Moving can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. Not only do you need to make sure you packed everything but you also have to deal with the emotions of leaving a place you called home. This stressful process can take its toll on the entire family, which is why you need to prepare all the members of your family for the move. Here’s how you can do that to ensure a smooth transition from one place to another.
Get Organized!
Before you get to talking to your kids, you need to make sure you are ready for the big day. The key to not getting overwhelmed during a move is good organization. So, here’s a couple of tips for getting ready for moving that will help save your sanity.
Create a Moving Checklist
Whether you’re moving for the first time or you already have some experience with big moves, a checklist is necessary if you want to stay on top of all your tasks. You can break it down into several separate checklists. For instance, you can make one for managing the costs, one for services you need to cancel at your current home, etc. If it still sounds overwhelming, here’s a helpful checklist that covers all the minute details of moving.
Make Inventory
Before you decide if you should hire a moving company or try to move by yourself, it would be helpful to make an inventory of your belongings. That will help you see which items you should take with you and which ones are for tossing or selling. Also, knowing what you’re taking with you will allow you to estimate how much your move will cost.
Moving Company: Yes or No?
Whether you should hire a moving company or not will depend on several factors. First off, it depends on how far you’re moving. If it’s a move in the same city to a nearby location, you might make do with a couple of friends’ help. But if you’re moving to another city or country, you should hire a moving company. They know what to do every step of the way and will save you many headaches.
Packing Guide
Packing is where your checklist and inventory list will come in handy. When you already have a list of everything you own, it’s easier to know where to start when packing to move and divide the packing process into smaller chunks. For instance, you can pack by room or by material objects are made from. The most important thing when packing, however, is having enough boxes to fit in all your possessions. There are several kinds of boxes, and each one is made for specific things to put inside them. To avoid packing things in boxes that are too weak, here’s a moving boxes guide to help you get the right ones.
How to Emotionally Prepare Your Family for Moving
It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics of moving and forget that switching to a new home is also a lot to take in emotionally, especially for kids. They thrive on consistency and routines and changing up their rhythm might cause them considerate stress. So, pay special attention to your kids during this process. Here are some tips to help you make the move a bit easier on everyone.
Discuss the Move In Time
No matter how difficult it might seem, you need to talk to your kids about moving sooner rather than later. That way, they will have enough time to process the news and get used to it. Also, try to give them as much information as possible, as that will help them form an idea of a new home in their mind. Show them pictures of the new house and school, or find some fun activities you’ll be able to do when you go to the new city. However, expect both positive and negative reactions. As we mentioned, kids love routine and are scared of change, so it’s completely normal if they’re not on board at first.
Get Them Involved in New Home Decisions
If your new house needs some work done, make sure to ask your kids’ opinions. Whether it’s fresh wall paint or a couple of new furniture pieces, they will have fun helping you. What’s more, it will give them a sense of control of their new surroundings. To make them even more comfortable, consider getting them something new for their bedroom. It will give them something to look forward to!
Allow Them to Say Goodbye to the Old Home
Give your kids enough time to say goodbye to their friends. Make sure to take photos of them together so they can take some memories to the new place. Also, acknowledge that they might miss their old house for some time and reassure them that that’s okay. Before the move, take them to their favorite places, be it a local cinema or ice cream shop. It will provide them with a sense of closure.
Take a Walk Around the New Neighborhood
Once you finish with bringing all the boxes inside, why not take a break to explore the neighborhood before you get on with unpacking? Take the kids to the park and look around for other places they might love, such as toy or book stores. If possible, take them to see their new school. By easing them into it all, they’ll be more comfortable with the changes.
Unpack Their Bedroom First
Make the exhausting day of moving a little easier on your kids by unpacking their bedroom first. The dread of being in a new place surrounded by boxes might be too much for them. So, when you arrive, take out some of their favorite things first. Books, pictures, toys — anything that might make them feel more at home will work.
Conclusion
Although moving is a stressful process, it doesn’t have to be a traumatic one. Make sure to give yourself enough time to organize everything, and consider the emotional toll the move might take on the family. Hopefully, these tips will come in handy and make the move as comfortable as possible.