Moving households is both exciting and stressful. It comes with the anticipation of a new challenge—and a new environment. Yet, the stress and expenses associated with the entire process are difficult to ignore. You will need to plan, pack, travel, and sort out things at your new abode after you part ways with your moving company of choice.
But families often get too preoccupied with the planning and implementation process that they ignore how kids might feel or adjust to the move. Ideally, just like moving can be a challenge to adults, it can also cause a lot of physical, emotional, and psychological problems for youngsters.
Physically transporting kids to your new city can affect their bodies. Then, there are the aspects of losing their friends and adjusting to a new school and environment. While these can be traumatic, you can make kids adjust to the big transition through the following ways;
Before You Move
1. Talk to the Kids about Moving
Understandably, you will have many obligations under your belt during this period. However, one of the things you should prioritize before you move is announcing your plans to the kids. Kids will certainly react differently to this news. Some could get angry and sad, while others will get excited. Be prepared.
Listen and acknowledge their reactions without trashing their feelings. It is vital to be open and honest with them. Also, please let them share their thoughts, concerns, and apprehensions. If they are too young to understand everything, act it out with stamped animals.
2. Be Patient with Them
Kids can get either too stressed about the idea of changing homes. Others can try to push you to move sooner. These reactions can drive you crazy. Either way, be patient with them. Reassure them that it is okay to feel how they do.
And when such problems arise, stop packing boxes and chat with them before having a nap. Sleeping will help you and the kids relieve stress and awful feelings.
3. Create a Video or Book to Honor Your Current Home
Another way of making kids adjust to moving is by honoring your home. You can decide to go with a video or a book. You can take photos or videos of the entire family doing things your children treasure. Include their favorite spaces in your documentation.
Glue the photos in a book and add captions appropriately to make an interesting story. Of course, the captions should talk about your current home, the reason for moving, everyone’s feelings, and what to expect. You can apply the same concept with a video. Edit it to flow, and include voice-overs.
4. Allow Kids to Say goodbye
Prepare your kids adequately for the move and allow them to say goodbye before you embark on your new adventure. Allow them to visit their friends and write goodbye letters. You can also allow kids to visit their favorite places around the neighborhood and finally have a last walk around your home before you all walk out together.
During the Move
5. Transport Kids Safely
Make your kids as comfortable as possible during the move. Thus, you should ensure that you have a safe and comfortable means of transportation. Traveling can be draining, and poor positioning along crazy distances will lead to annoying aches. Again, carry enough snacks and water for the journey.
After the Move
6. Set up Kids Rooms As Soon As You Can
Make the spaces around children as calm and comfortable as possible. And always consider this with some urgency. So, everything in the kids’ rooms should be the last to get into the moving truck and the first to be unpacked. Organize their rooms, get them takeaway, and have them rest early.
7. Allow the Kids to Have Some Control
If there are decisions that they can help make, please allow them to help you. Give them control over the color of their rooms, the choices and positioning of toys, and their room decorations. And if you have several rooms in your new abode, please allow them to choose.
8. Keep Their Schedule the Same
Being in a new home does not mean that everything must change. Predictability will allow your kids to adjust without many frustrations. So, maintain their schedules in terms of sleeping patterns, feeding routines, choice of toys, and choice of bedding.
9. Plan a Tour of the Neighborhood
Once you’ve set up your new home, it is time to tour your new neighborhood. Go to the playground, visit an exclusive restaurant, and get them to connect with the youngsters in the neighborhood. Notably, this is also the best time to procure new gaming gadgets, books, and toys. Besides, take them to their new school for acclimatization.
10. Help Them Keep In Touch
While their attention will shift quickly, it is difficult for kids to forget their old friends. This can be painful, and feelings of boredom and emotional upsets will keep coming. Please encourage them to write letters or text messages to their old friends. You can also allow them to have phone conversations whenever possible, which will help them settle faster.
Moves are overwhelming. And to kids, they can take too long to adjust, which can be traumatic. Fortunately, these ten tips will help your child to adjust faster and more conveniently.
