How To Deal With Kids When Moving House
Moving is known to be one of the most stressful life events and if moving is difficult for adults, imagine how much more stressful it is for children, who often have little or no say in the decision to move. However, there are ways to make the move less stressful for the whole family.
Before the Move
As soon as you know that you will be moving, let the children know about it. If they have a long time to get used to the idea, they are more likely to be accepting of it, and if there is a long wait for the move to happen, they may even start to anticipate the move eagerly. It may be tempting to not tell them until the last minute to prevent tears, tantrums and endless questions, but it doesn’t do the children any favours – they will feel powerless and out of control, which has the potential to lead to even more problems.
Once the new home has been chosen, take the children for a visit. Point out the house – go inside if it is possible – and walk them around the neighbourhood to see any fun places like playgrounds, exciting shops and leisure centres. Knowing a bit about the new neighbourhood will help the children to imagine living somewhere other than their current home, and can help them to acclimatise to the idea.
On the Day of the Move
Depending on how old they are, let them help with on moving day. Very small children might do better being left with grandparents for the duration of the move, but older children need to feel part of the process. Assign them small tasks, asking them to let you know when each task is done, and be sure to praise their good work as often as you can.
Let them pack some of their precious toys and possessions. Whilst many people use the event to thoroughly de-clutter their homes, your children will need the security of known objects, at least for the first few months. By all means get rid of old, broken toys and clothes that do not fit any more; just let the child see what is being thrown away and give them some say in what they can keep. If they associate the new house with being deprived of everything old, familiar and lovable, they may well dislike the house from the beginning – not a good start in a new place!
Pack their belongings last and unpack them first. If your child is old enough for new furniture and possessions they may cope well with the change, but younger children may benefit from having their new bedroom laid out in the same way as their old room, with as many of their toys and furniture in the same places as possible. Seeing ‘their’ familiar room in a new place can be a great comfort to children, and can help them settle down while you slowly work through the rest of the house.
After the Move
Be prepared to be patient with the children for some time after the move; especially if this is their first move. They have been separated from the only home they have ever known and it will take some time for the strange feeling associated with living in a different house to wear off.
Why not concentrate on spending time with your children during a move, and let us take the some of the stress and burden of the process off your shoulders? With over 70 per cent of our business coming from recommendations from satisfied customers, you know you are in good hands with Stork Removals! Give us a call and ask about our excellent customer service, storage facilities and personalised removal plans today!