In the midst of all the moving tasks, there are rather important details parents shouldn’t forget about – the feelings of their kids and their attitude towards moving. Whatever our age, adapting to a new environment and dealing with significant changes is tough. But it can be even more difficult for kids, as they can’t understand the full scope of the situation. This can result in a negative attitude, tantrums, rejecting the new place, etc. That’s why parents should be there to offer support and love during this challenging period. If you plan on moving houses soon, it’s time to read some tips on how to help your kids cope with moving.
Don’t underestimate their feelings
Even though they may be little to you, kids’ feelings are real. And most children find it tough to leave their home, friends, and school. So don’t ignore or underestimate your child’s feelings, but adapt the support strategy according to their age. Feeling bad about the move can cause negative emotions after the move and result in bad grades or rejecting new friends and school.
No surprises
Unless you have a baby, make sure there are no surprises about this relocation. Be honest about the reason and time you plan to relocate. Have a family meeting and inform everybody about the moving plans. This will give everyone enough time to mentally accept moving and preparing for the big day.
Introduce the changes
One of the reasons we fear new things is that we don’t know much about them. If possible, give enough details to your kids about the move. Tell them details about the moving process, so they know what to expect. More importantly, introduce the new home. If possible, visit the place a couple of times so that they can get used to it. If you’re moving long-distance and can’t visit, virtual tours will do just fine. You can also take a virtual tour of your new neighborhood, see main attractions in the new city, etc. Do as much as you can to familiarize your children with their new environment.
Give them some control
If you’re wondering why your kids have a negative reaction to the move, try to walk a mile in their shoes. Let’s say someone makes significant changes in your life – with you having no control over it. A lack of control makes everybody feel insecure and nervous, and your kids are no exception. That’s why you should avoid that by letting them participate in making some of the decisions. This can be choosing their rooms, picking the colors for walls, etc. You can research movers at Master Moving Guide – compare favorite options and choose the best professionals together. Let your kids feel important and value their opinion as much as you can.
Don’t make everything new – keep the new house homey and familiar
Accepting a new space is difficult. That’s why you should bring some of the items from the old house to make the new home more familiar. Even though it’s best to declutter and get rid of as many unnecessary items as you can when packing for a family move, keep the things your kids love.
Accept their grief
If you want to help your kids cope with moving, you need to let them grieve. Be supportive and understand if they are feeling sad or angry. Tell them it’s okay to feel that way, and it’s just something they need to go through and start a new life chapter. More importantly, give a solution for their problems. The new school will also be great; they can make new friends and keep in touch with the old ones. Luckily, technology has given us the chance to communicate freely, so keeping old friendships won’t be a problem.
Take care of yourself
To cope with everybody’s feelings, you need to take care of your own. Reducing the stress to a minimum will ensure you feel good about the move and have enough energy to deal with your kids. The main aspects of a stress-free move are:
- Enough time to complete all moving tasks – doing things in a hurry will only make you feel anxious and spread that feeling to other family members;
- Creating a moving budget to be financially ready for this project – relocations can get expensive, so make sure you’re prepared to avoid unpleasant surprises;
- Help from friends and family, but more importantly – from a licensed, reliable moving team;
- Pack light – get rid of unnecessary items and pack only what you really need.
Have a farewell party
Make this move a fun one and organize a party where everyone can invite their friends. This will be an excellent way for your kids to say goodbye and have some fun before the big day.
Prepare for the big day
The moving day and the first day in the new home should be a positive memory for your children. That’s why you need to make the traveling part hassle-free. More importantly, make sure the first day and night at the new home are fun for everybody. Leave the boxes unpacked – plan some fun activities like exploring the neighborhood, ordering the best pizza in town, and playing games. The moving boxes and all the mess can wait a bit longer.
Unpack kids’ items first
To help your kids cope with moving and adjust faster, ensure they have a safe space as soon as possible. So once you start unpacking, deal with their boxes first. Set up their rooms where they can immediately be surrounded with the items they know and love, so they can feel secure and at home. You can also include them in the process and let them decide where some of the items will go. Make it a fun activity the whole family can enjoy!