Moving is a stressful affair for anyone, but adding young children to the mix makes it even more difficult! Although there will undoubtedly be tears and tantrums along the way, there are some actions you can take to ease your child into their new home.
Let them take part
It's critical for young children to understand what's going on and to feel included in the moving process in order for it to go as smoothly as possible. Because seeing their belongings packed up and carried away can be unpleasant for children, talking to them and explaining what is going on will help them perceive the move as exciting rather than stressful. To avoid a never-ending barrage of inquiries, it's best to have these discussions with your inquisitive child as you get closer to the move's formal start date.
Ask for help
A regular day can be chaotic with a youngster on your hands, so a 'moving day' can be a nightmare. In the weeks leading up to the big day, reach out to friends and family to take advantage of their earlier generous promises to babysit. Not only will this allow you to move all your belongings without having to amuse a little child, but it will also allow you to get a head start on your unpacking.
Turn packing into a game and encourage them to find the things you want to pack, ask them to decorate the moving boxes with crayon art, or donate one spare box to make a den, castle, or spacecraft if this isn't an option and you're struggling to find methods to keep an excitable toddler entertained.
When the long-awaited day arrives, you may decide to employ a professional moving company to assist you with the removal and transfer of your belongings. Not only will this save you time, but you'll also be more comfortable and stress-free when you arrive at your new home, with your hands-free to care for your children.
Get a head start
Everyone, but especially children, find new environments stressful. You'd be astonished at how accustomed people are to their regular routines or travel routes. To prevent causing your children as much distress as possible, we recommend that you try to make them aware of the change well in advance. This could include driving past the new house and pointing out the surroundings, taking a different route to drop them off at all schools that bypass the house – or, if they have a new school, showing them around as much as possible to ensure they become comfortable in their new surroundings.
Think about your packing
The last thing you want to do after spending days packing up your belongings is to spend an hour looking for plates while chasing a hungry child. To save your toddler (and yourself) a lot of stress, pack your child's belongings last and unpack them first when you reach your new house. Your toddler will be ready to get back to their normal routine.
Positive Attitude
Most importantly, make sure your child understands that moving is a positive event to look forward to; by allowing your child to participate in the process, for example, focus on the positives, such as a new bedroom to decorate, parks that are now nearer, or a larger garden ready to be filled with a climbing frame and trampoline!
