How to Move with Kids - A Step-by-Step Guide

Packaging and Moving is a very complicated job & It can be a challenge for anyone at any age, but it can be even more stressful when moving with kids who aren’t part of the decision-making process. Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, there are always additional challenges to moving when kids are involved.

So, Moving a toddler is very difficult, Also while uprooting a teenager or switching his school has its own set of challenges. It’s important to aware your child about that everything will be there like their toys, bed , pets etc. and also you will all be there together as a family in your new house. As they understand this, it will be more easier for them to accept this change in their life.

Some Important Steps that you should follow while moving with kids:

1. Make it Routine : Recruiting your kids to handle simple jobs that need to be done prior to your move is a win for both of you. Give them lists that include cleaning duties and items that need to be packed before the move. It helps during the transition phase to stick to the child’s routine for him or her to derive a sense of familiarity. This holds good for even when you have made the move so that the child derives comfort in unfamiliar surroundings. In fact, when setting up the house, ensure you do up the child’s room first so that he draws comfort from familiar objects.
2. Color-code boxes : Keeping boxes organized, especially when you have too many tiny helpers, is no easy feat. Get colorful stickers or tape to mark eachbox for a fast and easy kid-approved organization method.
3. Pack overnight bags for everyone : Make sure every member of the family has a duffle bag with all the essentials. Use these bags for the last night in your old home and first night in your new home.
4. When in doubt, throw it out : Children tend to accumulate a lot of things they don’t need: broken crayons, old school assignments, buckets full of old toys and so on. Between their old junk and your old junk, you probably have adozen boxes’ worth of stuff you don’t need to pack. Throw out as much of that junk as possible to save time and packing tape.
5. Stay in touch with old friends : A large part of the anxiety for kids is to do with losing their friends as also worrying about how they will make new ones. It is important for you to communicate that relocation does not mean losing touch with old friends. Depending on the kid’s age, of course, you can suggest ways and means of keeping in touch, whether it is that once-a-week phone call, letter or staying in touch through social media. Also arranging for a goodbye party or helping them create a scrapbook with memories of their friends will help them make the transition smoothly.
6. Speaking with child’s new teacher : Similarly, speaking to teachers of the new school before joining to apprise them of the child’s anxieties will ensure that they take good care and also facilitate new friendships. In fact, if possible, try and take the child to visit the new school before the formal joining so the child knows what to expect on that day.
7. Stay positive : If there is one mantra that can ease the entire process, it is for parents to remain positive. Focusing on the good things about the move yourself will help you point them out to the child. It could be the fact that you are moving to a bigger house, a better climate or an area that has more facilities, or even that the school has a swimming pool. In due course, the positivity will rub off on the child and he or she will start looking forward to it as a new adventure. Above everything make the move a family event, such that it helps the family bond strongly and support each other through the entire process.

Despite your best efforts do expect some angst when it comes to the child, so that you are prepared to handle the situation better and can help them do the same.