Moving with Children
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Travel
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Even going on holiday can be a transition for your children. Moving house, whether internationally or even just down the road can be a lot for them to handle, because their familiarity is being taken from them. For many children, however old they are, moving house is difficult as it means leaving friends, memories and familiar places behind. The entire moving process can create a lot of stress for you and your family, so it is vital that you properly browse a selection of removal companies and choose one that is going to make the move go as smoothly and stress free as possible. When it comes to the kids, there are a few extra things that you, as a parent can do to make sure that your children are happy and comfortable in your new home:
Getting Everyone Involved
It’s very important not to let the kids take a back seat in the moving process. They are just as much part of the process as you are; it is their new home too. You want them to be just as excited as you are about your new house, so take the time to listen to your children and identify what their fears are about the move. Properly chat about their thoughts and ensure them that you have taken their needs into consideration.
It can take children a while to adjust to their new environment, and therefore, before you move, it might be a good idea to take your children to see the new house. This way, the kids can familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Let them have a look around their new room so that they can start to look forward to their arrival and plan where all their possessions will sit in their new room. When a trip isn’t possible, try and take lots of photos of your home and the location it is situated in, so that your kids can gain a greater understanding of where they will be living when they leave the house they know behind.
It may even be a good idea to get their input on decisions which will affect the entire family in the new home. Choices such as: ‘Where will the TV go?’ Letting them help decide will make them feel more in control of their future, even if it is just in a minor way.
Saying Goodbye
Leaving friends behind can be the most difficult part of moving for your kids. This is why it is so important that you let them say goodbye to their friends, neighbours, and teachers properly. Offer to throw them a goodbye party and invite all of their friends, and anyone who have been of some importance to them. Encourage them to give out their new address, or email address to their friends and your teenage kids, remind them that they will constantly be able to contact their friends through different types of social media, like Facebook and Twitter.
Looking Forward
When you leave your home, possibly the home where you’ve primarily raised your kids, you will inevitably be leaving memories behind. This will be the same for your children. Therefore, it is important to get them excited and help them see that many new memories can be built in your new home in the near future. Sit down with them and research the area where you will be living, and note down some places where you can visit together as a family unit. Help them get excited by signing them up to extra-curricular activities, ensuring them that they will make lots of new friends and create memories.
Photo credit: stephaniemezcurra
Getting Everyone Involved
It’s very important not to let the kids take a back seat in the moving process. They are just as much part of the process as you are; it is their new home too. You want them to be just as excited as you are about your new house, so take the time to listen to your children and identify what their fears are about the move. Properly chat about their thoughts and ensure them that you have taken their needs into consideration.
It can take children a while to adjust to their new environment, and therefore, before you move, it might be a good idea to take your children to see the new house. This way, the kids can familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Let them have a look around their new room so that they can start to look forward to their arrival and plan where all their possessions will sit in their new room. When a trip isn’t possible, try and take lots of photos of your home and the location it is situated in, so that your kids can gain a greater understanding of where they will be living when they leave the house they know behind.
It may even be a good idea to get their input on decisions which will affect the entire family in the new home. Choices such as: ‘Where will the TV go?’ Letting them help decide will make them feel more in control of their future, even if it is just in a minor way.
Saying Goodbye
Leaving friends behind can be the most difficult part of moving for your kids. This is why it is so important that you let them say goodbye to their friends, neighbours, and teachers properly. Offer to throw them a goodbye party and invite all of their friends, and anyone who have been of some importance to them. Encourage them to give out their new address, or email address to their friends and your teenage kids, remind them that they will constantly be able to contact their friends through different types of social media, like Facebook and Twitter.
Looking Forward
When you leave your home, possibly the home where you’ve primarily raised your kids, you will inevitably be leaving memories behind. This will be the same for your children. Therefore, it is important to get them excited and help them see that many new memories can be built in your new home in the near future. Sit down with them and research the area where you will be living, and note down some places where you can visit together as a family unit. Help them get excited by signing them up to extra-curricular activities, ensuring them that they will make lots of new friends and create memories.
Photo credit: stephaniemezcurra
