Tip: Moving With Kids
The house hunt is over, financing is approved and it’s time to move to the new home. Before you start packing, a family meeting may be in order. Moving to a new home is one of the biggest changes a family can face. For small children, moving creates a temporary loss of self- image. It’s important to acknowledge the temporary discomforts and reassure kids that they will continue to be loved and cared for.
Preparation is key, give them lost of information about why you’ve decided to move and what to expect at their new home. Focus on the positive aspects of your new home, but avoid painting an unrealistic picture that everything will be wonderful in a new place. It will take some time for everyone to adjust.
Allow children to take part in as much of the process of moving can be helpful. You may be tempted to ship them off to a relative’s house during the hectic packing and moving process, but this can cause the child to feel unattached for the family. There are several things you can do to help your child adjust well as feel like an important part of the family.
Some ideas are to:
- Encourage your child to pack at least one box of his own things
- Provide stickers, stamps, pens and labels for your child to mark his own belongings.
- Avoid packing favorite toys, books, and clothes until the last day
- Create a “storybook” of the move by photographing the whole family along the way.
When you arrive at your new home, one of the first things you should do is provide the children with a safe place to play or rest while you get settled. Making sure everyone is fed and well rested first will do wonders for your sanity during unpacking. Planning the schedule and details of your move will make the entire process easier. It may be helpful to assign each family member appropriate duties as well as when to start working and how to complete the job on schedule.
The important thing to remember is each member of the family will have to adjust to the new home. The sooner you can return to your routine, the sooner the adjustment will begin. Good luck to you and your family and starting your journey in your new home.
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