When you are moving with kids, it is important to prepare them for the change. This will help them cope better with the stress of the move.
Inform your children of the move in age-appropriate language as soon as the plans are finalized. If possible, take them to the new neighborhood and show them around.
Challenges
For parents, moving is stressful enough with coordinating schedules and ensuring everything goes smoothly. But add kids to the mix and things get a lot more complicated.
Toddlers who are wailing for no apparent reason are often trying to communicate their anxieties, especially about change. Keeping them busy with activities like building box forts can help keep them happy and calm until you are done packing up.
Transition
It’s not uncommon for children to feel anxious about moving to a new neighbourhood, new environment and new school. They may worry about getting lost or not fitting in with their peers. To help them cope, make sure they get plenty of sleep. Children ages 6 to 13 need nine to eleven hours of sleep each night.
It’s important to talk with your kids about the move. This will help them understand the reasoning behind it. It will also allow them to express their feelings.
Communication
Moving can be stressful for everyone involved, but it can be especially difficult for children. They lose friends, start a new school, and have to deal with all sorts of unfamiliar situations.
To help them cope with these changes, it is important to maintain open communication with your kids throughout the process. This includes telling them about the reasons for the move and answering their questions. It is also helpful to visit prospective homes with them and let them choose where they want to sleep.
Involvement
For older kids, the change in routines can cause stress and anxiety. Encourage them to stick to their usual schedules as much as possible and recruit them to help with the packing process and getting your belongings prepped for the arrival of professional movers.
Remind children what will remain the same (family pets, their favorite toys, etc.), and introduce them to the new community by pointing out things like lakes, mountains, local recreation center activities, and the cool amenities and things you can do in the new area that you can’t wait to do together.
Help them stay in touch with friends from their hometown via telephone, video chats, and regular trips back if possible.
Packing
Kids below five years don’t really understand the process of moving. All they know is that they are going away from their friends, family members and special items in their rooms.
Let your children pack their own essential items box to help them feel in control. This will give them a sense of familiarity and stability in their new home. If possible, leave a room in the house set aside for them to retreat to when things become too stressful for them.
Have some minders
Kids pick up on everything, and they will know something is up when they see their toys being packed away in boxes. Removalists in Sydney recommend to have minders for your kids on moving day if you want to save time and not have them among the chaos of moving, consider enlisting the help of family and friends who can babysit the children so that you can work on other parts of the move.
Try to keep your kids’ essentials (change of clothes, stuffed animals and snacks) away from the boxes so they can be retrieved later on. This will help them to stay calm and connected throughout the move.
Researching schools
It’s important to research schools and neighborhoods before you move, so your kids have an idea of what to expect. This helps ease stress and anxiety, and can help your children feel more comfortable.
Help them get involved in their new community by signing them up for extracurricular activities and visiting local places of interest. This can help them meet friends and build a sense of belonging, even if they’re only staying for a short time.
Kids of all ages can have a hard time dealing with the loss of friends and familiarity that comes with moving. They often regress, and may start acting babyish, or cry frequently. The best way is to acknowledge their feelings and support them through the process.
Fun ways to settle into the new neighborhood
Pre-school kids are the least likely to react negatively to a move. But, they can be influenced by the parents’ feelings and moods.
Teenagers are a little more understanding of the move and the reasons behind it. But, they can still be sad about leaving their friends and old neighborhood.
It’s a good idea to introduce them to their new community by throwing an informal housewarming party and introducing themselves to neighbors. Also, signing them up for extracurricular activities will help them make new friends and form a strong local connection. Don’t forget to seek out exciting new eateries, outdoor activities, playgrounds in the new neighbourhood so they can start to appreciate the new environment in a fun way allowing them to settle in a lot quicker.
