Moving from your home to an entirely new community can be a huge change in a person’s life, even as an adult. So, it’s no surprise if this also significantly affects your child. Moreover, it can be hard to relay this news to their developing mind.
That’s why you’ll need to be extra mindful when moving with your child. If you’re wondering how you can help them understand and be part of the journey, here are a few ways you can make the move easier.
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Inform Your Children
If you have already made significant decisions such as moving, then you’ll need to understand that you must inform your children ahead of the moving date. In addition, it can be hard for them to process that you’ll have to live in an entirely different neighborhood, and they might not understand within your first few attempts to communicate this with them. However, it’s still vital that you let them know about your plans ahead of time.
Doing so will also allow them to bid farewell to friends and take time to process what’s going to happen. You can arrange a small gathering like a farewell party so they can say their goodbyes.
Additionally, always reassure them throughout the moving process. Tell your child that things will stay the same even if you change houses. It would also be good to use their old beddings, toys, or furniture to better adjust to their new environment.
Take a Visit to the New Community
After explaining your plans to them and assuring them about the move, you can boost their interest by taking them to the new community. Show them around the neighborhood and discover new fun locations around the area for their new favourite place in town.
Regardless of how far the destination would be, ensure that you’ll make the trip a special one. To start, prepare a convertible booster seat to keep your child comfortable and safe throughout the ride. Make a thorough plan for the day and visit local places where they can meet children around their age. Visiting the new community will help them get settled in and familiarize them with where they’ll move in.
However, if you’re going to move a long distance and can’t bring them until the day of the move, then you can instead share information with them about their new home. Tell them some interesting facts accompanied with photos. Make a list of what they can expect in the new place, like the food, parks, schools, or even the neighborhood. You can make it as fun as possible and avoid mentioning the place you’re about to leave behind.
Look for a New School as Early as Possible
Education is an essential factor in a child’s development. So, if you’re moving to a new state, it would be best to prepare all the enrollment paperwork. Once your family has finally settled in the area, you can complete the process and have the kid start school as soon as possible.
It would also be a good idea to take your kid for a school tour with their new adviser so they can at least meet a familiar face once they officially start their class. This can also help your child to adjust and feel comfortable.
Get Your Child Involved
Since this is a considerable change in your family, you can try making the most out of it and create some memories. Let your child get involved in the moving process and help them pack their things.
Let them have their box for packing and first order them to declutter and sort all the things in their room. Give them the responsibility to go through their items and let them decide what they’ll be packing or donating. After that, label these boxes so your child can understand.
When you’re on the road, it will help to prepare a separate box or bag that’s filled with their essentials and entertainment. However, if you’re flying to your new place, put these things in carry-on luggage to be accessible. The reason is to keep them occupied the whole journey and ease the pressure or growing uneasiness in moving.
Consider Moving When Your Child Is Asleep
During the day of moving, consider travelling when it’s your child’s nap or bedtime to make your journey smoother. Though you’ll need to stop a few times for bathroom breaks and a bit of stretching, it would help to set off while they’re asleep.
That said, think about setting off around down during the wee hours of the morning. This means several hours of an uninterrupted journey ahead. Remember that children can get irritated if they spend several hours cooped in a train, car, or plane. So, if you’re travelling with a kid, you can expect a rather eventful journey.
Final Thoughts
Moving to a new home is considered a new chapter of a family’s life. Although small children might not entirely comprehend the importance, you must involve them during the process. Make them feel that this will be an important event and help them during the entire journey of moving in. Consider all the things listed above and have a smooth sailing move with the people that’s important to you.
