7 tips for moving with children
Moving can be oh so stressful in itself, add one or more children to the equation and let’s see who gets out of it in one piece . All kidding aside, children thrive on routine, and while moving to a new place can be very exciting, moving from their old home is a big change in a child’s life.
Because of this (and because children are curious and energetic little creatures), they may act out during the move to protest this big life change. But you can make the move a little more peaceful by preparing your children slowly and well in advance. Follow our tips and make your children feel like the move is something fun and exciting that you do together as a family.
Here are our best tips for moving with toddlers:
1. Tell me when everything is completely decided
As mentioned, it can be difficult for children to deal with big changes, so it’s best to eliminate as much confusion and disappointment as possible. Wait to tell them about the move until you’re absolutely sure that you’re actually moving and what your new home will be like.
2. Plan together
Children love to feel involved and this is a perfect opportunity to let them be. Take out the floor plan and go through where your furniture will be in the new home and go to a paint store and let your child choose the color for their room.
3. Familiarize yourself with the area
Visiting your new neighborhood is not only a fun outing, it can also make children feel less nervous about the move. Check out if there are any fun parks, public baths, swimming pools, or other activities nearby, and if possible, go and see the new house, even if it’s just from the outside.
4. Make packing fun
Packing all their stuff into boxes can feel strange, especially for a young child who may not understand that the toys will come back in the other place. So be sure to explain this, and also try to make packing something fun! For example, let the child decide for themselves how you will divide the toys into different moving boxes.
5. Prepare snacks and toys
Even the best can suffer from blood sugar drops and hangriness, especially on moving day. The golden word here is preparation. Make sure you have simple snacks and drinks readily available throughout the day. Appropriate toys or games can also be good for sedentary moments.
6. Childproof the move
When moving, it can feel like all your things are everywhere and nowhere, which can be incredibly stressful as a parent of young children. So make sure you keep an eye on the things you want to keep out of reach of children: such as medications, cleaning supplies, tools, sharp kitchen utensils and electronics. The best thing to do is to pack these things in one box.
7. Get help from a babysitter
During the actual moving day, it can be nice to have some relief, at least part of the day so that you can concentrate on getting the moving job done. Let the child be involved at the beginning so that they feel involved, but then make sure that a babysitter comes and takes the children to a playground for a couple of hours and we promise that the move will go both smoother!
The last, and probably the best tip for a stress-free moving day, is to hire a professional moving company to help with packing, carrying, and logistics. By delegating the more difficult tasks to someone who really knows their stuff, you can focus on your most important task: being there for your child.
Hope these tips can help you on your way to a calmer and safer move with children. Good luck!