Whether you are moving home to make room for a new arrival, or have finally found your dream property, moving house – especially with young children in tow – can be a difficult and stressful process.
We temporarily moved home back in 2017 as we embarked on a self-build project which lasted approximately 10-months. During this period we welcomed Lewis into the world and the move became that little bit more challenging. And while he was only a small baby, there were a few things we had to take into account when moving home, although this decision process would certainly have been longer had he been an older child or even a teenager.
So, with that in mind, here are five tips that could help make moving home as easy as possible – for you and your little one(s).
1. Let your children know what is going on
We are all a little afraid of the unknown, especially when we aren’t sure what is next or are in a new place. Therefore, young children and even teenagers may be particularly overwhelmed at the idea of moving home, especially if they view their current home as their safe space.
As a result, you should always keep them informed about what is happening. Take them to see the new property several times before you move in. Show them which room will be theirs. Tell them about all of the fun you will have there!
Once you have moved, take the extra steps to create a calm and happy home for your children. Create the kind of space where they will quickly feel relaxed and settled.
2. Involve them in decisions
Another great way to help your child get excited about moving home is by letting them make a few small decisions. For example, they can help select what colour they are going to paint their new room or give their opinion on the new furniture you are buying.
Whilst, of course, you will make the final decision, it’s important they are part of the conversation. As Lewis is getting older we’re getting him involved in decisions on furniture in his room and even in some cases how we position furniture and other things around the house.
3. Use storage
Children can often require a lot of storage as they go through toys like they are going out of fashion, and clothing which fits one minute and doesn’t the next! But for young kids in particular, they’re often items we don’t want to get rid of. So when it comes to moving home, you’ll likely have a lot of your kids belongings to get through.
As a result, you must start packing early and ensure everything is kept safe and secure. After all, you don’t want to be the person responsible for a beloved item going missing. A storage unit is a great place to store your boxes once they are ready to go, and this can make unpacking less stressful. It also means your beloved items are safe and protected.
4. Help them say goodbye
As mentioned previously, children often carry feelings of anxiety and stress along with them when they move into a new situation. Therefore, in order to help with this, you should take the time to say goodbye to their old home.
If you’re moving town, visit their favourite places a few more times. Share stories about the fun you’ve had. Then, talk about the fun they will have in their new home!
5. Unpack their room first
You can help your child feel comfortable in their new home by setting up their space first. After unpacking any essentials, start decorating their room, building their furniture, and unboxing their toys. This will allow them to relax and unwind, as they will be around things that they are familiar with.
This also means they can play with their toys and games whilst you focus on unpacking the rest of the house.
Got Something to Add?
Have you moved house with kids and have additional tips to add? Share them in the comments section below.
Until next time, thanks for reading.
Helen, Nial and Lewis.
Welcome to Pikalily, an award-winning food, travel and lifestyle blog. We are Nial and Helen, a happily married couple from Northern Ireland, who share a passion for food and travel among many things. We became parents to our beautiful boy Lewis in 2017. Follow our adventures through the blog.
