Moving can be an overwhelming experience, not to mention when you have young kids or teens to move with. Packing, hauling, moving, unpacking, and helping your kids adjust to your new home can quickly turn into a nightmare for them if you don't know how to handle it. Fortunately, this guide provides some tips on how to move with young kids and teens smoothly.
Inform them about the move early
Moving to a new location can psychologically affect your kids if you do not prepare them early. Come up with a friendly way to inform them of the move and why it is necessary. Help them prepare and include them in the entire process.
Give them reasons to anticipate the move.
Young kids might be heartbroken to leave their friends behind in the old neighbourhood, but you need to give them reasons to be excited about the move. Let them know the positive features of the new home and the things they will enjoy there. Give them enough details like when you will move, how the new neighbourhood is like, the new school they will attend, what the new home is like, how they will share rooms, etc. That way, you can help them understand their feelings and cope with them.
Start planning the move earlier.
Moving with your family, especially young kids is not easy, so you need to start preparing as early as possible. Begin packing the items you don't use daily and include them in the process during their free time. Show them how to pack their belongings like toys and to label the boxes. A good tip is to take advantage of the time they are in school to pack most of their things.
Stick to routines
Please do not interfere with the routine of the kids to avoid stressing them. Remember, the move has already affected them psychologically, and making it as hassle-free as possible is advantageous to them. Ensure the family routines and schedules remain intact amidst the moving process.
Come up with a to-do list for them.
Even if a moving company will facilitate your move, come up with a to-do list for the kids during the moving process. That way, they will feel included in the moving process. Give them simple jobs such as packing their toys, labelling their boxes, cleaning their closets before moving, etc.
Declutter
It is easy for kids to accumulate many things they don't necessarily need especially old junk. Throw them away while they are in school so that they don't notice. That will simplify the moving process.
Let them give opinions.
Allow your kids to express their opinions on the moving process, like how they want to arrange their rooms in the new home and so forth. That is a good way of maintaining a positive attitude and making them anticipate the move.
Take photos of the old home.
Before you leave the old home, take plenty of pictures for memory books to alleviate the kids' anxiety about leaving their old house.
Allow them enough time to adjust.
Once you are in the new home, allow the kids enough time to adjust to the new environment. Befriend your neighbors so that they will get a chance to make new friends as soon as possible.
