Adults may need to relocate for a new job or desire to be closer to family. And while these are normal reasons for moving, they’re not always easy for any children involved in the process. For kids, moving can mean saying goodbye to friends and changing schools, which can cause stress and worry.
Fortunately, parents can intervene with a few key steps to help their kids feel better about upcoming changes. Read on as we explore the best ways to prepare children for a house move.
Use Simple Language to Communicate
Don’t delay when it comes to sharing news of an upcoming move with your children. Keep the language simple and age-appropriate. For example, if you have a preschool-age child, affirm that your child’s toys will be making the move, too. You want your child to understand that their routines will stay the same even though they have a new bedroom in a new home. For slightly older children, reassure them that you’ll be at their side if they’re transitioning to a new school. Explain why you’re moving if it’s connected to a job or other life change, and let your child ask questions.
If you have teenage children, share even more details about the move. Invite questions, and let your child know that it’s okay to feel anxious or sad. Older children should know that their feelings matter and trust their parents as a sounding board as they adjust to a new reality. Always take time to listen, and keep the lines of communication open.
Maintain Predictable Daily Rhythms
Moving comes with a lot of extra tasks and responsibilities. These parts of the process can interrupt your child’s sense of normalcy. Do your best to maintain as many routines as possible to provide stability. Don’t change bedtimes, for instance, and eat together as often as you can.
Does your family have a movie night every weekend? Keep that event on the schedule, as well as other key family traditions. Extend music lessons, playdates, and other weekly staples as long as you can before the move happens. When you can move without the hassle, your children will feel more secure.
Let Your Kids Feel Involved
While adults will be coordinating the details of the move, it’s important to help kids feel involved, too. They’ll develop a greater sense of ownership, and that can help ease the transition. Let your kids manage how they want to pack their toys on the front end of the move. They can tape and label boxes, as well.
Once you’re in a new home, let your child choose the paint color for their new bedroom. Or give them choices when it comes to furniture arrangements. Help your children understand how long their toys and other belongings will be in boxes. And, of course, let them assist with the unpacking process.
Build a Kit for Day One
When the moving truck arrives, and the movers unload the boxes, you’ll still have a lot of work in front of you. Even when boxes are labeled, you won’t necessarily be able to access the ones you need easily. That’s why it’s smart to create a kit for your first night.
Include toiletries, like a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and facewash. Let your kids decide which pajamas they want to wear on the first night in their new home. And add a fresh pair of clothes for the next day to your kit. It’s also a good idea to pack any familiar books or stuffed animals to help make a new space feel more familiar.
Address School Changes Right Away
Children may feel nervous about changing schools during a move. Make a point of handling this process right away to avoid adding stress to the situation. Have your child’s previous school record ready, and visit your child’s new school with them. Ideally, you can meet with a teacher or counselor who can share what a typical day is like. Children like knowing what to expect in a new situation.
Let your child know it’s okay to feel homesick. And encourage them when they make a new friend. Each day, they should start to feel rooted in their new school and home. Be supportive, ask questions, and provide a listening ear for your child.
Prepare for a Move
A house move can feel overwhelming for children, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Communicate with your child in an age-appropriate manner, and involve them in the packing process. Maintain normal routines as often as possible, and tour their new school together. When you’re supportive and present as a parent, your child will feel more comfortable with the moving process.