Any kind of change in the home can be overwhelming for children, from rearranging furniture to moving their bedroom. Understandably, moving into another home can affect them hardest of all. Children are typically more attached to their home, friends from the neighborhood, the familiar streets and everything around them than adults—that’s why it’s important to spend some more time explaining to your children why you have to move and to plan the whole process carefully in order to save them any unnecessary stress.
The Beginning of the End
Fortunately, moving and relocation companies can take care of packing and moving all your furniture and belongings. When you finally have finished packing and moving, the best part comes – to take a last look back. For children, however, it is the hardest part of all. To say “goodbye” is difficult, and while you may be excited to move into a new home, children often fear the unknown. The next few tips will help you gracefully handle the situation.
A Short Trip
Even if you’ve shown the new home to whole family, plan a tour to the new area. Of course, start from the new home. Explain to your children how rooms are going to be allocated, especially their own. Try to get them to imagine what it will be like to live there, emphasizing all of the home’s wonderful qualities—maybe they’ll have a bigger bedroom or a better view out their window, or will be closer to the bedroom. Then leave them alone to imagine what it’ll be like when you move in.
Box of Memories
Make sure that every precious family recollection is packed in a box and moved to the new apartment. For children that is something really important. Ensure that everything is packed together and the box is labeled, so you start the unpacking process with it—this will establish a smooth transition and give the child the comfort of continuity. Also, assigning a task to each child can get their minds off the strangeness of the house; have them help unpack their own things.
Throw a Party
It’s probably not a good idea to throw a party immediately after moving, but you can still organize a special family dinner during the first night in your new home or to set up a picnic in the middle of the living room. Another option is to dedicate the first night to meeting some of the neighbors or to explore the neighborhood.
The Special Bedroom
One of the first rooms you should arrange is the kids’ room. After you arrange the most essential things in the house, dedicate all your time to that special room. It’s better to engage the kids in the process letting them unpack their boxes, even with your help. Unpacking of posters, paintings and photos, and their favorite bed-linens would help them accept the new situation. Their bedroom must be ordered as soon as possible after the transfer, and you should try to make it as comfortable as the old one they used to sleep in.
Back to Basics
Children cling to repetition and routine. Regularly repetitive actions calm them and make them feel secure. As soon as possible, restore the usual schedule at home and return to the normal routine. Observe the hours of sleeping, eating and playing. If you used to walk in the park, find one near your new home. Soon enough, your child will think of your new home as her home.
About the author: Ella Andrews is a writer for the MoversLondon.net website, a company that provides all kinds of services regarding removals from start to finish. This includes EU moves, house and office removals, man and van services, and packing and boxes.
