Moving house with kids can be one of the most stressful things in life. With the right approach, you can make it a bit easier on you and your kids. I experienced moving with a child for the first time when Mia was 8 months old, and now we are having to move again soon. We want to share our tips for moving with kids.
Talk about it
Given how much we need to organise for the move, it’s very easy to simply leave our kids out of the discussion. But like any decisions you make that affect your child, it really is best to involve them where you can. The most important thing is to make sure that they understand what’s going on. It can be a difficult discussion if you need to tell your kids that they will be leaving their friends and familiar places. Let them have an open and honest discussion with you about why they may feel angry or sad about leaving their home. Give them time to adjust before you start packing.
Stay positive
It’s also important to remember that they will take their cue from you. If you seem stressed or upset, it’s likely that your child will start to feel the same. Moving house is inevitably stressful, so by all means scream into a pillow if you need to. But try and show a calm and positive face around your kids.
Create an adventure
A great way to tackle a move is to turn it into an adventure and get the kids involved from the beginning. All kids love a good story and a bit of excitement, so try and set the mood for something fun. This can also be the perfect way to get the children helping out with small tasks. Not only does this give them a sense of inclusion, but it also establishes some sort of autonomy for them. The decision to move house may not be their decision, but letting them sort out their own bedroom or belongings can help them feel that they have some control in the process.
Ask for help
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. We are not superhuman and we cannot create extra hours in the day. If you are finding that you simply don’t have the time to pack up your home, move, and look after your children – help is at hand. Order online for packing materials, and there is packing services which will deliver and pick up for you, which can save you a few car journeys. A good removals company will take away much of the stress on the day, and get you into your new place – freeing you up to settle the kids in for the night and giving you a much needed glass of wine at the end of a long day!
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