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Moving Tips for Families with Kids

May 31, 2021 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on moving tips for families. Moving to a new location is a stressful time for most people. Changing life circumstances like a new job or relationship may require selling your home. So, making the transition is tough for adults, but it gets a lot more challenging when you have young kids.

It’s important that you take the time to plan each aspect of the move carefully. Furthermore, planning for your kids’ needs and reassuring them is important too. Children feel insecure when giving up familiar rooms, friends, teachers, and play areas. Keep reading for some helpful tips that can help you make the change less stressful for them.

Moving Tips for Families:

Communicate and Talk Openly About What’s Going On

Your kids are smarter than you think. And, they always sense that something is going on. You may be meeting the realtor to discuss your options, or may be scheduling a showing. Having strange people walking around can make kids uneasy. So, sit the kids down (choose a time after they’ve eaten or had a nap) and talk about the move. Discuss your new home and emphasis that they will have a beautiful room and new friends. Additionally, answer questions in terms that make sense to them. But, be prepared for meltdowns. Add lots of hugs and reassurances and give them time to assimilate the information and come around to embracing the move.

Introduce the New Home With Images and Videos

Familiarize your kids with images of the new home. The realtor assisting you with the purchase will likely share lots of pictures. Or, you can get them from the seller’s listing. Use Google Maps to get an overview of the neighborhood, including some exciting landmarks to explore. A tree with enough room for picnics under it or a garden where they can play will make the new home exciting. Knowing what to expect will make the transition smoother.

Keep the Kids Busy While You Pack

Even with local movers assisting you, there will be an endless list of tasks to do. Have a plan to get organized so you can keep the kids busy and out of trouble. If they’re older, you can get them to help. For the smaller children, place them in a room that has already been cleared. If they are technically savvy let them watch videos or play games. For smaller children give them toys that they like to play with or a few books. Add in a snack with some juice or water. Better yet, stack up some of the sealed boxes to make a fort and let the kids play where you can keep an eye on them.

Maintain Normalcy For As Long As You Can

The most effective way to provide a sense of security after the move is to make sure that you stick to their routine as much as possible. Make sure that you can access their favorite sheets, plates and utensils, and other bedtime essentials. Think about commissioning hand-illustrated house portraits and hanging them up in the kids’ rooms. They will feel like they’re bringing over the old house with them.

Remember, moving to a new place can be a scary for kids. So, take the time to understand their fears and help them transition by providing security and giving lots of love.

Helping Kids Through a Move

December 9, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on helping kids through a move. The average American moves to a new home over 11 times in their lifetime. Moving is always a big decision, especially if you’re moving to a new state or even a new country. For adults, the experience can be daunting. But for children, it can be a source of stress and anxiety as they have no control over what happens.

Unfortunately, children often feel trapped by a big move. Sometimes moving comes out of the blue, and they don’t understand why it is happening or how to cope. As a parent, you have a responsibility to make things as smooth and stress-free as possible for your children.

Helping Kids Through a Move

Address the situation honestly

Ideally, you don’t want to leave it until the last minute. You have to be honest and upfront about the move. If the family is planning to relocate in a different city or state, have a conversation with your child. Let them know what is happening and when as soon as possible. It is even more important to be up front and honest in a case where only one of the parents will be moving with them, such as following a separation.

Your child needs to understand that it isn’t their fault. More importantly, you need to reassure them that their parents will always be there for them, even if they live in different houses. You can also take the time to discuss what their bedroom will look like in a new home. In a divorce, the child can share their life between both homes, which means they have two bedrooms.

Dealing with removal stress

Moving is synonymous with packing. Unfortunately, there will be a lot of packing and the task can take up a lot of your time. So, give your kids a chance to spend time with their other family members or friends. Also, it can be helpful to keep things hassle-free by reaching out to a professional removal company. They can pack and ship your belongings for you. For long-distance moves, you can even consider car shipping services to your new address, so you don’t have to drive across the country! Ultimately, when you’ve got the move under control, you’re in a better position to arrange a goodbye party for your kid.

Make sure there will be memories

It is terrifying to leave the friends they’ve made behind. So, it is important to reach out to friends, neighbors and teachers as soon as you know the move is happening. You can plan a going-away party for your child (and even yourself). Don’t forget to bring a book to collect all addresses and contact details. For example, bring a sign-in book or a huge box where people can leave their cards. You can also create a Facebook page or an Instagram #hashtag for the occasion so that those who couldn’t make it can still get in touch.

Moving into a new home can be difficult for everyone. It forces you to change your habits and to meet new people. For children, it can be a scary experience, whether the whole family is moving out or just one parent. You can help them understand and prepare for the move by making time to talk.

Filed Under: Family Time Tagged With: divorce tips, helping kids when moving, moving tips

3 Tips To Packing A House With Kids

March 9, 2017 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Having kids running around under your feet is trying at times. But when you are trying to pack up your house for a move, stress can becomes a big problem! First, set a date for the move. This will give you a clear and concise idea of how much time you have to plan. So, go ahead and plan for your move. We have tips on packing a house with kids. Additionally, this gives you time to plan for child care.

Consider baby sitters and/or relatives to assist with the children while you pack. This includes packing one house and unpacking the next one. There is nothing that’s easy about packing a house. Furthermore, when you chuck a few children into the mix the whole move can feel daunting.

Furthermore, not only do you have to think about packing everything correctly, you have to worry about whether you packed your toddler’s toys. There are some tricks out that all parents should live by when packing your home for a move and you have children. For example:

Time: Give yourself plenty of time to plan, prepare, and pack. You will need to prepare your children for the move. Explain that you will be packing the house for the move. Also tell them that moving van and movers will be in the house assisting with the move. Explain that they will be moving the furniture as well as packed boxes to the new house. Give them time to come around to the move and new home.

Protection: Packing a house comes with dangerous materials. Get the packing material out of reach of the children. Because you will be so busy packing you may not notice the baby eating the bubble wrap – not a good start! Also, sharp objects should always be kept out of the way. Of course, towers of packed boxes can become a crushing hazard. Keep kids away and occupied.

Independence: Allow independent kids to pack their own ‘first night’ box. Furthermore, they can assist their younger brother and/or sister. It is a great way to both keep them busy and make them feel like they have some input. Set out some of the essentials for them such as their favourite toys, pyjamas and books for their individual boxes. Show them that they can have some control over a situation that truly, they have no say in.

Last, there are many other tried and tested moving secrets from parents that can make a house move feel so much smoother. The big day is approaching and being able to face things head eliminates stress. It doesn’t have to be a hugely stressful experience if you don’t allow it. Be mindful of your time, and your house packing will go off without a hitch.

We hope that you have found our tips on packing a house with kids helpful.

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Safety Tagged With: household moves, household packing tips, moving tips