Younger ones are usually more sensitive to changes than adults. Moving is stressful by itself, as it includes fear, excitement, as well as a certain nostalgia when it’s finally over. Changing of residence is less stressful for singles and families without children.
In families with kids, especially more of them, additional anxiety about moving will be present. Every kid will respond differently to changing the place of living, but each of them will be a bit scared. Especially school children are pretty emotional about moving away. Why relocation is stressful for them, you can read on this link.
There are things to help you make this experience easier for your kids and make it as painless as possible. It is crucial to reverse this whole situation into something exciting and fun, not stressful or terrifying.
Talk about Their Problems
Children are quite emphatic and feel when their parents are stressed. As this feeling is unavoidable when moving, try to ease this period with the timely conversation. While older children are generally reasonable, younger children may not understand well what it means to ‘move.’
Explain to them exactly what moving is and what will happen after it. Mention them all the bad things (leaving friends, for example), but be sure to notify all good and new opportunities (getting to know new friends). Be sure to tell them about things that will not change, whether it concerns their stuff, pets, daily activities, or family members.
Introduce Kids with Moving Activities
Talk to your children about the process of moving. The idea of how their new flat or room will look will give them some safety. Be encouraging and, above all, sincere. If you describe the situation to the children, that will reduce the unpleasant feeling associated with moving. Encourage the kids to think positively about their next home and everything they expect. Ask them to go online and explore places they could visit to get to know the new city.
Involve Them in Moving
Let the kids help you with packing, in accordance with their age and physical ability. It will be interesting for them to sort out and pack their clothes or toys, or mark the boxes or help you with bubble wrapping (they do love to crack those air bubbles). When they feel useful, they won’t think about the bad things. Keep them busy, but do not forget to inform them about important moving matters.
Teach your kids how to pack their toys with the tips from the following source:
If you are planning to get rid of some old stuff and buy new ones for your new place, allow the kids to determine what is excess and what not. In this way, you remind your little ones they have ‘the right to vote’ during this challenging and stressful period, and that you haven’t forgotten their needs.
Let Them Be Creative
When you show your new living space to your kids, pay special attention to their new room. Or let them choose it if the apartment is big enough. Let them be creative and arrange the room. Suggest that older children find some decorations or furniture on the Internet (determine them at what price). Make them choose the colors of the walls. If they want a painted unicorn on the ceiling, a painted unicorn it is. Just kidding, encourage your kids to be real in their decorating wishes.
Be Patient
Prepare yourself for like a billion questions and concerns from your kids. In regular circumstances, you would probably find a way to get out of this situation. At this moment, it is desirable to be super-patient and to solve your child’s dilemma. We all have a fear of an unknown, and it’s much easier for us to find out some things before moving.
Being patient also relates to the process of moving. People sometimes, in all that rush about moving, forget about their kids, their problems, and their concerns. Moving the distant city is planned for months in advance, so you know the date of the final departure. So when you are not able to organize long-distance moving independently, it may not be a bad idea to contact some of the best nationwide moving companies. So you will have time to be with your children and work to overcome their fears and dilemmas.
Keep Them Entertained While Traveling
The departure day is finally here. If traveling to a new house takes time, make sure your kids have all they need. Get a small rucksack or travel bag that will be with them all the time while moving. In those bags, your little ones can put dolls, books, or a blanky or plushy they couldn’t sleep without. Also, make room for the toys that children will play during a car trip or during an airplane flight (if you move to another city or state).
Children make a lot of mess. Provide enough additional clothing for both you and them. Leave it in the trunk. You never know when you will need it. If the moving lasts for several days, always have enough food and drinks with you. Handheld refrigerators are quite useful in these situations.
Let Them Be Priority When Arrive to New Home
When you arrive at your new home and start with the unpacking, make sure to unpack your kids’ stuff first. Help them move in and make their new room. Let them entertain themselves with smartphones or playing games. So you’ll get some extra time and can continue unpacking in peace, although they probably won’t be interested in helping you this time.
Kids are much tougher than parents think. In most cases, they can be incredibly adaptable to new circumstances. As soon as they find new friends and new occupations, they’ll forget about those few stressful days. If you devote the time to preparing them for the relocation, listen to their opinions and show understanding for their issues, it’s a good chance that the entire moving process will pass without any major difficulties.
Thank you so much! I’m moving this weekend with my 1 and 3 year old and this was so helpful! Great advise and tips