Moving House .. With Kids
You’ve made the big decision to buy or lease a house, now it’s time to pack up and make the big move. Apart from the obvious arrangements to be made, there is the human element side of moving which is quite often the forgotten element.
Whether you are moving for the first time or for the 'I've lost count of how many times' it can be a very stressful time, in fact it is high on the list of the most stressful times in life.
And moving with kids – that tops the list! This is a very emotional time. It can be daunting and overwhelming for children of all ages, sometimes it can be as stressful as a divorce of the parents or the death of a loved on. Preparing your children for the move is definitely a high priority.
Smaller children love routine and familiarity, they may not fully understand what is happening, which can sometimes lead to feelings of confusion and the kids can often become unsettled. It is important to spend extra time with them to talk about the move, perhaps it's a good idea to get them to help pack their toys and prized possessions to introduce into their new home, helping make them feel secure.
Older children may struggle with the move – leaving neighbourhood friends behind, changing to a new school or moving to another State. It is important to keep the communication lines open and be honest,. also letting them express their feelings about the move.
There are a lot of ways you can try to make the whole process run as smoothly as possible, to ease the strain.
Here Are Some Tips From The Experts:
Before the move, have a family meeting (with children old enough) to discuss and share the excitement of your new area by doing some research, tell your kids about previous moves and reassure them
De-cluttering & Packing: get the kids to help de-clutter (sort into donate / sell / throw / keep) let them decorate their packing boxes, leave their favourite toys out until the very last minute, take their beds down and camp out on their mattresses (or build a fortress) for the last week
Moving Day: pack a picnic basket with snacks and drinks, having a break definitely makes life easier. Have a box handy that contains tools, tape, tissues etc (this is essential), use a removalist - it will make the move smooth!
The New House: it’s a really good idea to set the beds up first, have the tools and linen handy. This will help to make the kids feel at home – which in turn helps keep you sane! Next, get the fridge up and running, unpack the kitchen and bathroom essentials, and enlist help from friends and family for the rest.
There are so many things to consider and factor in:
- moving with pets, moving in the rain or a really hot day, things that are hard or awkward to move, moving insurance, how to load / unload a truck (if DIY) .. the list is long and all of these things can make your move even more challenging.
Always remember to try and stay calm, your kids will feel any anxiety you may have. Unpack the important things first, the rest can wait - this is always worth it in the long run.
And remember: sometimes children will feel sad when saying goodbye to their old home – this is not uncommon, it just needs time.
Happy Moving!!