If a move is already a time of stress and overwhelm for us, moving with kids can be a pretty tough stretch for them, full of change and uncertainty.
The first thing to keep in mind is that the worst part for little ones during a move is not knowing: not knowing until the last minute that they’re leaving their current home, not knowing where to, not knowing why…
Involve Them in the Move
That’s why the first piece of advice is to make them part of the process, always within what they can grasp at their age.
Show them photos of the new home, look together on Google Maps to see what the neighbourhood is like, and go for a walk around the area. Let them get familiar with everything and experience it with excitement.
If a child feels part of this decision to move somewhere better, they won’t see it as something imposed and will accept it far more easily.
Pass On the Excitement for Something New
Even though for you it’s a process with plenty to organise that brings some anxiety and nerves, try to stay calm and live it as something joyful, always looking for the fun side of things.
Pack boxes together while reminiscing over what’s inside, furnish their new room with what they choose, decorate it with their favourite bits and pieces, and pick the colour of the walls and the living-room cushions.
Activities That Motivate Them in the New Home
Check guides of activities for kids and the options available in your town, around the new home or within the neighbours’ community, and enjoy quality time together in this new place and stage. That way they’ll see the change as something positive.
Show Each Child What They’ll Love Most About the New Place
If you have more than one child, it’s essential to remember that each one has their own pace: tend to each child where they are and adapt to what they need to cope.
This will also help you learn each child’s tastes so you can show them whatever will catch their eye most in the new place. Whether it’s a pitch to play football, a park with fun swings, a music school or a dance class.
They surely won’t all be excited by the same thing, so you can play to each one’s hobbies.
Keep Their Routines Despite the Change
Maybe the new home has communal areas, more rooms, or you’ve changed jobs… As far as possible, try to keep the same routines and introduce new things gradually, so the shock isn’t so great for them.
Let Them Express Negative Feelings
When moving with kids there will be great moments and others that aren’t so good. They may need to express frustration, sadness, fear or uncertainty about something.
In these situations, we should welcome their emotion, accompany them through the process, and not make them feel it’s wrong to be sad, but rather show them that we understand and are by their side.
Tell Them Similar Stories About Moving Home
In videos, films, or from friends who’ve already been through it… For children, leaving the only home they’ve ever known is something they’d never even imagined could happen.
It’s a good idea to show them films about moving with kids, stories, books with a plot similar to yours… They’ll feel supported and understood seeing how other children went through a similar situation and took positive things from it.
Keep Their Belongings Easy to Find When Moving With Kids
Try not to lose their toys, notebooks and crayons, their favourite clothes… Knowing where everything is and placing it in the new house will help them settle into their new home without a hitch.
Try Not to Move During a Difficult Time
Potty training, a change in diet, a family loss… If we can postpone moving with kids, or wait until it’s over before starting those big changes, it’ll be a less stressful event for your child.
If You Must Change Their School, Keep Them in Touch With Friends
Set up ways for them to stay in touch with their old classmates if, on top of moving, they also have to leave their lifelong friends behind.
Video calls, online games together, outings as a group, an afternoon snack at the new house… This way they’ll see they can keep their friendships even if their surroundings change.
Teach Them to Fit In
Following on from the change of school or after-school activities, this is a key point we often overlook because it simply doesn’t occur to us.
Children may have been with the same school friends forever, so starting the process of making friends again, joining a new sports team or signing up for new activities can feel hard.
That’s why you should show them how to approach a new group of kids, join the game, suggest new plans… Building social bonds is something that has to be learned, so it’s good to start working on it before the change hits all at once and they don’t know how to handle it.
In the end, the most important thing for a successful move with kids is, on one hand, that they have a positive experience and, on the other, that you show them the changes gradually, so they can adjust little by little and welcome everything ahead with joy.
At Mudanzas Trallero we take care of the hard part so you can focus on your family. Ask us for a no-obligation quote and move with peace of mind.
