Moving can be hard on kids, especially when they also have to move schools which is the case for mine. Though we’re not moving far at all, its still a big change for all of us. Although the kids are very excited to move, they did have a lot of questions at the beginning and there have been moments of sadness (as can be expected). So I thought it might be helpful to share what we’ve been doing to help ease the transition for them.
1. Talking to them about the move
This is such a simple and obvious tip but talking to our kids and including them in the process has really helped. We took our kids with us house hunting so they knew we were looking into moving. I will admit it did confuse them a bit at first. They thought every house we saw was going to be our new one. In hindsight I’d probably not take my kids with me to view homes until we found one we really liked… but that’s not always possible. I’d also definitely have talked to them a bit more about the idea of moving before we started looking at homes.
Once we started having conversations about it, it really helped them understand what moving means. They had a lot of questions like: could they bring their stuff with them? – we told them of course everything would come with us. They asked if their walls could come (so adorable!). We told them the walls and paint had to stay but that we could do their new rooms in the same way again or a fun new way! That got them excited! We talked about what happens when you move and why we are moving. We continue to talk about their new school (and we are going on a tour of it soon). We also drive by the new house occasionally and the new school and talk about how exciting it will all be.
2. Involving the kids in the packing
I have involved the kids in the packing process and they have loved helping us pack. I also think it comforts them to help and to see that their clothes and toys are coming with us (they don’t just come home and wonder where all their stuff is!). I often give them a box and they fill it. They feel proud to help and to write their name on the boxes. I sometimes have to repack the boxes but that’s ok 😉
3. A countdown
I downloaded a simple free app onto my phone and we’ve been counting down the days until our move together. This has gotten them really excited and they ask daily to check how many days are left!
4. Bringing them to the new home after they’re rooms are somewhat set up.
Moving day can be chaotic to say the least! We plan to have family watch the kids for most of the day while we move items to the new place. We are not moving far so this should work out well. I am hoping to get their beds and toys set up in their new rooms before they come over so when they walk in, it will already feel a bit like their own rooms. Their rooms will also be some of the first rooms I work on in the new home – painting, adding trim work etc.
5. A welcome gift from the new house
I plan to create a little welcome gift for the kids from the house. It won’t be anything too big, I’m thinking a pool floot and a new towel for each of them since our new place has a pool and I know they’re excited about it. Other ideas I thought about were a new backpack and lunchbox for their new school or a new decor piece or toy for their rooms. There are also some really cute childrens books about moving that would be cute to read that first night before bed.
These tips have helped us a lot and have really gotten the kids excited about the whole process. Hopefully they can help anyone else who’s moving soon too!
xo
Rachel
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