Whether you are moving across town or just a few streets from where you are now, switching houses can be a big deal for your children, even if you are totally comfortable with the situation. Kids are rarely ever people who welcome major life changes in an easygoing manner. Whether your children are 5 or 15 or somewhere in between, how well they handle the transition to a new place depends on how well you prepare before the moving day actually arrives. There are a few things you should do before moving day to make things go a little more smoothly.
Help your children get used to the new place by allowing them to visit.
If you gain access to your new place before you actually move, take the kids there and let them get a feel for it. Allow them to find the bedroom they want, start thinking about how they want to arrange their space, and even allow them to help you do the same through the rest of the house. If your situation allows it, let the kids take over a few things to put in their rooms in advance, such as posters for the walls or certain keepsakes. The more time you spend in the new home before you actually move in, the more at ease your children will feel about the situation.
Have one last fun event at the place you are leaving.
If you have lived in your home for most of your children's life, leaving it behind can be unsettling. Try to counteract the sadness by organizing a small, fun event for them to enjoy at the old house before the move. This could be something simple like a sleepover with their friends or something bigger like a neighborhood barbecue.
Plan ahead so you have ample time to be with your children on moving day.
Moving day can be chaotic, stressing you and your children out completely, but it doesn't have to be. Make plans in advance to have extra help on moving day, pack most of your belongings in advance, and keep everything organized and planned. Also, don't expect to get everything unpacked at the new place right away; instead, make a plan to unpack only what you need for those first few days. This way, you won't feel so stressed about getting everything put back together when you initially arrive. Doing all of this will give you more free time on moving day to actually be with your children and be attentive to their needs on this last day in the home.
For help with a big move, contact a local moving service like Fairfax Transfer and Storage Inc.
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