Moving can be super stressful, and double so when you have young kids. Trust me, I know. However, by making sure the kids’ moving day goes as smoothly as possible you can also reduce some of the pressure on yourself. You can even help them transition from one property to another more successfully. Want to know how? Keep reading to find out.
Get Them Involved
For starters, if you have older children you can make their moving day a lot more fun by getting them involved in the process. This means assigning them tasks to do such as pack up the last of their items, or hold the doors open for the adults as they move boxes.
Some kids will even get a kick out of sitting beside you as you drive the rental van to your new home. Although, remember if you do want to do this you will need to get your own car driven to your new location by someone else, or if it’s a long-distance get it shipped there.
The good news is that you can compare rates to move it easily online. I did this when we went to West Virginia about eight years ago. All you need is the postcode of the location your new home is in.
Make Sure They Have Access To What They Need
Next, kids of all ages can become grumpy if they do have access to the things they usually do. What that means is it’s a very smart idea to pack a moving day bag, before the big day itself. Things to put in the bag include snacks, drinks, phone and games console chargers, as well as headphones, books and soft toys, or anything else that your kids need for comfort. Trust me, we want them to be as less fussy and grumpy as possible.
Some car-safe activities for the journey are a good idea as well and don’t forget to add their pajamas and toothbrush too. Then you won’t have to spend hours opening up boxes to find them if you haven’t had enough time to unpack everything in your new home.
Consider a Babysitter
While making sure they are involved in the move can work very well for many children, some will not cope so well at this. In particular, younger kids and babies may struggle.
In these cases, it may be better to ask a trusted friend or family member to look after the kids on moving day. Then they can have a calm fun experience away from all the stress of moving.
You can also use this time to prepare the new property for their arrival, both getting the more intense jobs like positing and assembling furniture completed, as well as getting their rooms ready. Something that can really make a massive difference and help the transition process go much more smoothly.
Final Thoughts on Moving Into Your New Home
Lastly, whether your kids are involved in moving day or spend the day with a babysitter, be sure to plan a positive first night in their new home.
Often this means ordering in take out as a special treat and spending some quality time as a family perhaps watching TV or playing a game for an hour. Again this is something that will help set the right tone for life in your new home.
