We all know that our children are the most delicate and precious beings. For them, moving can be an exciting and scary experience. It is natural for them to feel they don’t have any control over the situation. To make it easier, here are some simple tips for a kid-friendly move.
Create Their Own Special Moving Box
Give your child a cardboard box and let them decorate it however they want. Use stickers, markers, and crayons to personalize it then have them place their important treasures inside. Include their favorite toys, stuffed animals, and treasured photos. They’ll feel comforted knowing exactly where ‘Mr. Teddy’ is. When you arrive at your new home, take time with your child to carefully unpack the special moving box together.
Make Time for Goodbyes
Even though you have a million things to do to get ready for a move, consider hosting a small “going away party” with their friends. A fun, upbeat celebration with friends and family will go a long way helping them with the moving transition. Make it a point to gather addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of friends to stay in touch.
Get a Head Start With School
When possible, visit your child’s new school with them before the move. Remember your child may feel uncertain about being far away from their friends. Helping them create a new social circle will be significant. Children feel a strong sense of attachment to school and friendship groups so establishing this early connection is essential.
Find ‘Normal’ Again
Children thrive in safe and secure environments. Make sure that you take time to explain the move. Once you are in your new home, work quickly to establish schedules. Try to maintain usual bedtime routines and continue family traditions like Sunday morning waffles or popcorn and movie night. With a defined schedule and pattern, your child will find the move much less stressful.
Prepare their Bedroom
When you arrive at the new house, try to get your child’s room in order as quickly as possible. Make sure you have easy access to clean, familiar bedding especially for the first night in your new home. For a child, sleeping in an unknown place can be daunting. But if they have their own snuggly blanket and pillow from home, it will make them feel more relaxed than if they didn’t have those comfort items. Having their bedroom put together will also help them adapt to the new home and feel more secure.
First Night Fun
Make your first night in your new home a fun and memorable one. After a stressful day of moving, relax with some take-out food or delivery. Play a card game or watch a favorite movie. Don’t stress out about a home-cooked meal on the first night; you will have plenty of time for those once you have settled in a little bit. If your place is a complete mess, opt to go out to a fun family place for a bite to eat in your new hometown.
Get Social
Find clubs, activities, or sports teams for your child in your new community. This is a way for them to make friends with kids who have mutual interests. After school programs and park districts are good places to find these programs. Whether it is an art class or soccer team, these are excellent opportunities to meet other children their age.
Make Moving an Enjoyable Adventure
Moving is a trying and demanding time, and it is essential to limit the stress. The trick is to make it fun! Play favorite music while you pack, make a video of the move, color code the boxes, let them create their own special moving box.
When the move is complete save some boxes, so they can build a fort or use their imagination with the empty boxes. These activities will help keep them busy and distract them from the stresses of the move.
Let us help you move the family to your new home. Contact us for a quote.