Moving house is one of the most stressful experiences for grown adults, so imagine how scary and confusing it must be for young children!
So many children struggle with the fact that they will have to leave their home, and often in the case of cross country moving, their friends and family behind to move house. So, it is really important that you as a parent, do everything you can to help them through it.
With that in mind, here are some great tips to prepare your kids for your upcoming house move:
Get them involved immediately
Some parents think that keeping the move from their children until it is almost time to pack up and go is a good idea that will save them from stressing, but this can really backfire. Children need time to process too and it is unfair to remove that opportunity from them.
It’s a far better idea to tell them you are moving as soon as you know so that they have time to take it all in. t’s also a really good idea to get them involved if you can. From letting them look at houses with you to getting them involved with the packing, anything that gives them a sense of power and inclusion will help to make the move seem less scary.
Let them design their new bedroom
Something that can really keep kids occupied and get them excited about their house move is letting them choose the decor for their new bedroom. Giving them the opportunity to choose the paint colors and maybe buy some new bedding can really work wonders. However, don’t get rid of all their old things – those familiar objects they have loved for so long will be a real comfort to them in the new place.
Listen to them
It’s really important that you listen to your children and let them discuss their concerns about the move. Don’t shut them down, even if you think their fears are unfounded but do try to explain things factually in a way that they will understand, reassuring them as best you can without lying. This is exactly what your children need right now.
Visit the new place
If it is at all possible to do so, you should try to visit the new place with your children at least once (more is better) before the big mobe. Let them explore the house and garden so they can see where they will be living. But also take the j out to explore all of the cool things in their new neighborhood so that they can see that it’s not so different from home and that actually they could have a lot of fun there, If you can’t visit in person, Google Street View can be a useful alternative to give them a sneak preview.
Moving can be challenging for children, but if you are there to support them and let them work through their feelings, it will go a lot more smoothly.
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