Moving is a remarkable journey to a better future and novel challenges. This is a difficult task as you have to pack your life from one place and start from the beginning at the new one. Many tasks should be done on time for a hassle-free moving day experience. As we can see it is hard for an adult to process the transition, and think about the thoughts a child must have.
Relocation affects children in many ways including physical and emotional. Just like adults, children can stress out with the moving process and feel uncertain. Some children become emotional; some show tantrums while some feel excited with the change. But how to handle children during the move and save them from physical or emotional harm. Some tips, tricks, and planning can help manage the children during the move. In this article, we will understand how you can prepare your children for the move and what preparation you have to make before the move, during the move, and after the move.
Moving is a remarkable journey to a better future and novel challenges. This is a difficult task as you have to pack your life from one place and start from the beginning at the new one. Many tasks should be done on time for a hassle-free moving day experience. As we can see it is hard for an adult to process the transition, and think about the thoughts a child must have.
Relocation affects children in many ways including physical and emotional. Just like adults, children can stress out with the moving process and feel uncertain. Some children become emotional; some show tantrums while some feel excited with the change. But how to handle children during the move and save them from physical or emotional harm. Some tips, tricks, and planning can help manage the children during the move. In this article, we will understand how you can prepare your children for the move and what preparation you have to make before the move, during the move, and after the move.
Prepare your children for the move
It is important to understand how your children feel about the big move. If they are happy, then they will gladly be involved in the moving process. But if they are anxious or stressed with the news of the move they need to be cheered up. You have to prepare them for the move and there are many ways you can proceed –
- Inform them at the earliest
Being honest with the children is more important, so as soon as you finalize the move inform them. A long break between the move and the new move will allow them to process the thought. They need time to understand why relocation is important and how they enjoy the change.
- Plan a trip to a new home
Children are more attached to the house than adults. They have an emotional attachment to things like the swing set in the yard and the attic of the house. And if they are unhappy about changing the house plan a trip to the new place. Show them their new home and how they can decorate it. You can contact the new neighbors during the visit and introduce your children to the new neighbors. They may make new friends in a new neighborhood. Also, take their opinion about the new house to their liking.
- Involve them in the move
One of the best ways to help your child process the thought of the move is by involving them. There are many ways to involve them like their opinion about the new house and neighborhood, ask them to create a moving checklist, and pack the things they want to take with them. You can ask them to pack a bag they can carry during the travel. They can pack toys, clothes, a favorite book, and something to eat. Take their ideas for decorating in the new home and for their room.
- Don’t disturb their routine
Routine is quite important for children and it should not be altered with the changes. As children are already struggling with the moving stress making many changes to their routine might not be good. So, slightly change their routine but not more.
- Keep them updated
Children must have control over the moving process. To ensure that, update them about the move from time to time. Also, add their thoughts in the moving process. They will feel included and easily enjoy the transition.
- Throw a goodbye party
Children love fun and departing from their friends makes them sad. So, cheer them up and throw a good-bye party for their friends. Let them enjoy as much as possible and create many memories. Children can also plan the party and deliver the invitations.
All these steps can be taken while planning the move and there are a few ideas you can follow to make children feel comfortable after the move. Let us explore the things you can do after moving into the new house
- Stick with the schedule
As mentioned earlier, the schedule is important for children and after moving into a new house they need it to be followed properly. In new surroundings, it is difficult for children to adjust easily so go with their routine and make transition easy.
- Set children’s room first
All the boxes with the belongings from the children’s room should be marked and labeled. So, start unpacking those boxes first and set up the children’s room. Even if the entire house is in chaos, the children’s room must be properly done so children can find comfort in their new home. They can easily sleep and play as they have familiar surroundings.
- Keep them connected
Children feel a connection with the people they spend a long duration of their life. Set up video calls with their friends in the old place and let them play and talk online. This will allow them to vent their feelings about the change and move.
- Have fun in your new home
Settling in a new house and neighborhood can be challenging. You can help your children with the move by spending time with them. You can take them to the new playground, get their favorite food in a new place, and get them busy unpacking the boxes. Don’t forget to take a break and spend time with them.
- Help adapt your children to the new school
One of the biggest challenges children face after relocating to a new city or state is fitting in the new school. New school, new teachers, new classmates but no friends can make your children unhappy and they get discouraged. You can help your children to adapt to the new school by taking them on a school tour before the move. Take their opinion about the new school, introduce them to the teachers, and enroll them in extracurricular activities.
Tips to make Long - Distance move easy for children
Moving to another state is challenging but with the right strategy, you can make the moving journey easy. Follow these tips to make the long-distance shifting process easy for children-
- Plan your driving route and pick a one with beautiful scenery.
- Take food breaks at some place for fun.
- If driving to your new house, make stops at tourist destinations.
- Use technology and applications to have a hassle-free drive.
- Plan your overnight stay at the hotel and prebook the hotel to avoid extra expenses.
- Pack a bag of essentials that includes all the items your children need.
- Pack some story books, activity books, toys, and other items to keep your children engaged.
- Make many memories so click pictures of all important moments.
FAQs about moving with children
1. What should be the right time to inform children about the move?
Ans: The right time to inform your children about the move is about two months before the moving date. This will give them enough time to prepare themselves for the big change.
2. What is the right age for a child to move?
Ans: There is no right age as suggested by the experts. The age when your child is capable of the changes is the right time to move. They can be of any age group but should feel safe and secure.
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