Relocating to a new home is a stress-free event, said no one ever.
The task of having to pack everything is already daunting. Then you have to physically move all your belongings, big and small, from point A to point B. And if those two points are hundreds of miles apart, then you will have to do some intense research to find a reliable long distance mover to help you out.
However, lost in the midst of all the stress adults have to deal with is the fact that your kids are probably having a hard time with the move, too. Sometimes, we all get caught up in the preparations for the move that we forget our kids are worried about transferring to a new school and leaving friends behind, among other things.
The whole moving process is a hectic one, but parents must pay attention to their children even when they’re swamped with tasks related to the relocation. Here are some tips that ought to make moving easier on your kids.
Make your plans early.
Nothing would be worse than springing the whole moving thing on your entire family just a few weeks before the actual move. To say that everyone in your household will be miserable in the days leading to the move would be an understatement.
As much as possible, plan your relocation way ahead of time, and make sure your kids know about it too as early as possible. They can sure use the time to let the idea of moving sink in, talk to their friends about it, and adjust to the idea of living life in a new place long before they actually move there.
Give them a tour of the new place.
Much of a child’s apprehensions about moving revolve around not having any idea how their new neighborhood, house, and room will look. So take your kids on one weekend to the new place, and show them everything it has to offer. Drive them around the neighborhood, and do your best real estate agent impersonation to hype them up about their new surroundings.
If the new house is in another state, then you can always guide them through the neighborhood on Google. Making them feel excited about the move should make the whole thing a lot less stressful for everyone.
Involve your kids in the preparations.
Instead of doing everything yourself, why not assign your kids age-appropriate tasks related to the move? That way, they’ll be doing things that will keep them too busy to think about their own worries about the move. They will also feel a certain amount of control about the whole thing. Have them pack their own toys, ask them where they want to spend the night while on the road, or if they want to visit some attractions on the way.
Pack their favorite things in one place.
On the day of the move, your child will likely be filled with a whole plethora of emotions. To help make them feel at ease throughout the trip, you will want to keep their favorite things—toys, pillows, books—in one place that’s easy to reach. These favorite things should also come in handy when you all spend your first night in the new place.
Moving will always bring a certain amount of stress, and it doesn’t matter if you’re an adult or a child. Hopefully, the tips above can help you make your child not only feel better about the move, but also better prepared to adjust to a new life in a new neighborhood, city, or state.