the new house. Sort everything into keep, sell, and give-away piles and make sure your kids have a say in what does and doesn’t come to the new house.

4. Allow The Kids Time to Adjust

Chances are your kids like the house you currently live in and could be feeling nervous or sad about the transition to a new space. To help make this transition easier, consider bringing photographs of the old house into the new one. Sit down with them and make a list of things they can get excited about in the new home and things they will miss about the old one. Depending on the age of your children, you can use books or music to help them understand their emotions and find a positive outcome.

5. Keep a Positive Attitude 

For better or worse, your kids pick up on your energy, so try to stay positive during the moving process. This is very important while settling into your new home, as your kids are likely to already be experiencing anxiety. No matter what, know that you’ve made a positive decision for your family and the kids will make new friends in their new neighborhood and at their new school.

Sources

https://www.neighbor.com/storage-blog/moving-kids-15-tips-smooth-move/

https://updater.com/moving-tips/top-7-tips-for-moving-with-kids/

https://childmind.org/article/advice-for-moving-with-children/