Moving is stressful for everyone, especially children. They may feel overwhelmed by the changes and may not fully understand what is happening and why. Communication and planning can make the transition easier.
Tell Your Kids What to Expect
Talk about the move frequently in the days and weeks leading up to it. Let your kids express the range of emotions and worries they may be feeling and encourage them to ask questions. The more details you provide, the less confused and anxious they will feel.
Shortly before the move, hold a family meeting. Discuss what will happen on moving day, such as when everyone will wake up, when the movers will arrive and how they will pack your family’s belongings into a moving truck and drive them to your new home.
Tell your kids how your family will get to your new house. If you’re moving locally, you’ll probably travel by car. If you’re planning a long-distance move, tell your kids if you will travel by plane or if you will drive and stay somewhere overnight.
If you have pets, make sure your children understand what will happen to them. For instance, tell your kids if your pets will ride in the car with you to go to your new home immediately or if they will stay with someone while you get settled at the new house.
Moving Day Tips
Give your kids an opportunity to walk through the empty house before you set off for your new home. Taking one last look around will provide them with a sense of closure.
Assign age-appropriate tasks to your kids. These could be things like keeping pets and younger siblings occupied or distributing cold beverages to the movers.
You should also plan some fun activities for them to do once you arrive at the new house. These could include coloring, playing a game in the yard, drawing on the driveway with chalk or playing video games.
Pack a box for each child to open as soon as you arrive at your new home. These boxes may include each child’s favorite books, toys and stuffed animals. Have your kids decorate their boxes with markers, crayons and stickers so they will be able to spot them easily as they come off the moving truck.
Talk about how to decorate your children’s bedrooms in advance and make setting up their rooms a top priority. Sleeping in their own beds with their belongings unpacked will make your kids feel secure in their new home.
Explain Things to Your Kids So They Feel Comfortable on Moving Day
Moving can be overwhelming and frightening for children, but those feelings often come from not understanding what is happening or not knowing what to expect. Talk to your kids and include them in the planning process to minimize the amount of stress they experience.
