Moving home is never easy no matter the circumstances. After all, there is nothing fun about packing up your entire life and then moving it somewhere else, even if the end result is worth it! Matters only get even more complicated when you add children to the mix. But it doesn’t need to be this way. Read on to discover some tips on making your moving day as stress-free as possible if you have children.
Let your child get involved
Children like to feel included! They want to do what you are doing, and they want to feel like they have some responsibility. Let them get involved, whether this means packing their toys or labelling the boxes.
Plan meals and snacks in advance
When moving home, most people will go all day without eating because they are so busy and then they will order a takeaway when they get to their new home because they can’t cook and they are shattered. While this may be fine for you and your partner, it is not good for your children. You need to plan their snacks and meals in advance so that they do not go without and become irritable.
Hire a babysitter for the moving day
It is a good idea to hire a babysitter or enlist the help of your family on the moving day so that your children are looked after. No matter whether you are hiring a removal company, you are handling the entire move yourself, or you are looking for storage units near me from Bekins Moving Solutions and other reputable companies, a babysitter is still recommended. This will ensure you can get everything packed and moved efficiently while ensuring your children are occupied throughout the day.
Talk to your child about the move
It is better if you talk to your child about the move and explain everything to them. Ask them how they are feeling and listen to their concerns so you can address them. Your child is likely to be feeling anxious, and simply brushing the matter under the carpet or acting like it is ‘grown up stuff’ and does not concern them is only going to make your child more hostile to the move.
Pack your child’s room last
Last but not least, if possible, you should hold off on packing your children’s things. Make this the last thing you do. This will reduce their stress and your stress because it will ensure your kids feel settled for as long as possible.
So there you have it: follow the tips that have been provided and you can make sure that the moving day goes as smoothly as possible! From arranging a babysitter on the moving day to getting them involved with the move, if you follow these steps you can ensure the move goes well for both you and your children.
Therese has completed the ‘Advanced Child Car Seat Training Course’ at TRL (Transport Research Lab) and is a CPD accredited car seat expert. She blogs about in-car safety, car seats, tips, reviews, giveaways and advice. She’s a mum on a mission to change the law and raise awareness. She is also a breastfeeding advocate and gentle parenting promoter who loves cloth nappies, baby-wearing, BLW and co-sleeping/bed-sharing.