How To Make Moving Easier On Your Kids
Ryan Howard • March 28, 2020
How To Make Moving Easier On Your Kids
Author Bio:
Ryan Howard runs Smart Parent Advice, a site that provides parenting advice for moms and dads. Ryan writes about all of the different ups and downs of parenting, provides solutions to common challenges, and reviews products that parents need to purchase for babies and toddlers.
Moving can be a stressful time. After all, moves are giant projects in their own right and it’s not as though you can just hit pause on the rest of your life while you focus on this project. There are so many things that go into moving from finding a new neighborhood and home, to the logistics of packing up your things and getting them from one place to the next.
If you think moving is hard as an adult, it’s good to keep in mind that it can also be difficult for kids. In this article, I’m walking through some of the things that you can do to make things a little easier on your kids.
If you think moving is hard as an adult, it’s good to keep in mind that it can also be difficult for kids. In this article, I’m walking through some of the things that you can do to make things a little easier on your kids.
Talk About Moving Ahead Of Time
Change can be jarring for anyone. But, it is much more so if the change seems sudden and out of the blue. The last thing you want to do is to wake your kids up one morning and tell them that the family is going to be moving to a new home and that the move is happening today.
Instead, try to give them a little notice. For older kids, you might let them know a few months in advance, once you’re fairly certain that the move is going to take place. For kids in kindergarten or preschool, a few weeks is probably enough time to get them comfortable with the idea
Instead, try to give them a little notice. For older kids, you might let them know a few months in advance, once you’re fairly certain that the move is going to take place. For kids in kindergarten or preschool, a few weeks is probably enough time to get them comfortable with the idea
Spend Some Time In The Neighborhood
There is no better way to help your kids conceptualize the move than to go and spend some time in the new neighborhood before moving day. You might push them on a tricycle
or take them on a bike ride on your future street. Or, you can visit some parks or get a bite nearby. Taking this step will help your kids feel a little more comfortable with the move.
Bring A Few Familiar Things Along
When you're packing in anticipation of a move, it’s a natural time to take an inventory of everything you’ve accumulated and look at getting rid of the things you don’t need anymore. If you’ve been planning to get a new sofa, you might just decide not to move the one you currently have and instead buy a new one after moving day.
Having said that, moving homes is a pretty big change for kids. So, you’ll want to make sure to bring some of their possessions. If you have a young child that sleeps in a toddler twin bed and enjoys playing in a sandbox, be sure that these things make the move. Having some familiar items around will help make your new place feel like home.
Having said that, moving homes is a pretty big change for kids. So, you’ll want to make sure to bring some of their possessions. If you have a young child that sleeps in a toddler twin bed and enjoys playing in a sandbox, be sure that these things make the move. Having some familiar items around will help make your new place feel like home.
Keep A Positive Outlook
Kids are really good at picking up on your emotions. If you start to feel stressed out and overwhelmed, they will too. So, instead, try to focus on how exciting the whole move is and make sure to celebrate each step along the way. You might celebrate with cookies when you announce the big news that you have found a new home. Then, once you’re all moved in, order a pizza and have a fun family meal.
Photo by Emma Bauso from Pexels
Like a lot of things in life, when it comes to moving, attitude is everything. So, have fun and enjoy the ride!
Photo by Emma Bauso from Pexels
