Ok, how many of you laughed at the title? It’s said that moving home is stressful enough, and, let’s face it, adding children to stressful situations doesn’t sound like it could be a joy.
But with planning and communication, it doesn’t have to be any harder. Here are some tips on how to make moving home with children easier than expected.
Remember, moving home is a huge change for them as well
How are you feeling about moving home? You may be excited, but you may also be looking around at those notches on the door marking how your children have grown every year and feeling very nostalgic. Whether this is the only home that your children have known or not, they will have formed their own memories there. Talk to them about what they love about their current home and share what they can do in their new home. Get them used to the idea of transferring all of those good things into a new place.
Take them to view your new home
The idea of moving can feel a bit abstract – even to you – until the day comes around and it’s suddenly real. Getting your head around that as a child is no easier. While you may be dealing with contracts and paperwork and trying to find boxes, a child is mostly left out of the process, so it may be that bit more shocking on moving day without prep. By taking your child(ren) to see your new home, it can help them to imagine where they will sleep and play, and get them used to the idea before the big day.
If you’re moving to a different part of town or a different place completely, take some time to have a look at what’s around, like the local park or shops – anywhere you can imagine being together.
Listen to them about moving home
As every parent knows, the thing that you think is on your child’s mind may be completely different, in reality. Ask them how they are feeling and listen to anything they are excited about with equal interest to any of their concerns. Getting another point of view, in this way, may make you see sides of your new home that you hadn’t considered, so it may help you to prepare more for the move. Reassuring your children that you have taken their concerns into consideration will go some way to preparing them.
Choose your moving day wisely
Would it be easier to have your children with you on moving day, so they can go through the whole process with you and say goodbye to their old home at the same time? Or would it be better that they were at school or with family? You might have your own thoughts on that. If you are open to different options, it’s worth talking to your children about it before, to help them to settle in.
Get them involved with the home move
Have you got everything organised on lists? Why not make them a game with your children when it comes to moving day? Ask them to check things off (you may want to do this at the same time, to make sure everything is right!) or time what’s happening. Making things a game can make the last moments and first moments in your new home that bit more joyful.
Don’t pack what comforts them
Whether it’s a cuddly toy, an iPad or a fiddly game, you don’t have to pack everything. Even if you’re only moving ten minutes away, it makes a huge difference for your children to have something consistent that they view as their own to hand.
Choose a removal company you get on with
Just as important as getting the quotes and checking insurances, it’s worth meeting the removal company and the people who will be helping you to move home, to make sure you’re comfortable with them on one of your most stressful days, and with your children.
Take photos of the things you’ll treasure – and you’ll continue
That notch mark on the door frame or wall tracking their heights through the years may not be coming with you, but if you take a photo of it, you can transfer the measurements to your new place.
If you would like to know more about our services or meet us to talk about your big move, please get in touch.